LINCOLN, Neb. ââ'¬" A pair of unearned runs in the seventh inning lifted Nebraska to a 4-3 win over the Boilermakers on Saturday to end the series.
Purdue scored its three runs on six hits and two errors, while Nebraska managed its four runs on nine hits and an error. Junior Kristen Hoppman and freshman Lauren Stewart tallied two hits apiece to lead the Boilermakers.
Reliever Emily Lockman (7-3) allowed just a run on two hits over the final two stanzas for the Huskers, en route to the win. Kaylan Jablonski went five innings, striking out two. For the Boilermakers, senior Lilly Fecho (18-11) struck out two in the complete-game effort.
Senior Mary Gooding tallied the first hit of the game, sending a one-out single into left field in the opening stanza, but a fielder's choice and fly ball left her stranded.
Nebraska put its leadoff aboard in the first and second with singles, but the Boilermaker defense held. A fielder's choice and a double play erased the hit in the second.
The Huskers loaded the bases on a double, a walk and a single in the third, but the Boilermakers recorded two fielder's choice plays at the plate and nabbed a line shot to third base to escape the inning unscathed.
Nebraska loaded the bases again in the fourth on a single, a double and a walk, and capitalized with a two-out, two RBI single to take a 2-0 lead.
Stewart led off the Boilermaker first with a single, took second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on an error, which put freshman Lexi Huffman on base. A double play and a fly out, however, kept Purdue off the scoreboard.
The Boilermakers turned their second double play of the game in the fifth inning to nullify a leadoff walk.
Purdue plated three runs on three hits and an error in the sixth to take a 3-2 lead. Sophomore Maya Hughes led off the inning with a triple up the right field line and promptly came home on a double to right center by Hoppman. Hoppman went to third on a fly ball and scored as a fielding error by the pitcher put freshman Emily Kenny on. Senior Katie Harrison walked and Stewart reached on a single to the pitcher to load the bases. A ground ball to second base gave Huffman an RBI and Purdue the 3-2 edge. Another grounder ended the inning.
Nebraska stole away the win with a pair of unearned runs in the final stanza. A single and an intentional walk put two on. A fielding error allowed the first score and put runners at the corners. A single to center field accounted for the game winner.
The Boilermakers (27-24, 8-12 Big Ten) wrap up the regular season with a three-game homestand against Northwestern next weekend. Game times are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday.