WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. ââ'¬" The Boilermakers tallied a run on five hits, but couldn't overtake the Northwestern Wildcats in a 3-1 decision on Sunday.
In the final home contest for seniors Katie Harrison, CJ Parsons, Lexi Valone, Sydney Pencek, Mary Gooding Paris Andrew and Lilly Fecho, Parsons and Gooding accounted for two of Purdue's five hits. Junior Kristen Hoppman, sophomore Kaylah Hampton and freshman Emily Kenny each added one as well.
Northwestern scored its three runs on seven hits and two errors. Kenzie Ellis (7-6) struck out two in four and two thirds innings en route to the win. Amy Letourneau wrapped up the contest in the circle for the Wildcats, earning the save. Fecho struck out two in the complete game effort for Purdue.
Northwestern scored first, putting up a run on two hits in the opening stanza. Two singles and a walk filled the bases. A one-out ground ball to third base brought in the run and a strikeout stranded two.
Senior Mary Gooding tallied the Boilermakers' first hit with a rocket shot back at the pitcher with one out in the first, but the team couldn't bring her home.
Sophomore Kaylah Hampton and senior CJ Parsons managed two-out singles in the second, but the Boilermakers came up empty despite aggressive base running efforts.
The Wildcats added two runs on a hit and an error in the third. A single and a walk set up a double steal and a throwing error allowed the first run to score. A ground ball to the shortstop brought in the second to put Northwestern up 3-0.
Freshman Lexi Huffman drew a two-out walk in the fourth, but the Boilermakers could not capitalize.
Purdue did take advantage of a free base in the fifth, turning it into its first run. Senior Sydney Pencek reached on a two-out walk, as an illegal pitch overturned a fly out. Penecek went to third as junior Kristen Hoppman reached and took second on a fielding error. A wild pitch allowed Pencek to scurry home before a fly ball ended the inning.
The Boilermakers put two on via hit by pitch in the sixth as freshman Lauren Stewart took one off the elbow and promptly stole second and Huffman joined her after being plunked. A double play ended the inning.
Kenny kept the game going for the Boilermakers with a two-out, pinch hit single in the seventh, but a pop up prevented Purdue from completing the rally bid.
The Boilermakers (27-27, 8-15 Big Ten) will return to action on Thursday at the Big Ten Tournament in University Park, Pa.