WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue (13-38, 4-14 B1G) struggled to gain momentum on offense as Minnesota (31-14, 14-3 B1G) took down the Boilermakers 4-0 at Bittinger Stadium. Minnesota out-hit Purdue by a narrow margin of 6-to-5 but walks proved to be the difference as the Gophers took advantage of six free passes without giving up a single walk to the Boilermakers.
Sydney Bates allowed just three earned runs over the course of seven innings, allowing her defense to go to work as she registered just one strikeout. Emily Kenny and Maya Hughes combined for eight putouts in the outfield and both made plays preventing runs from scoring. Kenny gunned down a runner at the plate while Hughes was able to make a strong throw home in order to hold a Gopher at third on a sacrifice fly opportunity.
Purdue's five hits were scattered throughout the game with the first base knock coming in the fourth on a liner up the middle by Stephanie Ramsey. The Boilermakers were then able to get back-to-back two-out singles by Madison Douglass and Alexa Binckes the ensuing inning but a groundout allowed the Gophers to escape the frame with their lead in tact. Purdue threatened again in the seventh with consecutive singles by Emily Kenny and Rachel Krzysko but Minnesota responded with a pair of strikeouts to earn the victory.
Purdue and Minnesota finish their series Sunday at Noon ET. The game marks the final matchup at Bittinger Stadium making it Senior Day for Purdue's five senior Boilermakers.
