MINNEAPOLIS - The Purdue softball team suffered a 5-1 setback in its first of three games against No. 19/15 Minnesota on Friday at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium.
With the loss, Purdue falls to 24-11 on the season and 2-2 in Big Ten action.
Ignited by an RBI single from Natalie DenHartog, the Golden Gophers struck first with three runs in the bottom of the opening frame.
Minnesota extended its advantage with runs in the second and third inning, capitalizing on a wild pitch and a double from DenHartog.
Junior Madison Douglass brought home the lone Boilermaker run in the seventh as senior Jenny Behan doubled to right center and senior Lexi Huffman reached on a hit-by-pitch, before the junior delivered an RBI single up the middle to plate Behan.
Purdue then proceeded to load the bases as freshman Kendall Chase drew a walk. However, Minnesota pitcher Amber Fiser would keep the Boilermakers from capitalizing and secure the conference win for the Gophers.
Senior Kaitlynn Moody (8-4) took the loss after allowing four runs on two hits in two innings of work. Freshman Alex Echazarreta and senior Maddie Damon pitched 0.1 and 3.2 innings of relief, respectively. Damon topped the Boilermaker pitching staff with four strikeouts.
Purdue totaled three hits with zero errors, while the Gophers tallied four hits and one miscue. Behan paced the Boilermakers with a hit and a run in three trips to the plate.
Both teams return for the second game of the series Saturday. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. ET and will be streamed on BTN Plus.
With the loss, Purdue falls to 24-11 on the season and 2-2 in Big Ten action.
Ignited by an RBI single from Natalie DenHartog, the Golden Gophers struck first with three runs in the bottom of the opening frame.
Minnesota extended its advantage with runs in the second and third inning, capitalizing on a wild pitch and a double from DenHartog.
Junior Madison Douglass brought home the lone Boilermaker run in the seventh as senior Jenny Behan doubled to right center and senior Lexi Huffman reached on a hit-by-pitch, before the junior delivered an RBI single up the middle to plate Behan.
Purdue then proceeded to load the bases as freshman Kendall Chase drew a walk. However, Minnesota pitcher Amber Fiser would keep the Boilermakers from capitalizing and secure the conference win for the Gophers.
Senior Kaitlynn Moody (8-4) took the loss after allowing four runs on two hits in two innings of work. Freshman Alex Echazarreta and senior Maddie Damon pitched 0.1 and 3.2 innings of relief, respectively. Damon topped the Boilermaker pitching staff with four strikeouts.
Purdue totaled three hits with zero errors, while the Gophers tallied four hits and one miscue. Behan paced the Boilermakers with a hit and a run in three trips to the plate.
Both teams return for the second game of the series Saturday. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. ET and will be streamed on BTN Plus.