STARKVILLE, Miss. – North Dakota State softball fell to Purdue University 2-1 Wednesday afternoon at Nusz Park, as the Boilermakers scored two unanswered runs in their last two innings at the plate to top the Bison.
 
NDSU (14-11) would threaten early, as Emilee Buringa drew a leadoff walk and Carley Goetschius had a single to start the game. The Bison would get the baserunners to second and third but stranded them in scoring position. NDSU would again get the first two batters on in the fourth inning, but were unable to advance the baserunners past second.
 
However, NDSU would find a breakthrough in the fifth inning. After Skylar Padgett was hit by a pitch, she was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and with two outs, Goetschius would hit the first pitch she faced into left field for an RBI single, as Padgett scored from second.
 
Purdue (12-8) would answer right back to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth, also with a two-out single and a run scoring from second. The Boilermakers would then take the lead in the sixth inning, hitting a leadoff home run to go in front 2-1 with the final run of the game.
 
Lainey Lyle picked up the loss allowing both runs on seven hits in five innings of work. She finished with two strikeouts. Piper Reed tossed a scoreless inning in relief, recording two strikeouts as well.
 
Goetschius finished with two of the four hits for the Bison. Anjolee Aguilar-Beaucage and Kaylee Moore had the other hits.
 
The Bison will be right back in action against Purdue on Thursday, as the two teams meet for a second time, but in Oxford, Mississippi at the Ole Miss Softball Complex to kick off the Rebel Invitational. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.