The Purdue Northwest Softball team opened the 2026 season Wednesday afternoon at the Lewis Dome Invitational, falling to Missouri S&T, 13-3, in six innings at the Rosemont Dome.

The Basics

• Records: Purdue Northwest (0-1), Missouri S&T (9-3)
• Location: Rosemont Dome – Rosemont, Illinois
• Attendance: 75

The Breakdown

• Missouri S&T struck early in the top of the first inning on an RBI double from T. Nelson to take a 1-0 lead.
• Purdue Northwest answered right back in the bottom half of the inning. Senior Olivia Hernandez (Aurora, Ill./Aurora Central Catholic) singled up the middle to drive in a run, and sophomore Kylie Madura (Munster, Ind./Munster) reached on an error that allowed another run to score, giving the Pride a 2-1 advantage after one.
• The Miners evened the score in the second inning with an RBI single from C. Lopez to make it 2-2.
• Missouri S&T pulled ahead in the third inning after M. Williams delivered a two-run single to left center, pushing the lead to 4-2.
• The Miners added three more runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by an RBI single from M. Fitzgeral, a sacrifice fly by T. Grobe and a bases-loaded walk, extending the advantage to 7-2.
• Missouri S&T continued to build momentum in the fifth. An outfield error allowed a run to score before Nelson connected on a two-run home run to left field, stretching the lead to 10-2.
• The Pride picked up their third run in the bottom of the fifth when Hernandez laced a ground-rule double, her second two-bagger of the game, to bring home junior Kylie Dugan (Buck Creek, Ind./William Henry Harrison) and make it 10-3.
• Missouri S&T plated three more runs in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch to secure the 13-3 victory in six innings.
• Hernandez led Purdue Northwest offensively, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs.
• The Pride tallied seven hits as a team, with senior Amanda DeBoer (Dyer, Ind./Illiana Christian), Dugan, freshman Jessy Del Toro (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central) and freshman Gracie Jensen (Chicago Heights, Ill./Marian Catholic) each recording a hit.
• Sophomore Abbey Bond (Saint John, Ind./Andrean) earned the start in the circle for Purdue Northwest, pitching three innings with four earned runs and two strikeouts. Senior Hailie Charmat (South Bend, Ind./John Adams) and sophomore Jordyn Roop (Hudson, Ill./University) also saw action in relief.
• Missouri S&T finished with 11 hits and was led by Nelson, who went 2-for-2 with a home run, double and three RBIs, while Lopez scored four runs in the contest.

• PNW continues the Lewis Dome Invitational on Thursday, February 19 playing in two games. The Pride take on Upper Iowa at 11:00 AM CT and then Bemidji State at 1:30 PM CT at the Rosemont Dome in Rosemont, Illinois.