May 1, 1999
· Game One Box Score
· Game Two Box Score
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A few bad breaks at inopportune times plagued the Purdue softball team (29-23, 8-11 Big Ten) on Saturday. The Boilers fell to Iowa (36-22-1, 10-8) in two tightly played games 4-3 and 4-2. The final game of the series will be on Sunday at 1 p.m. with a special senior salute scheduled for approximately 12:40 p.m. at the Varsity Softball Complex.
Purdue battled back in both games after falling behind early. In game one, senior Kristin Billen delivered a two-out, two-run single in the sixth inning to tie the score at 3-3. An inning later, Iowa loaded the bases and scored the go-ahead run with two outs on a ground ball by Lisa Rasche that was too tough to handle for shortstop Jenny Barnett. Kristi Hanks (14-9) was the winning pitcher for the Hawkeyes, while Nicole Crouse (13-12) suffered the loss. Crouse threw all seven innings, but didn't allow a single earned run as the Boilers committed four errors.
In game two, Purdue was behind 1-0 in the second inning when freshman Chrissy Davie came through with a two-out, two-run single to give the Boilers a 2-1 advantage. The lead stood until the fifth inning when the Hawkeyes rattled off five straight hits, including three infield singles, to score three runs. Kelly Zeilstra (15-11) was the winning pitcher for the third time against Purdue this year, while Meagan Dooley took the loss (14-10).
Defensively, Sam Mercier turned in an outstanding performance for the Boilermakers. The senior from San Clemente, Calif., prevented at least four Iowa runs with her spectacular glove play. In the first game, Mercier made a diving catch with two outs to strand Iowa runners at second and third. In the third inning of game two, Mercier single-handedly ended the Hawkeyes' rally. With runners on second and third and no outs, Mercier fielded a ground ball and quickly threw home to catcher Keely Povlitz for the tag out. The next batter was a victim of one of Mercier's patented double plays. After picking up a slow grounder, Mercier lunged to tag the baserunner and then threw to first for the twin killing.
Offensively, Katie Crabtree was the only Boiler to manage hits in both games. The freshman from Bloomington, Ill., was 3-for-7 on the day with two runs scored.
R H EIowa 4 3 2Purdue 3 6 4
Purdue 2 4 1Iowa 4 10 1