March 4, 1999
TAMPA, Fla. - The high temperatures in Tampa, Fla., warmed up the bats of the Purdue softball team in day one of the Speedline Invitational. The Boilers totaled 20 hits on the day, including two homeruns to over power seventh-ranked Texas 6-5 and conference rival Michigan State 6-1 to improve to 5-2 overall on the young spring season.
To open the afternoon, Purdue jumped out to an early lead against Texas by putting three runs on the scoreboard in top of the second. Freshman Katie Crabtree started the rally with her first of two doubles in the game and senior Mandy Smart kept things rolling with a single and captain Sam Mercier pushed a single through the hole to score the baserunners.
After a half of an inning on defense, Purdue picked up right were it left off by crossing the plate three more times in the top of the third. This time it was a captain Kristen Billen walk that started the ball rolling. Lynne Tortorelli was put in to pinch run for the captain and later scored her first run of the year on a Smart base hit.
The Longhorns made a comeback in the sixth and seventh innings, but strong freshman pitching by Meagan Dooley curbed the Texas spurt. The newcomer recorded three strikeouts and only two walks in her seven innings of work.
Against the Spartans, it was classmate Nicole Crouse who took the mound for the Boilers. The freshman pitched a one-run complete game, while picking up her second win of the year, but it was the Purdue offense that took over. Purdue totaled 12 hits in the victory, including a solo-homerun by Mercier and three-run homer by senior Denise Szany. For both classmates, the dingers were first of the year and only third of their careers.
Purdue will take the field at 11 a.m. when they will face Tennessee-Chattanooga and will compete against Temple at 1 p.m. tomorrow.
R H EPurdue 6 8 4Texas 5 7 3
Michigan State 1 6 1Purdue 6 12 0