Feb. 20, 2000
By Tom Schott
RALEIGH N.C. - The Purdue softball team left here Sunday evening playing its best of the young season.
The Boilermakers rolled over Wright State 6-2 in the Triangle Classic bronze medal bracket consolation final to finish the tournament with a 3-3 record. They now are 4-7 overall and riding a season-best two-game winning streak.
While continuing to get solid pitching, the Boilermakers came alive offensively with season highs of 11 hits and six stolen bases. Right fielder Shahara Nixon led the way with three hits, two steals and one RBI. First baseman Heidi Foster and designated player Danica Maher both collected two hits, with Foster also driving in two runs.
After going 1-for-9 at the plate the first three games of the tournament, Nixon was 7-for-10 over the final three games with three stolen bases.
It was 2-apiece after three and a half innings before the Boilermakers erupted for four runs on six hits in their half of the fourth inning off Wright State relief pitcher Kim Sycks. They also had three steals in the frame.
Then it was up to freshman pitcher Leighann Burke, who worked 3.1 scoreless innings in relief of starter Crystal Inman. Burke (2-3) scattered two hits with no walks and two strikeouts.
"That was a little more like it," Purdue coach Carol Bruggeman said. "I feel like for the first time this year that was our team. We hit the ball, were aggressive on the bases, pitched well and made plays defensively. Hopefully, it's a sign of good things to come."
The Boilermakers next play in the UC-Santa Barbara Tournament from Feb. 25-27.