March 16, 2000
TAMPA, Fla. - The Purdue softball team split its first two games at the USF-Clearwater Invitational in Clearwater, Fla., Thursday afternoon. The Boilers, 11-12 overall, downed Seton Hall 3-0, behind an 11-strikeout performance by senior Crystal Inman and fell 7-3 to Southern Illinois.
"There were two different Purdue teams that played today," coach Carol Bruggeman said. "Against Southern Illinois we came out flat and disinterested, and the results reflect that. Against Seton Hall we resembled the team we need to be. We were into the game for seven innings, we hit the ball well and our senior, Crystal (Inman), pitched a fantastic game."
Against the Saluki's, Purdue could only manage the three runs on four hits, while striking out a season high nine times. The Boilers jumped out to a an early 1-0 run in the second, but saw their lead slip away surrendering two runs in the third, two in the fourth, one in the fifth and two in the sixth. Nicole Crouse took the loss for the Boilers, falling to 2-3 for the season. The sophomore surrendered two runs in 2.1 innings pitched, striking out one, while walking one.
Needing a lift in the second game, Bruggeman turned to Inman. The senior responded by hurling her second consecutive complete game shutout, to run her record to 3-0 for the season. Over the last 14 innings, Inman has allowed three singles without surrendering a run. Against the Pirates, Inman struckout a Seton Hall batter in every inning, including all three in the third, two in the fifth and the final two batters in the seventh.
"I felt good out there today," Inman said. "The team needed a lift after the first game. I just wanted to go out a set a good tempo. It was important to keep my defense relaxed and playing well, we came out and played our type of game against Seton Hall. Our team energy, both on offense and defense, was the biggest difference between the two games."
Offensively for the Boilers, sophomore Katie Crabtree hit her team leading fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot in the sixth, to drive home senior Skeeter Nixon.
The Boilers will take on Canisius and host South Florida on Friday, before moving to bracket play on Saturday and Sunday.