March 29, 2000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue softball team swept a two game set against Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind., Wednesday afternoon. The Boilermakers, 19-16 on the season, defeated the Sycamores 7-1 in the first game and 1-0 in the second.
"These were two outstanding games," coach Carol Bruggeman said. "Two games that were complete opposites of each other. We hit very well and let our offense carry us in the first and in the second it was the defense and Nicole (Crouse) on the mound. It was our goal to come down here, win both these games and head in to the Big Ten season on a positive note."
In the first game of the double-header, the story was the offense. Led by Katie Crabtree, who hit her sixth home run of the season, the Boilermakers scored two in the first, third and sixth and one in the seventh, collecting 10 hits along the way.
Crabtree's two-run shot in the first tied the single season record set in 1997 by Jennifer Blasnick and Jenny Schoen and moved the sophomore shortstop into a tie for fourth with Susan Denny on the all-time list with nine.
Starter Meagan Dooley picked up her sixth win of the season, giving up one run on four hits in four innings pitched. She struck out one and walked none. Crystal Inman pitched the final three innings to pick up her second save on the season, moving her into a tie for second with Jamie Deno on the career list with five.
Crabtree finished the first contest 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Chrissy Davie and Danika Nice each picked up doubles, the second for both on the season. Davie finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBI, a run scored and made an extra-base saving catch in right field in the third.
The second game proved to be a will of pitching and defense. Starter Nicole Crouse surrendered only one hit in 6.2 innings of work, while ISU's Cathy Yamashiro allowed only two in seven.
Tied scoreless heading into the seventh, the Boilermakers turned to Crabtree, who came through with a lead-off, solo shot to left center to put Purdue on the board and in the lead. Her second home run of the afternoon secured her the single season record with seven and left her alone in fourth on the career list with 10, one away from the second place tie of Blasnick and Kristie Boland.
Crouse, who cruised through the ISU line-up all game, surrendered the lone hit in the fifth inning. She appeared to have the game in hand, retiring the first two Sycamores in the bottom of the ninth before giving up back-to-back walks and a hit batter to load the bases. Bruggeman called on Leighann Burke out of the bullpen to shut the door and seal the victory. Taking the count to 3-and-1, the freshman southpaw got Keri Przygocki to ground out weakly to Jessica Jones at third to end the game.
Crouse (4-4) picked up her fourth win of the season, striking out three, while walking five with Burke notching her second save. Crabtree finished the game 2-for-3.
The Boilermakers will open up the Big Ten season with a double-header against Michigan State on Friday at 2 p.m. at the Varsity Softball Complex.