May 6, 2000
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue softball team defeated archrival Indiana 1-0 in Bloomington, Ind., on Saturday to move one victory away from its second ever conference tournament berth. Heading into today's game in seventh place, the Boilermakers (33-25, 6-9 Big Ten) moved up a spot by virtue of its victory and Michigan State's 3-1 loss to Michigan. The Boilers can clinch the final berth in the six-team Big Ten Tournament with a victory over the Hoosiers on Sunday or another Spartan loss to Michigan.
"We're right where we want to be," coach Carol Bruggeman said. "To play for a chance to go to the post season at home, on the last day, is a great way end the regular season. We have control over how our regular season ends. We can go out and take care of business against Indiana tomorrow and not worry about the other games."
The Boilermakers collected just three hits on the afternoon against the Hoosiers, but would need only one of them to win. Sophomore Katie Crabtree hit her fourth home run in four games over the right field wall in the fourth for the game's lone run. The shortstop, leading the team on the season with 12, moved into a tie for first with Jenny Schoen on Purdue's career list at 15.
Starter Meagan Dooley picked up her 12th victory of the season and Leighann Burke her third save, shutting out the Hoosiers on one hit. Dooley went 5.1 innings, surrendering the lone single on a bad-hop grounder to short in the fourth. Burke quashed Indiana's lone scoring threat in the sixth. With a runner on third and only one out, the freshman left-hander got Indiana's leadoff hitter, Staci Meek, to ground out to third and struck out Lisa Mattke to end the inning.
"A tremendous team effort today," Bruggeman said. "Our defense was as solid as it has been all season. Indiana hit the ball pretty well today, but our defense stepped up and made the plays. Meagan and Leighann both pitched very well and Katie once again came through with a timely hit. We're in good shape for post season play, but we need to get the job done on Sunday."
Purdue will wrap up their regular season at the Varsity Softball Complex on Sunday against the Hoosiers at 1 p.m. The Boilermakers will honor seniors Crystal Inman, Danica Maher and Skeeter Nixon in a ceremony following the game.