Feb. 12, 2001
AUBURN, Ala. - The Purdue softball team finished its first preseason tournament as co-champions of the Jameson Inn Tiger Invitational on Sunday after a 5-0 win over Northern Illinois. The Boilermakers (4-1) shared the title with Big Ten Conference opponent Ohio State following the Buckeyes' win over Auburn in extra innings.
"This is a great start to our season," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "Anytime that you are able to start the season winning the championship of a tournament, it's a wonderful boost to the team. Our challenge now is not be satisfied with these four wins, but to continue to push and win."
Against Northern Illinois (0-5), Purdue took control right away in the bottom of the first inning as junior shortstop Katie Crabtree hit a solo home run, her first of the sesaon and the 16th of her career to become the Boilermakers' all-time leader.
But that would not be the end of the Old Gold and Black's scoring. In the second inning, junior first baseman Chrissy Davie, doubled, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by freshman designated player Nicole Austin. Then in the fifth, singles by senior catcher Keely Povlitz, senior center fielder Lynne Tortorelli and sophomore left fielder Angi Roembke loaded the bases for Crabtree. This time, Crabtree singled to push Purdue's lead to 3-0 and knock out Northern Illinois' starting pitcher.
Sophomore Andrea Roush greeted the Huskies' reliever with a two-run single to cap the scoring.
Sophomore Nicole Crouse was the benefactor of the offensive uprising as she earned the win for Purdue, her first of the season. She limited Northern Illinois to two singles while walking two and striking out four.
As bracketed, Purdue was to play the winner of the Ohio State-Auburn game. However, due to the length of that game (three hours), and both the Boilermakers and Buckeyes needing to catch planes, it was mutually decided to have co-champions. On Friday, Purdue beat Ohio State 1-0 and lost to Auburn 7-2.
The Boilermakers will continue their fantastic start to the 2001 season next weekend, Feb. 16-18, when they travel to Raleigh, N.C., to participate in the Triangle Classic. Purdue will play UNC-Greensboro, Miami (Ohio) and Radford before being placed into bracket play.