In the first game, the Boilermakers got things going in the bottom of the fifth inning when junior, Andrea Roush hit a double to left field. Roush then scored when junior Chrissy Davie reached first on an infield single. Then with one out, freshman Holly Streed drove in Davie on a fielder's choice.
Sophomore, Leighann Burke pitched the shutout for Purdue. Burke pitched a complete game and allowed only five Redhawk hits. She moves to 3-0 on the season, earned her second complete game and her second shutout of the season.
In game two, good pitching dominated. Purdue's Nicole Crouse pitched seven shutout innings. The junior moves to 2-1 in the season and also earned her second shutout of the year. With the game knotted at zero, Purdue cracked through in the top of the seventh with four runs on four hits, including doubles by sophomore Jesse Jones and junior Katie Crabtree. Roush, Angela Knight, Lynne Tortorelli and Angi Roembke all scored putting Purdue up 4-0. Crouse held the shutout of the Highlanders in the bottom of the seventh to get the win.
"Outstanding pitching and defensive effort made the difference today," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "If you have those two components in every game you play, you win."
The Boilermakers are in action again Saturday, when they face tournament host North Carolina-Greensboro at 10 a.m. Bracket play then begins at 4 p.m. and will conclude on Sunday in medal round play.