March 3, 2001
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The Purdue softball team finished the long-awaited day one of the Islander Bash by the Bay in Corpus Christi, Texas with two shutouts over Loyola (Chicago) and host Texas A&M--Corpus Christi. The Boilermakers improve their record to 11-2 on the season with scores of 3-0 and 4-0, respectively. The Ramblers of Loyola (Chicago) fall to 0-1 and the Islanders of TAM--CC fall to 3-22.
Purdue's shutouts today tally three in a row, while totaling eight on the season.
"Today was just a great display of pitching from both Leighann (Burke) and Nicole (Crouse)," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "We started off our offense with excellent performances with Katie Crabtree's RBI and Angi Roembke's run right away in the first game. Holly Streed also produced well at the plate going two-for-three."
After having games canceled on Friday and being rain delayed by two hours this morning, the Boilermakers were very anxious to take the field. In the first game of the day, Purdue took on fellow midwesterners Loyola (Chicago) and came away with the 3-0 win. Sophomore lefty Leighann Burke pitched a complete seven innings and took the win for the Old Gold and Black, improving her record to 4-1 on the 2001 campaign.
Burke allowed only two hits and four walks, while striking out eight and facing 24 total batters.
At the plate, Purdue started its scoring drive quickly. Tallying its first run in the top of the first, sophomore Angi Roembke singled and then advanced to second on a steal. She then scored from second as junior Katie Crabtree came to the plate and singled to right field.
The Boilermakers quickly started it up again in the top of the second when junior Chrissy Davie, who was walked, advanced to third on a hit to right field by freshman Holly Streed. Senior Lynne Tortorelli came to the plate and singled, scoring Davie and placing Streed in scoring position at second.
Then Streed and Tortorelli both advanced one base on a double steal with Streed then scoring on an error by the Rambler catcher.
To wrap up game one, the Boilermakers had six stolen bases to go along with their six hits, compared to Loyola's two.
After a brief break, the Old Gold and Black returned to the field for their second game of the day against the Islanders of Texas A&M--Corpus Christi. Junior Nicole Crouse took the mound for Purdue and earned her fourth win of the year to take her record to 4-1 with the 4-0 shutout win.
Crouse held the Islanders to a no-hitter until the bottom of the seventh, when she allowed only one hit. She walked two and struck out five, while facing 23 batters and pitching the complete game.
"In game two, I think we had quality at-bats," said Bruggeman. "Even when we got out, they were tough outs and it was a great effort. I've very pleased with our offensive performance."
The Boilermakers started that offense in the the second game with three quick runs in the top of the third as Streed singled and was then replaced by pinch runner Angela Knight. Then, Crabtree stepped up and was safe at first on an error by the first baseman on a sacrifice bunt while Knight advanced all the way to third. Sophomore Andrea Roush then came to the plate and reached on a miffed throw by the shortstop, scoring both Knight and Crabtree.
Purdue's third run of the inning came as Roush then stole home for a Boilermaker 3-0 lead.
The Old Gold and Black sealed their 11th season victory as Crabtree stepped to the plate and nailed a double as the lead off hitter of the inning. Roush then laid down a fabulous sac bunt to advance Crabtree to third. Clean-up hitter and junior Jesse Jones then stepped up and singled to score Crabtree for the RBI.
Crabtree ended game two going one-for-three with two runs scored. Roush ended the game going two-for-three with one run scored, while Jones was three for four with one RBI.
The Boilermakers will continue their weekend on Sunday as they take on the Texas-Arlington Mavericks at 9 a.m. and the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters at 11 a.m.
-P-