March 17, 2001
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Purdue softball team finished its California tour as it defeated the Morehead State Eagles 6-3, but fell to the New Mexico Lobos, 2-1. The Boilermakers move into regular season games with a record of 18-8-1.
The Boilermakers were bracketed to play the 15th-seeded Eagles by earning the fifth seed in the championship bracket.
"Against Morehead State, I thought we did an excellent job of dominating every aspect of the game," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "We got off to a quick lead and that set the tone for the rest of the game."
Purdue started its scoring drive right off the bat in the first inning. Junior Katie Crabtree hit a single to left field as the first Boilermaker batter of the game. Senior Lynne Tortorelli received the signal to lay down a sacrifice bunt to advance Crabtree and then sophomore Jesse Jones hit a deep single to left field and then advanced to second on the throw home to attempt to pick off Crabtree.
But the Boilermakers scored, taking the lead 1-0, with runners still in scoring position, as freshman Sara Hall then came up with another big single to center field to advance Jones to third. Sophomore Jill Paxson then entered the game to pinch run for Hall and stole second immediately, causing the catcher to throw down, only to send Jones home on the throwing error by the Eagle catcher to the shortstop.
Still in the first inning, Purdue would score another run as sophomore Andrea Roush singled and advanced to second on a left fielder error, sending Paxson to third and then home on the error.
The game would remain quiet for both teams until the top of the fourth inning when sophomore Angi Roembke singled to center field and started the Boilermakers' run again. Roembke would then be thrown out at the plate on a close play and freshman Nicole Austin stole second and would then eventually score after junior Danika Nice pinch hit for Austin and reached on an error by the second baseman.
Purdue scored again in the sixth inning as Roush put herself on with a single and then advanced around, including a stolen base at second.
On the mound for the Boilermakers, junior Nicole Crouse pitched a complete game for the win, taking her record to 7-2. Crouse allowed five hits, one run, walked one, struck out 10, all while facing 25 batters.
In their second game of bracket play, the Boilermakers took on the New Mexico Lobos (18-12) and fell, 2-1.
"The loss to New Mexico was probably the most disappointing loss of the year," said Bruggeman. "We, unfortunately, had every opportunity to win and we simply did not take advantage of those opportunities."
The Boilermakers lone run came from Roush, who went 2-3 at the plate and scored on a fielder's choice hit by Austin, who took the out at first on a 4-3 play.
On the mound for Purdue, junior Meagan Dooley started the game and finished 4.0 innings, allowing three hits and one run, along with striking out one, while facing 17 total batters. Sophomore lefty Leighann Burke took the loss for the Boilermakers, though, pitching 2.0 innings and allowing two hits and one run. She struck out two and walked one, while facing six batters. Burke moves to 6-3 on the year.
The Boilermakers will return to action as they kick off their regular season schedule this Wednesday, March 21, at home. The Old Gold and Black will face the Valparaiso Crusaders at 2 p.m. in a double header at the Varsity Softball Complex. The Valpo game starts the Boilermakers' radio broadcast season and will be available on the web at www.purduesports.com/softball.
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