March 28, 2001
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue softball team came away from the Varsity Softball Complex today with a 6-5 come-from-behind win over Southwest Missouri State to improve its record to 23-8-1 and extend its home record to 5-0 on the year.
"Today was a great test of our perseverance and ability to overcome adversity as a team," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "Working on this will definitely prepare us for the upcoming Big Ten schedule and, most importantly, this opening weekend against Minnesota and Wisconsin. But today the key to our success was our clutch hits. Lynne (Tortorelli) came up big for us, as did Heidi (Foster) and Sara (Hall) with their hits in the first inning."
The Boilermakers jumped out to a commanding 4-0 lead by the bottom of the second inning, tallying two runs in the first and second innings.
In her first step to the plate, junior shortstop Katie Crabtree smacked a deep shot to center field for a stand-up double. She then advanced to third on a passed ball. Sophomore first baseman Heidi Foster stepped up for the RBI double to score Crabtree, bringing freshman designated player Sara Hall to the plate. Hall also doubled and tallied the RBI with Foster crossing the plate for the score.
Purdue's defense stopped the Bears three-up, three-down to bring the Boilermakers back to the plate, where they would score two more runs. Sophomore outfielder Angi Roembke reached on an error by the Bears' shortstop and then advanced to second on a fielder's choice play to take out senior catcher Keely Povlitz.
The top of the lineup came back to the plate with Crabtree being intentionally walked by Southwest Missouri State to put two runners on with two outs as senior outfielder Lynne Tortorelli stepped to the plate and nailed an incredible shot down the right field line for a stand-up triple. Tortorelli's shot scored her two RBI, as both Roembke and Crabtree crossed the plate in plenty of time.
But the Bears of SMS would not give up as they came back to tie the game at 4-4 in the top of the third inning. Left fielder Christy Swerwein was walked, followed by hits from third baseman Jessica Gorham, shortstop Annie Medico, first baseman Jami Canada and catcher Stacie Wattie.
The Boilermakers were unable to score in their half of the third inning, while the Bears converted with runners in scoring position in the top of the fourth to take the score to 5-4.
Southwest Missouri State played great defense, holding the Old Gold and Black down again in the bottom of the fourth, but Purdue continued its fight.
The Boilermakers again posted a three-up, three-down rule on the Bears in the top of the fifth and then got down to business in the bottom of the same inning.
Tortorelli led off for Purdue and, again, smacked a huge double down the left field line. She then advanced to third on a wild pitch, and awaited sophomore third baseman Jesse Jones' single to left centerfield to score. Purdue had found a way to tie it up.
Freshman Nicole Austin entered the game on first base to run for Jones and then advanced to second base on a wild pitch after the Bears had changed pitchers. Foster stepped to the plate and took the ground out at first to advance Austin to third as Hall came to the plate. She hit a single to deep left field for the RBI, as Austin scored to allow the Boilermakers to take the lead once again, 6-5.
That would be the final result, as the Boilermakers managed to hold the Bears for two more at-bats for the win.
Purdue's entire pitching rotation found time in the game, with junior Nicole Crouse taking the start. Crouse pitched 2.1 innings and allowed five hits and four runs. She walked two and struck out two, also.
Junior Meagan Dooley came in next and took the win to extend her record to 7-2 on the year with 2.2 innings pitched. Dooley allowed two hits and one run, while walking none and striking out two.
Sophomore Leighann Burke finished off the game for Purdue to tally her fourth save of the year with 2.0 innings pitched. Burke allowed one hit, no runs, no walks, and struck out two.
The Boilermakers will be back in action this weekend at the Varsity Softball Complex as they open their Big Ten Conference schedule with a doubleheader against Minnesota on Friday at 2 p.m. Saturday, the Badgers of Wisconsin will come to town for a 2 p.m. start and a 1 p.m. start on Sunday.