March 30, 2001
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue softball team opened its Big Ten conference season at home today against the Minnesota Golden Gophers with a doubleheader at 2 p.m. The Boilermakers defeated the Gophers 10-0 in an exciting first game with three home runs, but fell 5-0 in the second game. Purdue moves to 24-9-1 (1-1 Big Ten) on the season, while Minnesota goes to 22-10-1 (1-1 Big Ten).
"Our day is described by both phenomenal and awful," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "In the first game today, we played the best game we've played all season. And then we turned around and played the worst game we've played all season. I can't remember the last time we've ever had six errors in a game. This year the Big Ten is going to be won by the most consistent team for six weeks. We have to find that consistency."
Consistency was the key for Purdue in the first game, finding ways to score, even with two outs.
The Boilermakers started their offensive explosion in the bottom of the third inning, as it began with a walk delivered to senior catcher Keely Povlitz. Junior shortstop Katie Crabtree then received a walk, as well and sophomore third baseman Jesse Jones was able to reach first on a dropped fly ball by the right fielder that scored Povlitz and put Crabtree at third.
The Old Gold and Black placed sophomore Briana Hensley on first to run for Jones, just as sophomore first baseman Heidi Foster stepped to the plate for 3 RBI on her third home run of the year, scoring both Hensley and Jones.
In an attempt to settle down, the Gophers switched pitchers. But it wouldn't be enough, as freshman designated player Sara Hall swung at the first pitch and smacked a deep shot to left centerfield for her second home run of the year.
One more Boilermaker out wrapped up the inning as Purdue held off Minnesota in the top of the fourth, even with runners on second and third.
The Old Gold and Black was not satisfied with the 5-0 lead, however, and took control again in the bottom of the fifth inning as sophomore left fielder Angi Roembke started it off with an infield single to second, by beating the throw to first.
Sophomore Laura Martin stepped to the plate to pinch-hit for freshman Holly Streed. Then Roembke stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch just before Martin was walked to place runners on first and third with one out.
Freshman Nicole Austin pinch ran for Martin and then stole second as Crabtree stepped to the plate and doubled to center field for 2 RBI, scoring both Austin and Roembke. Jones stepped back to the plate and tallied a single to center field for the RBI, scoring Crabtree from second.
Foster then stepped to the plate to nail her second home run of the day and fourth of the year with a deep shot to left center field for the Boilermakers' 10th run of the game.
"I have never hit two home runs in the same game," said Foster. "I'm just really excited that we were able to get so many runs from my hits. It felt good to beat them."
Purdue was able to hold off Minnesota in the top of the fifth inning for its 14th shutout of the year, taking only four and a half innings to accomplish the feat.
"Back to back home runs in a single game is unbelievable," said Bruggeman. "I'm very happy for Heidi. Her bat was great today."
On the mound for Purdue, junior Nicole Crouse started the game, pitching 2.1 innings. She allowed three hits and walked one, while striking out one in seven total batters. Sophomore Leighann Burke took the win, pitching 2.2 innings, to improve to 9-4 on the year. She shutout the Gophers, walking only one and striking out three in seven total batters.
In the second game, the Boilermakers' performance, both in the field and at the plate, was dramatically different than in the first game. The Old Gold and Black tallied six errors in the 5-0 loss to Minnesota, including in the first inning for two runs and three in the sixth inning for three runs.
"We gave this second game to them, today," said Bruggeman. "They didn't earn it, but they did what they needed to do, they put the ball in play and allowed us to make the mistakes that they capitalized on."
After switching positions to become the "home" team, the Gophers found themselves up 2-0 after the bottom of the first inning, both unearned.
The Boilermakers found themselves with runners in scoring position several times, leaving six runners on base, but it wasn't enough as Minnesota made one last surge in the bottom of the sixth inning to score three on two hits, all unearned, again.
"The loss today is hard to take," said Foster. "Our defense is usually very good--that's what makes it hard to take. But we know what to expect tomorrow and Sunday. We have a large group of returning players and we know how Wisconsin will come at us. Right now, our pitching is doing a great job and our offense is good, too, but the defense has got to improve. We'll be alright."
"We need an offensive and defensive effort together tomorrow," said Bruggeman. "Wisconsin is a good team--even one of the best in the Big Ten. But we need to bounce back from this game today and play our ball."
The Boilermakers will return to the field tomorrow at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. as they continue their Big Ten Conference opening weekend, hosting Wisconsin. The Badgers defeated Indiana 5-4 in the first game of their doubleheader today in Bloomington to improve to 18-12.
-P-