April 14, 2001
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue softball team fell in Big Ten Conference action today, 2-0, to Ohio State at the Varsity Softball Complex. The Boilermakers fall to 27-17-1 (4-7 Big Ten), while the Buckeyes improve to 32-12 (6-3 Big Ten).
"Today our pitchers did a nice job and we really didn't look bad," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "We played good defense, but right now we're not able to put all three elements of the game together at once. We need to get them all working together."
The Boilermakers defense did perform well all day, holding the Scarlet and Grey to no runs and only a few scattered hits until the top of the fifth inning. Pitcher Kristi De Vries doubled to deep, left centerfield and advanced to third of a fielder's choice by first baseman Sarah West, as designated player Amy Ellis was thrown out at second, after reaching first by being hit by a pitch.
Outfielder Chrissy Fowler then sacrifice flied to score De Vries from third. The Buckeyes tallied one run on one hit with no Purdue errors and left no one on, to take the lead at 1-0.
The Old Gold and Black continued to struggle in the bottom of the sixth, as they tallied three-up, three-down in the outs category. But the Boilermakers weren't out of it yet, as the defense was still prepared to hold strong for the last two innings, in order to make the offense go.
Unfortunately, that was not to be, as Ohio State extended the lead to 2-0 in the top of the sixth on an outfielder Anna Smith single to center field, a stolen base to second and then an advance to third on a catching error by the Boilermakers' shortstop. She then crossed the plate on a hard hit double to left field by catcher Stacy Roth. The Buckeyes ended that at-bat with one run on two hits, one Purdue error and left one runner on base.
Purdue wasn't able to make the bats go to finish off the game, despite tallying a leadoff single from sophomore first baseman Heidi Foster. Foster ended the day 2-3 with singles to center field in both the fourth and seventh innings.
"De Vries did a nice job of mixing her speed to throw our hitters off balance, but Heidi also did a nice job today. She performed well at the plate and just played a great mental game," said Bruggeman.
"Defensively, we're there," said Foster. "Our pitchers are doing a fantastic job, but we need to put all three elements of the game together to come away with wins. Today, I have to give credit to (Stacy) Roth, because she went 2-3 and hit the ball hard both times. She hit well at the times when her team needed it. We'll just look to fight back and come away with a win tomorrow for a split on the weekend."
The Boilermakers will return to action tomorrow at the Varsity Softball Complex, as they will play the second game of the series against Ohio State. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
-P-