April 25, 2001
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue softball split in non-conference doubleheader action today against the Western Michigan Broncos at the Varsity Softball Complex with a 1-0 win and a 2-1, 10 innings, loss. The Boilermakers move to 30-22-1 on the season, while the Broncos stand at 12-28-1.
In game one, it was defense that played out the game on both ends of the bench, as the game was scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning. The Boilermakers broke through the 0-0 deadlock, though, when sophomore Jesse Jones hit a hard line drive up the right field line to make it to third with one out. Then sophomore Briana Hensley pinch ran at third for Jones, as freshman Sara Hall stepped to the plate for designated player Angi Roembke.
Hall was walked and was replaced on first by Roembke to run. Senior catcher Keely Povlitz followed up with a ground out to second, advancing Roembke to second, while Hensley held at third. Freshman second baseman Holly Streed was able to come through big at the end for the Boilermakers, as she singled down the left field line with a line drive that advanced Roembke to third and scored Hensley for the game winning run.
On the mound, junior right-hander Meagan Dooley improved her record to 10-6 and tallied her fourth complete game and her second shutout of the year. Dooley allowed five hits and walked one while striking out three.
In the second game, the Old Gold and Black scored a run in the bottom of the third inning. Sophomore Andrea Roush singled to the shortstop by beating out the throw to first and then stealing second with one out. Sophomore first baseman Heidi Foster reached first on a fielder's choice and advanced to second as the Broncos attempted to pick off Roush at third, but were unsuccessful because of an error by the third baseman. Sophomore Jill Paxson came in to pinch run for Foster at second and advanced to third when Hall bunted for the suicide squeeze play. Roush was able to come across the plate for the score.
The Broncos scored their first run in the top of the fifth inning, when they were able to lead off the order with a double followed by a walk and a fielder's choice. Then, on a steal attempt, Purdue was able to get the lead off runner out, but allowed the following runner to advance to second, still in scoring position. Another walk and a single to left field scored the Broncos only run in that inning, as the Boilermakers make the last out of the inning on a fly ball to center field.
The game continued in deadlock with both teams tallying three-up, three-down innings several times. But Western Michigan finally broke through in the top of the 10th inning, as the game went to the international tie-breaker rules which places the runner on second who made the final out of the previous inning.
WMU pushed its runner to third on a 5-4 sacrifice bunt and scored her as the third batter singled to left field with two outs for the RBI.
-more- The Boilermakers made the attempt to come back in the bottom of the 10th inning, but couldn't convert, leaving two base runners on first and third.
On the mound, junior Nicole Crouse started the second game and pitched 7.2 innings before being relieved by Dooley. Crouse allowed four hits, one run and four walks, while striking out four. Dooley pitched 2.1 innings and took the loss to fall to 10-7. She allowed one hit, one run and struck out two.
Purdue will return to action on Friday, April 27, when it hosts Illinois in Big Ten Conference doubleheader action. Game time is set for 2 p.m. with the internet webcast beginning at approximately 1:50 p.m. with Sports Information Director Tom Schott calling the action.
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