April 6, 2001
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The Purdue softball team fell to conference rival Michigan twice today in Big Ten doubleheader action. The Wolverines won the second game 6-1, following a 4-3 victory for the first game. The Boilermakers fall to 25-12-1, while Michigan improves to 19-11-1.
"In the first game, our team fought hard," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "We were within one hit of pulling off the victory. In the second game, Michigan swung their bats very well. They deserved the win."
In the first game, the Boilermakers scored in the top of the second inning to go up 1-0 over the host Wolverines. Sophomore Briana Hensley pinch ran for sophomore first baseman Heidi Foster after a single to center field and crossed the plate on a double from sophomore third baseman Jesse Jones.
The Maize and Blue made their comeback in the bottom of the third inning as Kim Bugel was walked and then stole to second. Meghan Doe grounded out to second for the sacrifice to advance Bugel to third. Then Kelsey Kollen singled for the RBI as Bugel scored to tie the score at 1-1.
But, Michigan still had only one out with the bases loaded, after Melissa Taylor was hit by a pitch. Then Monica Schock bunted for the sacrifice to score the runner on third. However, Foster threw home for the force out and senior catcher Keely Povlitz then threw back to first base as the runner was too far off on her lead to put herself into a double play.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, it looked as if the Boilermakers would be defeated, as Michigan went up 4-1 after three runs on three hits and one error. But the Old Gold and Black brought in junior Nicole Crouse to relieve sophomore Leighann Burke on the mound and were able to get out of the inning.
Purdue was able to fight back in the top of the sixth inning as senior center fielder Lynne Tortorelli started off the bats with a single to right field as she beat out the throw to first. Then junior shortstop Katie Crabtree singled to deep right field, advancing Tortorelli to second. Next, both Crabtree and Tortorelli advanced a base on a wild pitch.
The Boilermakers continued their run as Jones came to the plate and hit a two-out, two-RBI double to scored both Crabtree, from second, and Tortorelli, from third. The score was almost even at 3-4.
In the end, Michigan was able to tally at least one hit in every inning for the win, despite only two innings of scoring.
Marie Barda took the win for Michigan, improving to 8-4, after 5.2 innings of work. For Purdue, Burke took the loss to fall to 9-7 after 4.2 innings of work. Marissa Young made the relief appearance for the Wolverines, for her first save of the year and Crouse made the relief appearance for Purdue, pitching 1.1 innings.
Burke allowed seven hits, four runs and four walks with no strikeouts against 15 batters, while Crouse allowed two hits, no runs, no walks and no strikeouts against six batters.
In the second game, the Wolverines got off to a good start with two hits in the top of the first inning. But the Boilermakers would hold them with no runs until the third inning.
Michigan tallied two runs on three hits as the inning came to an end, which also included a pitching change for Purdue.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Maize and Blue broke out again for four runs on three hits as the Boilermakers committed two errors, also. The Boilermakers would switch pitchers again, entering Burke back into the lineup after a brief rest from the first game, to end out the inning with a strikeout.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Boilermakers attempted a second comeback, tallying two more hits to add to their total. But it wouldn't be enough, as Michigan's defense continued and held them scoreless and left the bases loaded.
On the mound for Michigan, Young took the win and the complete game for an improved record of 10-6. She allowed six hits, one run and two walks, while striking out two for 27 total batters.
On the mound for Purdue, junior Meagan Dooley tallied the loss with 2.2 innings pitched to fall to 8-4. She allowed six hits, two runs and no walks, while striking out no one, facing 12 batters.
"We're looking forward to bouncing back tomorrow," said Bruggeman. "We'll play Michigan State and try to get back on track from there."
-P-