March 3, 2002
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Purdue softball team split its final doubleheader series of the weekend today against Texas A&M - Corpus Christi, 0-9 and 7-4, at the Stacy Winsberg Memorial Tournament, sponsored by Easton and hosted by UCLA. The Boilermakers return to campus with an overall record of 10-7.
In the first game, the Boilermakers fell to the Islanders, 9-0, in six innings, while committing three errors. Texas A&M - CC tallied 11 hits to the Old Gold and Black's six, including a sixth inning grand slam. The home run was the first grand slam in the history of the TAM-CC softball program.
On the mound, senior Meagan Dooley started and took the loss, falling to 2-2 on the year. She allowed four hits, two runs and struck out one in 2.0 innings of action. Junior Leighann Burke came in on the first relief effort and allowed three hits, two runs, walked two and struck out one in 2.0 innings. Freshman Shelli Messer saw her first action on the mound with a 2.0 inning outing. She allowed four hits, five runs, walked two and struck out one.
In the second game, the Islanders jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but the Boilermakers regained control in the top of the third inning, when junior first baseman Heidi Foster smashed her fifth home run of the year for a Purdue grand slam. This was the second grand slam for the Boilermakers this season.
On the mound for the second game, senior Nicole Crouse made the start and earned the win to take her record to 3-2 on the year. She tallied 4.0 innings with six hits allowed, three runs allowed and three walks allowed, while striking out six. Burke came in for the relief again, this time earning her second save of the year. She pitched 3.0 innings with two hits allowed, one run allowed and two walks allowed, while striking out five.
Also in the second game, freshman Katie Absher saw her first position play of the year with some late game action in right field.
On the day, freshman Andrea Hillsey was very strong for the Boilermakers, going 5-5 with three doubles in the first game and one in the second game.
The Boilermakers will return to action on Thursday, March 7, when they travel to Plant City, Fla., to begin their Spring Break tour at the Speedline Invitational. They will take on Virginia Tech at 11 a.m. and UT-Chattanooga at 1 p.m. Purdue can be followed for their entire week and a half tour on www.purduesports.com.
-P-