March 24, 2002
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue softball team defeated Oakland Sunday, 9-1, by the five-inning run-rule for the 2002 Boilermaker Invitational tournament title. The Golden Grizzlies fall to 6-17, while the Boilermakers improve to 25-9 and set a new school record for the longest win streak in program history at 10 games.
"I'm really proud of the team winning their own tournament, the Boilermaker Invitational," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "It was an outstanding team performance all weekend. We had strong pitching, excellent defense and timely hitting throughout the lineup. Now, we just look forward to playing Eastern Illinois on Tuesday before we open the Big Ten season."
The Boilermakers had to wait until the third inning to score their first runs, but when they did, the hits came right from the beginning of the inning and at the top of the Purdue lineup. Senior shortstop Katie Crabtree led off with a single, junior leftfielder Angi Roembke followed with her trademark bunt and then beat the throw. Freshman second baseman Andrea Hillsey added her part with a 2-3 sacrifice bunt to advance both runners, and junior first baseman Heidi Foster ripped one up the middle for her first hit and RBI of the day, scoring both Crabtree and Roembke.
Freshman Courtney Kovanis pinch ran for Foster, and then junior centerfielder Andrea Roush followed up with a single through the left side. Junior designated player Laura Martin grounded out to the shortstop, but advanced the runners to second and third in preparation for junior catcher Jesse Jones' double to left field. Jones earned both the RBI as both Kovanis and Roush crossed the plate, taking the Purdue lead to 4-0 on five hits for the inning. The inning wrapped up with a fly to left field, but the Boilermakers were able to score in each of their remaining innings, as well.
In the fourth inning, Purdue tallied another run on a single by Crabtree that scored sophomore rightfielder Angela Knight. Knight had reached on a base hit down the left line, but advanced from first to third on an error by the Oakland leftfielder.
The Boilermakers finished off the run-rule in the fifth inning, when they tallied their final four runs on three hits and one Oakland error. Roush started the inning off with a bunt that she beat out for a single and went to third on a Martin double down the right field line.
Jones flew out to right field and then Roush stole home and beat out a run-down play for the score, while Martin advanced to third during the run-down. Freshman Shelli Messer reached first on an error by the Oakland third baseman and went to second on a passed ball. Knight followed and was hit by a pitch to load the Boilermaker bases.
Crabtree stepped up and singled through the right side, scoring Martin and advancing all the other runners. Then, senior pitcher Meagan Dooley stepped in to pinch hit for Roembke, but Crabtree, Knight and Messer all advanced on a passed ball, adding another run to the Purdue total before she drew the walk from Oakland's third pitcher of the day.
Roembke re-entered the game to run at first base and Hillsey reached on a fielder's choice that gave Oakland no play anywhere, adding the ninth run to the Purdue total as Knight crossed the plate.
The Golden Grizzlies did make an attempt at a comeback in their top of the fifth inning as they scored their lone run on an error by Purdue second baseman Hillsey. But, the Purdue defense held OU to only two hits and finished out the inning with the bases loaded.
At the plate, Crabtree went 3 for 4 on the day with one run scored and two RBI, Foster was 2 for 3 with two RBI and Roush was also 2 for 3 with two runs scored.
On the mound for the Boilermakers, senior Nicole Crouse continues to have an outstanding senior campaign and took the win to improve to 8-3 on the year, while striking out eight in five innings. She allowed four hits, one unearned run and one walk against 21 batters.
"Today's win was an easy one because I have great defense behind me combined with offense throughout the lineup," said Crouse. "With the rest of the team behind me, I just take care of my job and we get some easy wins. It's also great to have such a good catcher as Jesse (Jones) - she makes a big difference when I'm on the mound."
Named to the 2002 Boilermaker Invitational All-Tournament team were Purdue representatives Foster and junior pitcher Leighann Burke. Roush was named the Invitational's Most Valuable Player for her work both at the plate and in centerfield.
The Boilermakers will return to the field on Tuesday, March 26, when they travel to Charleston, Ill., to take on Eastern Illinois in a 2 p.m. doubleheader. Following Eastern, Purdue will open the Big Ten Conference schedule on Friday, March 29, at Wisconsin for a 6 p.m. game.
In the first game of the Boilermaker Invitational at 9 a.m., Gardner - Webb beat IPFW, 8-0, in seven innings.
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