April 11, 2002
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Purdue softball team fell on Thursday, 4-2, to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Ivy Field in South Bend. The Boilermakers fall to 29-16, while the Fighting Irish improve to 19-12.
"Today, we needed to capitalize on our opportunities early," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "We had our chances, but, unfortunately, couldn't come through. We did fight back and score two with Katie's (Crabtree) home run and that was positive.
"On the mound, Nicole Crouse did a good job of coming in in relief and shutting them down. We'll look forward to getting at Indiana this weekend."
Purdue started the game off quickly, putting runners on the base paths, but were unable to convert on their best chance to score first in the third inning, when sophomore right fielder Angela Knight doubled to left field and advanced to third on an Angi Roembke bunt single. With runners on the corners and two outs, the Boilermakers threatened next when Roembke stole second. But, the Old Gold and Black were not able to bring Knight and Roembke home, as freshman second baseman Andrea Hillsey struck out swinging.
The Boilermakers' defense held strong through the first three innings, allowing only 11 batters to the plate, but the bottom of the fourth inning brought about a series of three errors that would score three Irish on four hits, putting the Old Gold and Black in the hole, 3-0.
Purdue fought back in the top of the fifth, scoring two runs of its own when Knight reached first on a Notre Dame error and then senior shortstop Katie Crabtree hit her 11th home run of the season for the two-run blast.
Unfortunately, the Irish would find a way to break through the Boilermaker defense in the bottom of the fifth, adding an insurance run to their total when a single down the left field line put a runner on first who advanced to second on a passed ball. Then, a single to left field would give Notre Dame the run it needed, when an error in the Boilermakers' outfield sent the runner on home from third and the batter advanced to second.
With two outs, another passed ball put the runner at third and the Irish threatened again, but the Boilermakers held strong and finished off the last out with a caught fly ball in right field.
Purdue attempted another rally in the sixth, but the Irish stepped up the defense and took a four-up, three-down inning back to their half of the inning.
In the top of the seventh, Purdue put runners on-base, starting with Crabtree, who singled to the pitcher. Then, a fielder's choice by Roembke took Crabtree out at second, but gave the Boilermakers the speed they wanted on the base paths. Hillsey would come through with a clutch single up the middle, putting Roembke at second with two outs, but junior Heidi Foster batted another fielder's choice and the Irish finished out the inning, taking Roembke for the third out at third.
On the mound, senior Meagan Dooley made her 13th start of the season and pitched 3.0 innings before senior Nicole Crouse came in on relief. Dooley allowed six hits and three runs, walked one and struck out none, as she took the loss to fall to 7-4 on the year. Crouse also pitched 3.0 innings and allowed three hits and one run, no walks and struck out one.
The Boilermakers will return to the field on Sunday, April 14, after experiencing their Big Ten schedule bye on Friday and Saturday, to host the Indiana Hoosiers in the Titan Series and in-state rivalry match-up. Game time is set for noon for the doubleheader and the 2002 Dream Big campaign, sponsored by the Big Ten, will provide several activities for youth.
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