April 24, 2002
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue softball team bounced back to winning ways on Wednesday, with a 3-2 victory over the visiting Dayton Flyers at the Varsity Softball Complex. The Boilermakers improve to 32-22, while the Flyers fall to 15-21.
The Boilermakers began with their first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning, when junior Angi Roembke reached on an infield single, stole second, advanced to third on a single by freshman Andrea Hillsey and headed home as junior Heidi Foster sacrificed a deep fly ball to right field.
The Flyers scored their first run of the game in the top of the third inning to tie it up at one run apiece, when a double to left center field and a single down the left field line put their lead runner at third base. An error by Purdue put the run across the plate, unearned, on what should have been the third out of the inning.
The Boilermakers scored two more runs in the bottom of the third inning, when sophomore Angela Knight was walked, advanced to second as Roembke hit another infield single, and then went on home from second, as the Flyers made a costly throwing error that gave both Knight and Roembke two extra bases each. Then, with Roembke on third, Hillsey hit a sacrifice fly to left field and Purdue head coach sent Roembke on home.
Purdue threatened for some insurance runs in the sixth inning, but wasn't able to get the job done, as it left the bases loaded after tallying two hits and a walk with two stolen bases and an advance on a wild pitch.
The Boilermakers' three runs were just the right amount to get the win at the Varsity Softball Complex, as they take the victory, breaking their six-game losing streak and heading into the Big Ten weekend on the high note of a victory.
The Old Gold and Black and the Flyers began the second game of the doubleheader, but were forced to stop in the bottom of the second inning as the storm system across Illinois and Indiana rolled into the Greater Lafayette area. Although rain accompanied the storm, lightning was the culprit for the second game's cancelation.
Purdue will return to the field on Friday, when it hosts Michigan State at the Varsity Softball Complex at 4 p.m. EST for a single game. The Spartans will then return on Saturday for another single game at noon and the Wolverines of Michigan will roll in for a doubleheader on Sunday, beginning at noon. Purdue will host its annual Senior Day on Sunday, honoring seniors Katie Crabtree, Nicole Crouse, Chrissy Davie and Meagan Dooley.
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