April 26, 2002
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue softball team tallied its third win of the Big Ten season on Friday at the Varsity Softball Complex, knocking off the Michigan State Spartans, 1-0, with a bottom of the seventh inning rally.
"Becky Gray definitely pitched one of the best pitching performances against us this whole season," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "We feel we have a very offensive team and she really shut us down. Today, our key was defense. The defense was simply outstanding - every bunt play was executed; every ground out was done well; (Andrea) Roush had an incredible diving catch in centerfield - and it was all led by Leighann Burke on the mound with an excellent performance.
"Angi (Roembke) has been our sparkplug all year and she got things going in the bottom of the seventh and then Roushie came up with the big RBI for the win. We're really happy with today's outcome."
The dual between Becky Gray of Michigan State and Leighann Burke of Purdue quickly became a pitching dual that fans in attendance would not soon forget, as three-up, three-down, soon became the order of business on both sides of the mound for several innings.
The Spartans were able to earn their first hit in the top of the first inning with a well-hit ball that became a double with some help from the wind in left center field. But, Purdue's defense immediately shut the Green and White down, holding the runner at second and leaving two runners on base.
In the third inning, the Boilermakers found themselves in their first bit of trouble, with a MSU score threatening at second base, after she reached on an error. However, the arm of catcher Jesse Jones came through for the Boilermakers again, as she picked off the runner at second for the third out.
The Spartans wouldn't threaten again until the sixth inning, when they tallied two hits, putting runners at second and third. But, the third out was an easy fly ball to center field where Roush took the play, getting the Old Gold and Black out of trouble again.
Purdue got through the top of the seventh inning with a three-up, three-down outing and its chance for a last-minute victory at the plate.
Junior left fielder Angi Roembke started things off for the Boilermakers with a slapped single just over second base in short centerfield. Then she went to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt attempt by freshman second baseman Andrea Hillsey. Hillsey, however, received the credit for the sac, but did get on at first, due to an error by the MSU first baseman. With runners at the corners, Purdue's "big stick" in junior first baseman Heidi Foster came to the plate.
The Spartans knew they didn't want to take a chance with Foster and intentionally walked her to load the bases and take their chances with junior centerfielder Andrea Roush. However, despite throwing an incredible game, Gray went down in her count, 3-1, against Roush and then walked the winning run across the plate for Purdue, as Roush collected the RBI.
The Boilermakers will return to the field on Saturday, when they host the Spartans for the second game of the two-game series at the Varsity Softball Complex. Game time is set for noon and all the action can be heard at 11:55 a.m. on Lafayette's 1410 WAZY-AM and worldwide at www.purduesports.com. Sports information director Tom Schott will call all the action, including player interviews and a chance to win a 2002 Purdue softball information guide with the "Top of the Fifth Inning Trivia Question."
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