April 28, 2002
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue softball team fell on Sunday in both games to the No. 11-ranked Michigan Wolverines, 6-2 and 6-0, at the Varsity Softball Complex. The Boilermakers fall to 33-24 (3-12 Big Ten), while the Wolverines improve to 39-9 (13-3 Big Ten).
"Michigan's offense was outstanding today," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "The came out ready to hit the ball and they played very well.
"It's tough on Senior Day to have the kind of day we did today, with the weather and an 11th-ranked opponent. But, typical of this senior class, we did come out fighting and it's really hard to say "goodbye" to these four women. They have given so much to Purdue softball and they have elevated this program to the national level in the last four years. I'm just very proud of all four of them today."
On a very cold, windy and overcast day, the Wolverines went up 2-0 in the top of the first inning of game one, after hitting two solo home runs, both of which were helped over the fence by the 38 mph winds.
Purdue, however, fought back and scored two runs of its own in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Katie Crabtree started the inning off with a double down the right field line and then went on home on a perfect bunt by junior Angi Roembke, as she got the infield single to put herself at first with no outs. Then, freshman Andrea Hillsey was walked, moving Roembke to second. Both runners advanced on a passed ball and then Roembke scored and Hillsey went to third on another passed ball by the Michigan catcher.
The Wolverines fought back in the top of the second inning, tallying two more runs on three hits. The first Michigan run scored with runners on the corners, drawing a run-down play from Purdue with the runner on first. However, in a great double-steal effort, the runner at third took off and went home when the Boilermakers were still attempting to get her teammate out between first and second. Their second run scored on a sacrifice fly ball to left field for the second out of the inning.
Despite a valiant effort, the Boilermakers could not add any more runs to their total, as Michigan added insurance runs in both the tops of the fourth and fifth innings.
On the mound in game one, senior Nicole Crouse made the start and pitched 1.1 innings, allowing five hits and four runs. Junior Leighann Burke came in for the relief and pitched 5.2 innings, allowing seven hits and two runs. She walked two and struck out four en route to facing 27 batters.
In game two, the Boilermakers could not seem to find their offensive grove, as the Wolverines out-hit the Boilermakers 12 to 4. The Maize and Blue scored three runs right away in the bottom of the first inning on five hits and then added two more on two hits in the bottom of the second inning.
Purdue's best chance to score came in the third inning, as sophomore Angela Knight singled with a bunt and advanced to second on a passed ball. Junior Andrea Roush then singled to the shortstop and beat out the throw, advancing Knight to third. With a sacrifice bunt, Roembke sent Roush to second, but Coach Bruggeman held Knight at third, as the Wolverines were ready for a play at the plate.
Michigan capped off the day with their last run in the bottom of the sixth inning, when another home run went sailing over the left field fence of the Varsity Softball Complex.
The Boilermakers will return to the field on Saturday, May 5, when they travel to Champaign, Ill., to finish out the 2002 season against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Game time is set for noon and the Old Gold and Black will play the second game of the series on Sunday with another single game beginning at noon.
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