April 1, 2003
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Notre Dame continued its success in the Varsity Softball Complex, extending its record to 5-3 in the facility, with a 7-3 win over the Boilermakers in Game 1 of the doubleheader Tuesday.
The Irish scored first with a Liz Hartmann single to center field, drive in the first run of the day, as pinch runner Sara Schoonaert scored. The run, however, did not go against Purdue pitcher Leighann Burke, as Schoonaert was running for Meagan Ruthrauff who reached on an error by the third baseman. Another run scored as Andria Bledsoe stole home after reaching on a fielder's choice and advancing on the Hartmann single.
Notre Dame put up five more runs in the third inning on four hits including a grand slam by Bledsoe. An RBI single by Andrea Loman scored another unearned run for the Irish, as Megan Ciolli came around after getting aboard on another error by the third baseman. A string of singles loaded the bases for Bledsoe, who then ripped a shot to left center.
The Boilermakers began to claw their way out of a 7-0 deficit with a Tricia Lilley solo home run to left field in the bottom of the third. Senior Andrea Roush copied Lilley with a solo shot to left to open Purdue's half of the fourth.
The Old Gold and Black tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh, scoring again with a trio of singles by Lilley, senior Angi Roembke and senior Heidi Foster. Foster's hit down the left field line put the run on the board, scoring Lilley from second, but that was as close as Purdue would get.
The victory gave the Irish a 7-6 advantage in the series and moved pitcher Steffany Stenglein's record to 4-4, while reliever Carrie Wisen picked up the save for her three innings of help. Burke fell to 14-7 with the loss.
Roush was 2-for-2 on the day with a home run, a single and a stolen base. Foster went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. The Boilermakers left eight runners aboard in the contest.
Purdue hopes to even the series with a victory in Game 2.