March 19, 2004
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The host Sacramento State Hornets used timely hits to record a 2-0 win over Purdue on day one of the Capital Classic. The Boilermakers tallied five hits in the contest, but could not convert the hits into runs. The team looks to rebound tomorrow when it takes on Saint Mary's (CA) and Utah State.
The Hornets got on the board in the first inning, pairing two hits with a sacrifice bunt. Amber Dragomir led off with a single past the shortstop, then advanced to second on the throw. An Amy Walter sacrifice bunt moved Dragomir to third. Erin Coyne then tabbed a two-out double into left field to bring her home. A strikeout ended the inning.
Purdue put two runners aboard in the second after junior Shelli Messer singled into left field and freshman Katie Fortune drew a two-out walk, but a strike out kept the Sac State shutout in tact.
Sac State scored an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth on a hit, an error and a sacrifice. The Hornets put their lead runner on base as Amy Hillel reached on an errant throw by the pitcher. A Lindy Winkler sacrifice moved Hillel to second, then a two-out single to center by Jess Rojo drove her in.
With the game on the line, Purdue managed to get a base runner in the top of the seventh as sophomore Lauren Devich hit a pinch hit bloop single behind the third baseman with two outs. A ground ball, however, sealed the Hornets' win.
"I thought Sac State did what they needed to do to win the game," head coach Carol Bruggeman said. "We had runners on in almost every inning and just did not take advantage of those opportunities. It was a hard fought battle, but the difference was that Sac State took advantage of their opportunities and we did not. Hopefully, we will bounce back and get a pair of wins tomorrow."
The Boilermakers tallied five hits in the contest and left runners aboard in each of those innings. Senior Angela Knight, sophomore Tricia Lilley and freshman Erika Peterson posted base hits in the game along with Messer and Devich.
Sac State (12-13) scored two runs on seven hits and one Purdue error. Bree Ferguson picked up the win, striking out five Boilermakers in the complete game effort, while sophomore Diana LaRiva was charged with the loss after three innings of work. Freshman Brooke Baker pitched three innings of relief.
Purdue (15-9) will be back in action Saturday morning when the team takes on Saint Mary's at 10 a.m. (PST).