March 15, 2006
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Purdue softball team completed a double-header sweep of the George Mason Patriots with a 10-2 win in Game 2 on Wednesday. The Boilermakers tallied nine hits in the contest, while also capitalizing on six GMU miscues en route to the victory.
The Boilermakers put up four runs on three hits and two errors in the second inning. Junior Erika Peterson scored the game's first run after reaching on a fielding error by the shortstop. She moved to second on a bunt single by freshman Lauren Stanovsky (St. Louis, Mo.), then scored as freshman Candace Curtis (Danville, Calif.) reached on a two-base throwing error by the third baseman. Stanovsky and Curtis scored on single through the left side by sophomore Tiffany Krcelich (Granger, Ind.). A sacrifice moved her to second, before a single through the right side by sophomore Ashley Hall (Noblesville, Ind.) drove her in to make it 4-0. A caught foul ball ended the rally, stranding one.
Purdue put a runner on third twice in the third inning but could not score.
A single up the middle by Hall added another run in the fourth. Hall's hit drove in Krcelich, who reached on an error, moved to second on a bunt single by Falzon and stole third. Falzon scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman Katie Mitchell after singling, stealing second and taking third on Hall's hit. Junior Junior Catherine Zaworski (Prospect Heights, Ill.) reached on a fielder's choice, prompting a pitching change for the Patriots. Arielle Weinkofsky came in to relieve Amber Straube in the circle, before Zaworski and Hall pulled off a double steal for a run. Zaworski crossed the plate as Stanovsky reached on a fielding error by the shortstop, before a pop up ended the inning.
George Mason threatened in the fourth, putting two runners on with two outs after a fielder's choice and a walk, but a runner interference call wrapped up the stanza.
The Boilermakers combined two hits and two GMU miscues for two runs in the fifth. Freshman Kelly Miller (Indianapolis, Ind.) was hit by a pitch to start the inning. She advanced to second a sacrifice, which put Krcelich aboard as the third baseman misfielded the bunt. Miller scored on a single to short by Hall. The shortstop's throw to first sailed into the Patriot dugout, moving Hall to second and advancing Krcelich to third. Zaworski drew a two-out walk to load the bases for Peterson, who made good on the RBI opportunity with a single to left. A pop up sent the game to the bottom of the fifth with Purdue leading 10-0.
The Patriots spoiled Purdue's bid for a second shutout with two runs on two hits and an error in the stanza. The first batter reached on an error by the shortstop, but was nullified the next play as Dee Murray reached on a fielder's choice. A ground out moved her to second, setting up an RBI single to left by Ali Bryan. Bryan went to second on the throw home, then scored as Amanda Bach doubled to left. A ground out sealed the Boilermaker win.
Purdue scored 10 runs on nine hits and six Patriot miscues, led by Hall's 3-for-4 performance which included three RBI. Seven different Boilermaker batters tallied hits in the contest. George Mason managed two runs on four hits.
Junior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) moved to 8-7 on the season with the complete game victory, which included five strikeouts. Straube was charged with the loss for GMU after tossing the first three and a third innings for the Patriots.
The Boilermakers return to action at 11 a.m. Friday when they take on the Ohio Bobcats to kick off the Speedline Invitational.