March 13, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - A controversial seventh-inning call hampered a Boilermaker comeback attempt in Tuesday evening's first contest against Fresno State. The Bulldogs won the game 4-1, leaving Purdue looking to settle the score in Game 2 of the twin bill.
Down 4-1, Purdue had the stage set for a comeback with runners at first and second in the seventh with just one out. Sophomore Alicia Spack (West Lafayette, Ind.) had drawn a lead-off walk and pinch runner Amy Butcher (Decatur, Ind.) went to second on a bunt single by junior Ashley Hall (Noblesville, Ind.). Sophomore Ashley Barr (Meridian, Idaho) then put down what appeared to be a bunt single to load the bases. However, after a lengthy discussion with the Fresno State coaching staff and the other two umpires, the plate umpire determined the bat made contact with the ball in fair territory after the initial contact, which by rule is a dead ball and an out on the batter. A strikeout then accounted for the final out.
The Boilermakers scored one run on four hits, while allowing four runs on 11 hits and two errors. Merryann Barr earned the win for Fresno State, while Robin Mackin picked up the save after tossing 1.2 innings of relief. Senior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) was saddled with the loss in a complete-game effort.
The Bulldogs struck first, combining a hit by pitch, an error, a fielder's choice and a wild pitch for a run in the bottom of the first.
The Boilermakers put a runner in scoring position in the second as senior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) drew a lead-off walk and was sacrificed over to second, but a pair of ground outs kept Purdue off the scoreboard.
Sophomore Candace Curtis (Danville, Calif.) recorded Purdue's first hit, leading off the fourth inning with a double off the left center wall. She then went to third on a ground out, before scoring on a DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) single through the right side.
Fresno State loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the inning, but a fielder's choice got Purdue out of the jam unscathed.
Sophomore Kelly Miller (Indianapolis, Ind.) reached on a fielding error by the shortstop in the fifth and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but could not score.
The Bulldogs regained the lead with three runs on four hits and an error in the bottom of the inning. A trio of singles loaded the bases for Robin Mackin, who singled to right, but a fielding error by the right fielder allowed two runs to score. A sacrifice fly with runners at first and third plated the third run.
The Boilermakers put two on with one out in the sixth. Sophomore Katie Mitchell (Crown Point, Ind.) singled to short center field and Peterson followed with a walk prompting a Fresno State pitching change. The Bulldogs' ace, Mackin, took over in the circle for starter Merryann Barr and forced a strikeout and fly out to strand the runners.