March 16, 2007
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Freshman Kelsey Haupert hit her second home run in as many games as the Boilermakers posted a 7-2 victory over Colorado State Friday night. The win marked the third straight for Purdue, which racked up seven runs on nine hits.
Junior Ashley Hall (Noblesville, Ind.) went 4-for-4 at the plate, including a triple, while Haupert (Olympia, Wash.) went 2-for-3 in the game with three RBI. Three other Boilermakers tallied hits in the contest.
Senior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) struck out four in the complete-game victory, while Kim Klabough was saddled with the loss for the Rams.
The Boilermakers tallied a hit in both the first and second innings, but did not break onto the scoreboard until hanging a six-spot on the Rams in the third stanza. Freshman Jenna Alexander (Rancho Murieta, Calif.) started the rally with a lead-off single. Sophomore Kelly Miller (Indianapolis, Ind.) reached on a fielder's choice and pinch runner Christina Trauger (Santa Rosa, Calif.) went to second on an error by the second baseman. Hall singled up the middle, scoring Trauger and pushing Miller to second. A ground ball gave Purdue runners at second and third. Sophomore Katie Mitchell (Crown Point, Ind.) singled up the middle, plating both runners, before advancing to second on the throw home. Senior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) was hit by a pitch, putting two on with two out for Haupert, who made it a 6-0 game with a three-run shot to center field. A CSU pitching change brought a walk and a fly out to end the inning.
CSU put a runner in scoring position in the third after a fielding error and a ground out, but could not score. The Rams loaded the bases in the sixth on a single, a walk and an error, but the Boilermaker defense kept the shutout intact.
Purdue added an insurance run in the seventh inning on two hits and an error. Hall led off with a triple to center field. She then scored on a single to left by sophomore Candace Curtis (Danville, Ind.). An error by the left fielder moved Curtis into scoring position, but a strikeout and fly out kept Purdue from adding to its 7-0 advantage.
The Rams snapped Purdue's shutout hopes with two runs on three hits and two errors in the final stanza. An error by the second baseman and two singles loaded the bases for CSU. A sacrifice fly put Colorado State on the board, then a single and an error by the left fielder plate another run. A pair of ground outs sealed the Purdue victory.
The Boilermakers (10-21) return to action at 3 p.m. (PST) Saturday when they take on Santa Clara in Day 2 action of the Capitol Classic.