April 21, 2007
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball team could not manage an upset victory over No. 9 Michigan on Saturday, but did post two record-setting performances. Junior Ashley Hall set the single-season hits record with her 76th base hit, and sophomore Katie Mitchell launched her single-season record 13th home run.
Hall's hit snapped the previous record of 75 hits, set by Jenny Schoen during the 1997 season. Mitchell's long ball broke the previous record of 12 set by Katie Crabtree during both the 2000 and 2002 seasons.
Michigan jumped onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the first on a two-run home run by Samantha Findlay. The Wolverines loaded the bases on two singles and an error, but could not add to their lead.
The Wolverines added two more runs on four hits in the second. With runners at the corners, Rebekah Milian singled to left to account for the first score, prompting a Purdue pitching change. Sophomore Ashley DiDomenico (Youngstown, Ohio) took over in the circle and after allowing Findlay a single, sat Michigan down in order via pop up, strike out and ground out.
Purdue got its first hit of the game in the fourth as Mitchell spoiled Michigan's shutout bid with a lead off home run to center field, setting the single-season mark.
The Boilermakers pulled within one after posting two runs on four hits in the sixth. Senior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) led off with a single to center field. Pinch runner Amy Butcher (Decatur, Ind.) went to second on an infield single by Mitchell (Crown Point, Ind.). Hall (Noblesville, Ind.) extended her current hit streak to 20 games and snapped the single-season record with an RBI single up the left line, driving in Butcher. The Wolverines replaced starting pitcher Nikki Nemitz with Lorilyn Wilson following the play. A ground out gave Purdue two runners in scoring position. Freshman Kelsey Haupert (Olympia, Wash.) filled the empty space at first on an intentional walk. Freshman Jenna Alexander (Rancho Murieta, Calif.) made it a one-run game with a single through the left side. Mitchell scored on the play, but Hall was tagged out at the plate trying to tie the game.
Michigan responded with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the inning to pull away from the Boilermakers. A pair of singles and a sacrifice gave the Wolverines runners at the corners. An RBI single to center by Milian followed. With the bases loaded after a fielder's choice and a walk, Tiffany Worthy put singled to center, scoring two more.
Senior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) reached on a fielding error by the shortstop in the seventh. Pinch runner Ashley Barr (Meridian, Idaho) went to second on a ground out, but a strikeout cut short Purdue's bid for a comeback.
The Boilermakers scored three runs on five hits and an error, led by Mitchell's 2-for-3 effort. Michigan scored seven runs on 14 hits and an error.
Nemitz (16-4) earned the victory for the Wolverines, while Wilson picked up the save. Senior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) was saddled with the loss for the Boilermakers after giving up four runs in just over an inning of work.
The Boilermakers look to get back on the winning track in a Sunday doubleheader with Michigan State. Game 1 is slated to begin a noon.