Feb. 15, 2008
Final Stats
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WACO, Texas - The Boilermaker softball team used heads up base running and timely hits to post an 8-7 win over Centenary College to begin its stay at the Getterman Classic.
Purdue posted eight runs on 13 hits and three Centenary miscues, while the Ladies managed seven runs on seven hits and one Boilermaker error. Eight of the Boilermaker starters tallied a hit, including five who registered multi-hit efforts. Seniors Ashley Hall and Tara Palmer, juniors Katie Mitchell and Christina Trauger and freshman Beth Cinadr each recorded two hits in the contest.
Freshman Suzie Rzegocki (2-1) earned the victory on the mound for Purdue after striking out two and holding Centenary hitless in two innings of relief work. Lauren Highsmith (0-2) was saddled with the loss for the Ladies after allowing three runs in three innings of relief. Junior Dana Alcocer started the game in the circle for the Boilermakers and struck out seven batters in five innings before exiting the game.
The Boilermakers scored first, posting a run on two hits and an error in the third. Junior Kelli Miller reached on a fielding error by the third baseman to start the stanza. A sacrifice and a bunt single by sophomore Ashley Barr bumped her over to third. With runners at second and third, Cinadr singled to left center to put Purdue on the board. A fly out and ground out stranded two.
Centenary turned the tables with a five run take in the bottom of the inning. The Ladies loaded the bases with one out, then utilized on a Purdue miscue, a single and a two doubles to bring in the runs.
Purdue got three runs back in the fourth inning. Palmer doubled, then pinch runner Amy Butcher scored the following play as Trauger singled to left center. Trauger took second and moved to third on the throw home as Butcher scored safely. Junior Kelly Miller reached on a fielder's choice and stole second to put two runners in scoring position for Hall, who delivered with an RBI single to left. Hall continued to run on the play reaching second. With runners at second and third, sophomore Ashley Barr, grounded out to the shortstop, but it was enough to bring Miller in to score. Cinadr drew a walk to give Purdue runners at the corners, but she attempted to take second on the play and was stopped to end the stanza.
The Boilermakers went on top 7-5 with a three-run fifth inning. Purdue combined three hits and two Centenary miscues for the scores. Mitchell started things off with a double off the left center wall. Following a pitching change, junior Candace Curtis reached on an error by the shortstop. Mitchell and Curtis moved into scoring position on a passed ball, setting the table for Palmer, who sent a one-out single up the left field line to bring Mitchell home. Palmer went to second on the play, but Curtis was tagged out as she was caught between third and home. Trauger singled to shortstop to send Palmer to third, but both advanced another base as the shortstop's throw to first sailed into the dugout. A wild pitch put Trauger on third. She then avoided a tag attempt by the third baseman on a fielder's choice to score.
Centenary answered in the bottom of the fifth. A two-out walk followed by a home run tied the game.
Purdue managed a run on a hit in the seventh to score the game winner. Palmer drew a lead off walk and was sacrificed over to third. Hall came through with a two-out single up the middle to drive in the run.
The Ladies went down in order in the seventh to clinch the Purdue victory.
The Boilermakers return to action at 6:30 ET, when they take on the host No. 7 Baylor Bears. Live statistics of the game will be available on purduesports.com by clicking on the GameTracker link. Live audio of the game, provided by baylorbears.com, will be available by clicking on the listen link on purduesports.com.