Feb. 23, 2008
GREENVILLE, N.C. - The Boilermaker softball team won its third extra-inning battle of the season, topping East Carolina 3-2 in eight innings Saturday night. Purdue scored the game winner on an RBI single by junior Candace Curtis.
Purdue posted three runs on seven hits, while holding the Pirates to two runs on four hits. Curtis led the Boilermaker bats with a 2-for-2 effort, including a home run, while junior Katie Mitchell also tallied two hits in the contest.
Junior Dana Alcocer (3-1) garnered the victory for Purdue, striking out four batters in seven innings of relief. Freshman Suzie Rzegocki struck out three in the first inning and also added a hit in the contest. Brooke Swann fell to 5-2 with the loss for ECU.
The Pirates struck first, scoring on a bases loaded walk in the first inning.
The Boilermakers put two on base with a leadoff single to right by Mitchell and a Rzegocki walk. A fly ball and a strikeout left them stranded.
With one out and a runner on first in the fourth inning, Curtis sent a 1-0 pitch from Swann sailing over the left field wall to give Purdue the lead. Rzegocki followed with a single up the middle, but could not score.
The Boilermakers set up another scoring opportunity in the fifth, loading the bases on a pair of singles and an intentional walk, but could not capitalize. Senior Ashley Hall led off with a bunt single. Freshman Beth Cinadr followed with a sharp single to left. A wild pitch opened first base for Curtis, who received the free pass, but a pop up kept Purdue from adding to its advantage.
In the bottom of the seventh, ECU tied the game at 2-2, capitalizing on a Boilermaker miscue for the score. The Purdue defense bounced back, however, forcing a ground out and strikeout to strand three Pirate runners.
Pinch runner Amy Butcher was placed on second base to start the eighth inning due to the international tie breaker rule. She advanced to third on a wild pitch, before scoring on a single through the left side by Curtis.
In the ECU half of the eighth, the Purdue defense came through once again, catching a runner stealing and fielding a ground out and fly out to seal the game.
The Boilermakers (7-2) return to action at 9 a.m. Sunday when they take on the Syracuse Orange.