Feb. 9, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Boilermaker softball team ended its time at the Hampton Inn Bama Bash with a 2-2 record after falling to the No. 4 Crimson Tide Saturday night. Alabama won the contest 11-0.
Purdue managed two hits in the game, a second inning double by junior Candace Curtis and a fifth-inning single by junior Christina Trauger, and left five runners on base. For its part, the Crimson Tide scored 11 runs on eight hits and two Boilermaker miscues.
Alabama scored first, posting two runs on two hits and an error in the bottom of the first. An RBI single drove in the first run, while the second scored on an errant throw by the catcher on a stolen base attempt.
Purdue threatened in the second, putting two runners in scoring position with on a double and an error, but could not manage a run. Junior Candace Curtis led off with a double into the left field corner. Sophomore Ashley Barr laid down a sacrifice to move Curtis to third and reached base on a fielding error by the pitcher. She continued on to second on the play. A pair of strikeouts kept either from scoring.
The Crimson Tide upped its advantage to 6-0 with a two-out grand slam in the bottom of the inning. A pair of walks and a single loaded the bases for Dani Woods, whose hit cleared the right field wall.
Alabama added five more runs on four hits to extend the lead. Sophomore Sarah Killer took over on the mound for the Boilermakers with no outs and a 9-0 score. She forced three fly balls in six batters to get Purdue out of the inning.
Not willing to go down without a fight, the Boilermakers put two runners on in the top of the fifth. Freshman Shelby Krammer reached on a one-out fielding error by the first baseman. Pinch runner Amy Butcher advanced to second as junior Christina Trauger singled to short. A ground ball to third base ended Purdue's rally hopes.
At game's end, senior Ashley Hall and Curtis were named to the 10-member all-tournament team. Curtis hit .444 on the weekend with two RBI, two stolen bases and one run, while Hall batted .385 with two triples, two runs and an RBI.
The Boilermakers (2-2) return to action on Friday, when they take on Centenary College at the Getterman Classic in Waco, Texas.