March 16, 2008
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Purdue softball team got back on the winning track with a 3-2 victory over Fordham Sunday morning. The Boilermakers were forced to hold off a late-inning charge from the Rams en route to the win.
Purdue scored its three runs on six hits and three Fordham miscues, while the Rams plated two runs on five hits and one Boilermaker error.
Junior Dana Alcocer (12-5) struck out four in the winning effort, while freshman Suzie Rzegocki struck out one in the seventh inning en route to the save. Allison Twarowski was saddled with the loss for Fordham.
The Boilermakers combined a hit, an error and a sacrifice for a run in the top of the first. Junior Candace Curtis reached on a fielding error by the shortstop to start the game. A sacrifice moved her to second, setting up an RBI double up the left field line by sophomore Kelsey Haupert.
Freshman Beth Cinadr added another hit to the Boilermakers' tally, dropping a leadoff single into shallow center field in the third inning. She moved to second on a sacrifice, but was unable to score.
The Rams posted a pair of two out singles in the third, but to no avail.
Sophomore Ashley Barr and senior Tara Palmer recorded back-to-back singles in the fourth. The pair moved into scoring position on a sacrifice, but was left stranded as a ground ball to the pitcher ended the inning.
Junior Kelly Miller hit a slow roller to the shortstop for a two-out single in the fifth, then moved to third with a stolen base and a wild pitch. A fly out, however, kept Purdue from adding to its lead.
The Boilermakers scored two runs on a hit and two errors in the sixth. Haupert walked to start the stanza. Fordham committed two throwing errors the following play allowing pinch runner Amy Butcher to come home as Barr laid down the sacrifice. The pitcher's throw to first sailed high, pushing Butcher to third. The first baseman recovered the ball and sent an errant throw to second, allowing Barr to advance to second as Butcher scored. Barr went to third on a fly out, before coming home on a single through the left side by freshman Suzie Rzegocki.
Fordham cut the Purdue lead to one with a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the inning. A fielding error by the center fielder gave the Rams a base runner. Allison Twarowski then reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on a wild pitch. Melissa Andrew then singled and stole second to put both runners in scoring position. A ground ball to third base brought in one run, then a Allison Storc single plated the other.
The Rams tallied a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh, but a fly ball nullified it, sewing up the win for Purdue.
The Boilermakers (18-8) return to action at 11:30 a.m. when they take on Oklahoma State to wrap up the Under Armour Showcase.