March 16, 2008
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Boilermaker softball team capitalized on an eighth-inning error in its 2-1 victory over Oklahoma State Sunday afternoon. The Cowgirls tied the game in the seventh to send it to extra stanzas.
Purdue scored two runs on five hits and an error, while allowing Oklahoma State one run on six hits.
Freshman Suzie Rzegocki (7-3) struck out one in the complete game victory, while Anna Whiddon (2-3) was saddled with the loss for OSU.
Oklahoma State tallied the first hit of the game with a second-inning double, but it was Purdue who scored first as sophomore Kelsey Haupert led off the bottom of the inning with a home run over the fence in left center. The Boilermaker hits kept coming as sophomore Ashley Barr followed with a single up the middle and sophomore Jenna Alexander dropped a single into short center field. Both runners advanced into scoring position on the play, but were left stranded by a strikeout and a fly out.
Junior Kelly Miller reached on a bunt single in the third, but was called out for leaving first baes early, marking the third out of the inning.
Junior Candace Curtis posted a leadoff single to start Purdue's half of the sixth. Pinch runner Amy Butcher went to second on a sacrifice, but the Boilermakers could not bring her around to score.
OSU led off the seventh with a walk, then sacrificed the runner to second. Jessica Meza tied the score by sending a two-out, full count single into center field.
Alexander was hit by a pitch with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but a fly ball left her stranded, sending the game to extra innings.
Breana Casaus was placed on second to start the eighth inning. Katelyn Bright hit a one-out double to left, but Casaus was only able to advance to third on the fly ball. A pop up and fly ball kept OSU from capitalizing.
JUnior Christina Trauger was placed on second to start Purdue's half of the eighth. Pinch hitter Tara Palmer sacrificed her over to third. A fly out brought up Miller, who reached on a fielding error by the third baseman, allowing the run to score.
Purdue (19-8) is slated to open its home season with a Wednesday doubleheader.