March 30, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball team could not hold off No. 6 Michigan in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader. The Wolverines won the game 3-0 and held Purdue to just one hit for the second-straight game.
Michigan scored its three runs on nine hits, while allowing Purdue one hit, a sixth inning double by sophomore Jenna Alexander.
Jordan Taylor (16-2) earned the victory for the Wolverines, while Nikki Nemitz picked up her second save of the season after tossing the final two innings. Junior Dana Alcocer (13-6) struck out four in the complete-game loss.
Michigan loaded the bases with two hits and a walk with two outs in the opening stanza, but the Boilermakers forced a ground out to escape the inning unscathed.
The Wolverines put a runner on third in the second inning, but again Purdue held them off the scoreboard.
A fielder's choice and a single gave Michigan runners at first and second with two outs in the third. Nikki Nemitz then singled to right to drive score Samantha Findlay and put the Wolverines up 1-0. Alcocer rebounded to strike out the next batter to end the inning.
Findlay added another run for Michigan with a solo home run in the fifth.
The door was open for the Boilermakers in the sixth, but Purdue was unable to capitalize. Sophomore Jenna Alexander led off with a double to right, then junior Christina Trauger was hit by a pitch prompting a UM pitching change. Junior Kelly Miller laid down a sacrifice, but reached safely as the second baseman dropped the ball on the receiving end of the throw to first. The Boilermakers tried to take advantage of the miscue by advancing the runners further, but pinch runner Amy Butcher was thrown out at the plate and Trauger was gunned down at third after oversliding the bag. Miller went to second during the action, but a strikeout left her stranded.
A pair of walks gave Michigan base runners in the seventh as Nemitz stepped to the plate. She delivered with a single to right, driving in Findlay to make it 3-0.
The Boilermakers went down in order to end the game.
Purdue (23-10, 2-2 Big Ten) returns to action on Wednesday, when the Boilermakers welcome the IUPUI Jaguars to the Varsity Softball Complex for a 3 p.m. doubleheader.