April 2, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Freshman Suzie Rzegocki allowed just one hit, while the Purdue offense scored early and often in the night cap of the softball team's twin bill with IUPUI. The Boilermakers won the game 10-0 in a run-rule shortened contest.
Purdue scored its 10 runs on nine hits. Six players got in on the offensive action, including two-hit efforts by senior Ashley Hall, junior Kelly Miller and sophomore Ashley Barr. Hall's performance included the career-record tying 12th triple of her career. The effort matches that of Katie Crabtree, who tallied 12 from 1999 to 2002.
Rzegocki struck out seven in the complete-game one hit victory. Amy Raker (0-5) was saddled with the loss for IUPUI. Lea Corcoran and Sierra VanDeKeere also saw time in the circle for the Jaguars.
IUPUI had an early scoring opportunity as two batters reached on a walk and a hit by pitch in the opening stanza, but Rzegocki forced a fly out to escape unscathed.
The Boilermakers plated a run on a hit and an error in their first offensive stand. Miller reached on a fielding error by the shortstop, then stole second, opening first base for junior Candace Curtis, who walked. Junior Katie Mitchell also drew a free pass to load the bases. Barr put Purdue on the board with a single through the right side. A grounder to the shortstop kept the Boilermakers from doing further damage.
Purdue hit up Raker for three more runs on five hits and an error in the second inning. Junior Christina Trauger and Hall posted one-out singles. Miller laid down a bunt single to load the bases. The pitcher's late throw to first, however, was off the mark, allowing Trauger to score from third on the play. With Miller and Hall at second and third, Curtis singled to right, plating both and prompting the first IUPUI pitching change of the game. The Boilermakers got another single off of Corcoran, the new pitcher, but left runners at the corners at inning's end.
The Old Gold & Black hung six more runs on the Jaguars in the third. Sophomore Jenna Alexander was hit by a pitch to start the stanza. Pinch runner Kaity Stratten went to second on a sacrifice. Hall sent a two-out triple into deep left field to bring her home. Hall scored on a pass ball. Miller singled and Curtis walked, prompting IUPUI to relieve Corcoran with VanDeKeere. The change brought back-to-back walks for sophomore Kelsey Haupert and junior Alicia Spack, who picked up an RBI for her bases loaded effort. Barr drove in two more runs with a double to center. Spack scored on a wild pitch to make it 10-0. A fielder's choice finally ended the inning.
The Jaguars loaded the bases in the fourth with a double and two walks, but Rzegocki struck out the next batter to keep the shutout in tact.
IUPUI went down in order in the top of the fifth to seal the mercy-rule win for Purdue.
The Boilermakers (25-10) return to action at 7 p.m. (ET) Friday when they take on the Wisconsin Badgers. Purdue will finish the series with the Badgers on Saturday before trekking to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a doubleheader which will air tape-delayed on the Big Ten Network.