April 26, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Late-inning errors cost the Purdue softball for the second-straight game as the No. 25 Iowa Hawkeyes topped the Boilermakers 8-5 on Saturday. Purdue led the game 3-0 after five innings, but lost after allowing eight unearned runs in the final two stanzas.
The Boilermakers scored five runs on three hits and two Iowa miscues, while allowing the Hawkeyes eight runs on 10 hits and three errors.
Brittany Weil (22-11) earned the victory for Iowa, tossing six innings of relief, while freshman Suzie Rzegocki (14-8) struck out three in the complete-game effort for Purdue.
The Boilermakers struck first with a run on an error in the bottom of the first. Senior Ashley Hall was hit by a pitch to start the inning. She was sacrificed to second, from which she scored as junior Candace Curtis reached on an error by the center fielder.
Purdue added two more runs to its tally in the second. Junior Katie Mitchell and sophomore Ashley Barr walked to start the frame prompting an Iowa pitching change. Weil entered the game to relieve Amanda Zust, but could not prevent the Boilermakers from scoring. A bunt single loaded the bases for Kelly Miller who looped a two-out single into left field, plating both runs. Another walked filled the basepaths again, but a pop up stranded the runners.
A walked and a sacrifice gave Purdue a runner in scoring position again in the third and the fourth, but the Boilermakers were unable to capitalize on either opportunity.
The Hawkeyes broke onto the scoreboard with two runs on three hits and an error in the sixth. With a runner at third and two outs, Erin Riemersma reached on a fielding error by the third baseman, allowing the first run to score. A Katie Brown single with runners at first and second cut the Purdue lead to one. A caught foul ball prevented further damage.
Iowa put up six runs on four hits and two errors in the seventh to take an 8-3 lead. The Hawkeyes loaded the bases on a single, an intentional walk and a fielding error by the third baseman. A fielding error by the shortstop followed, allowing two to score. Riemersma singled to center field to bring in another run, then a Katie Brown single to left plated to more. An Emily Nichols tripled gave the Hawkeyes a five-run advantage.
Purdue looked to rebound in the bottom of the inning and managed two runs on a hit and a Hawkeye miscue. Curtis drew a two-out walk and moved to second as sophomore Kelsey Haupert reached on a fielding error by the second baseman. Sophomore Jenna Alexander followed with a double to left center, scoring both. A fly ball to center field sealed the Iowa victory.
The Boilermakers (31-19, 6-8 Big Ten) return to action at noon Sunday when they take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in a doubleheader.