April 4, 2008
MADISON, Wis. - Freshman Suzie Rzegocki struck out seven Badgers, while her offense posted five runs on six hits, including three home runs, in a 5-2 win over Wisconsin Friday night. Sophomore Jenna Alexander tallied two of the long balls, tying the Purdue single-game record.
Senior Ashley Hall (2-for-4) and Alexander (2-for-2) combined for four of Purdue's six hits. Wisconsin scored its two runs on six hits.
Rzegocki (11-4) earned the complete-game victory, while Leah Vanevenhoven (4-13) was saddled with the loss.
Wisconsin scored first with a run on three hits in the bottom of the first. With runners at first and second and one out, Valyncia Raphael doubled to left center to put the Badgers on the board. A pair of strikeouts brought Purdue to the plate.
Junior Katie Mitchell evened the score with a single swing of the bat, launching a solo shot over the left field wall, her fifth of the season. Two batters later sophomore Jenna Alexander duplicated the effort with a long ball of her own, also to left. Senior Tara Palmer was hit by a pitch, but left stranded.
The Boilermakers had another scoring opportunity, loading the bases in the third, but could not capitalize. Senior Ashley Hall led off with an infield single and junior Kelly Miller reached on a fielding error by the shortstop. Sophomore Kelsey Haupert was then intentionally walked to fill the bases. The strategy worked for the Badgers as the next two Boilermakers struck out to end the inning.
Alexander made it 3-1 as she led off the fourth with another home run to left, becoming the ninth player in school history to tally two home runs in a game.
Wisconsin put a runner on third in the fourth with a single, a ground out and a wild pitch, but the Boilermakers caught her trying to steal home, nullifying the opportunity.
With the bases juiced in the seventh, Haupert hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring junior Christina Trauger who drew a leadoff walk and advanced around the bases on a single by Hall and a sacrifice. Hall then scored from third on a wild pitch. The Boilermakers stranded runners at the corners with a strikeout.
The Badgers threatened a comeback putting two on with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh. The Boilermaker defense held, however, forcing a pop up, a fly out, but Raphael tallied her second RBI double of the game to keep the inning going and give Wiscnsin its second run. A ground ball to the second baseman sealed the Purdue win.
The Boilermakers (26-10, 3-2 Big Ten) return to action at 2 p.m. ET when they face the Badgers (10-26, 0-5 Big Ten) in a rematch.