Feb. 13, 2009
TALLAHASSEE, Fla - Five Boilermakers contributed hits and sophomore pitcher Suzie Rzegocki struck out five as -/No. 23 Purdue downed Miami (Ohio) 2-0 at the Florida State Sunshine Classic Friday morning.
Junior Liane Horiuchi and sophmore Shelby Krammer each supplied two of Purdue's seven hits.
The Boilermakers allowed three hits, but Rzegocki (2-0) faced just 22 batters as her teammates played shrewd defense behind her.
Each team posted a first-inning hit, but could not capitalize. Meghan Mawn tallied the game's first hit with a single up the middle. She then advanced to second on a wild pitch, but Rzegocki struck out the next batter to escape the inning unscathed.
Purdue's hit came as senior Candace Curtis stabbed a picture-pefect, two-out single off the outstretched glove of the second baseman into right field. A pop up kept her from scoring.
Junior Liane Horiuchi bounced a triple off the wall in left center to start the Purdue half of the second. A fielder's choice play at the plate kept her from scoring. Sophomore Shelby Krammer singled to short center field, pushing sophomore Beth Cinadr to second, but both were left stranded by a pop up.
Senior Kelly Miller reached on a one-out bunt single in the third, but a double play ended the inning.
Purdue threatened in the fifth, putting two aboard with a fielder's choice and a walk, but again was denied.
The Boilermakers perserverence paid off in the sixth inning as they combined a lead off walk, a sacrifice, two hits and an error for a pair of scores. Curtis drew the free pass then went to second on a sacrifice by junior Jenna Alexander. Horiuchi laid down the perfect bunt and beat out the throw to first to give Purdue runners at the corners. Horiuchi stole second and advanced to third as the catcher's errant throw sailed into center field, allowing Curtis to come home. Sophomore Beth Cinadr lifted a double into right field, trading places with Horiuchi and making it a 2-0 Boilermaker lead. A strikeout prevented any further scoring.
The Redhawks went down in order a pair of ground outs and a strike out to seal the Purdue win.
The Boilermakers (3-0) return to action at 4:45 p.m. when they take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs.