Feb. 22, 2009
AUBURN, Ala. - A seventh-inning rally clinched the Purdue softball team a 3-1 win over Auburn Sunday afternoon to give the Boilermakers the Auburn War Eagle Classic title.
The Boilermakers scored three runs on six hits, while allowing the Tigers just one run on six hits in the contest. Six different Purdue players posted a hit in the game.
Sophomore Suzie Rzegocki (5-2) struck out three in the complete game victory, while Jenee Loree was charged with the loss after giving up three runs in the final stanza for Auburn. Anna Thompson pitched six scoreless innings for the Tigers before being relieved by Loree to start the seventh.
Junior Liane Horiuchi was walked to start the game, then swiped second and went to third on a wild pitch, but was left stranded.
The Tigers wasted a lead off hit, a sacrifice and a hit batter in the first as a pop up and ground out left two on base.
Auburn threatened in the third, loading the bases with no outs, but the Boilermaker defense held strong. A fielder's choice and a headsup double play erased the scoring threat and ended the inning.
The Boilermakers got their second base runner of the game as Rzegocki earned a two-out walk in the fourth, but a strikeout kept the game scoreless.
A pair of singles a walk filled the bases for the Tigers with two outs in the fourth, but a fielder's choice prevented them from capitalizing on the scoring opportunity.
Junior Ashley Barr poked a single through the left side to start the fifth and give Purdue its first hit. She then stole second and advanced to third on a one-out single to center by senior Christina Trauger. Trauger then swiped second and Horiuchi drew a two-out walk to load the bases. A high fly ball to deep center field wrapped up the stanza without a score.
Elizabeth Eisterhold sent a two-out pitch over the left center wall in the bottom of the inning to snap the 0-0 stalemate.
Purdue racked up three runs on four hits, including three for extra bases, in the seventh to take the lead as Jenee Loree took over in the circle for the Tigers. A pinch hit home run by senior Katie Mitchell evened the score at one apiece with one away. Senior Kelly Miller then reached on a two-out infield single, before scoring as Horiuchi bounced a double off the left center wall. Senior Candace Curtis doubled off the right field wall to plate Horiuchi and make it 3-1 Boilermakers.
The Tigers went down in order in the seventh on two strikeouts and a ground out to seal the Purdue victory.
Barr and Trauger received all-tournament team nods for their efforts at the Auburn War Eagle Classic. Each posted a .333 average to pace the Boilermakers.
The Boilermakers (7-4) return to action on March 6 at the Buzz Classic in Woodstock, Ga.