March 16, 2009
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Eight of the nine Boilermaker batters posted hits as the team snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over Florida Atlantic in Game 1 of Monday's twin bill. The squad looks to sweep the Owls with a win in Game 2, which is slated for an 8 p.m. start.
Purdue scored its three runs on nine hits and an error, led by senior Candace Curtis' 2for-3 effort, while FAU managed two runs on three hits and two Boilermaker miscues.
Sophomore Suzie Rzegocki (11-4) struck out five in the complete-game victory, while Carrie Ann Potter (4-3) was saddled with the loss for FAU.
Senior Katie Mitchell launched her fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot to left, to put the Boilermakers in the scoring column in the opening stanza. The round tripper plated junior Liane Horiuchi, who drew a leadoff walk and was sacrificed to second.
The Boilermakers left a runner in scoring position in the second, but picked up a run on a hit in the third. Horiuchi was hit by a pitch to start the stanza, then stole second before racing home as senior Candace Curtis looped a single up the right field line. A fielder's choice and double play kept the score at 3-0.
A pair of singles and an error set the table for more Boilermaker scoring, but the team could not add to its lead. Junior Jenna Alexander lasered a two-out single over the head of the third baseman. Senior Kelly Miller followed with an infield single, but the runners advanced into scoring position as the shortstop's throw to first sailed wide. A ground ball to first base left both stranded.
The Owls got two runs back on a single and a sacrifice fly in the fourth. A leadoff single and a fielder's choice gave FAU two base runners for Becky Brandies, who made good on the RBI opportunity with a single up the middle. She advanced to second on the throw home, giving the Owls runners at second and third for Brittany Walker, who plated a run with a fly ball to right. Another fly out capped the inning.
Purdue had scoring chances in each of the final three stanzas, but could not add to its three-run tally. Horiuchi singled and stole second in the fifth, but was out on a double play. Freshman Molly Garst hit a one-out single up the left line and advanced on a ground ball before being left stranded in the sixth. Senior Christina Trauger posted a bunt single and Curtis followed with a two-out single up the left line in the seventh before a ground ball to second base wrapped up the inning.
FAU went down in order on a ground ball and two strikeouts to clinch the 3-2 Purdue win.
The Boilermakers look to sweep the twin bill with a win in Game 2 which is slated for an 8 p.m. start.