May 9, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - It took eight innings, but the Boilermaker softball team escaped Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader with Indiana with a 2-1 win.
Senior Candace Curtis played the role of the hero, giving Purdue the 2-1 lead with an RBI single in the eighth. The base knock through the left side plated junior Liane Horiuchi, who had drawn a one-out walk and was waiting on second after a ground out.
Emily Bergeson sent a leadoff single into short center field to keep hope alive for the Hoosiers in the final stanza. Berson was caught stealing, then a strikeout and ground out sewed up the win.
Purdue scored its two runs on four hits, including a 2-for-4 effort and two RBI by Curtis. Indiana managed one run on six hits.
Sophomore Suzie Rzegocki (23-11) struck out seven in the complete-game victory, while Sara Olson (7-14) was saddled with the loss for the Hoosiers.
The Boilermakers put two runners on in the opening stanza as Horiuchi sent a leadoff double into right center and freshman Molly Garst drew a walk, but both were caught in base running miscues. Horiuchi was picked off after the double and Garst was called for leaving first base early for the inning's second out. A deep fly ball wrapped up the stanza.
The Hoosiers posted a second inning single, but the Boilermaker defense nullified the hit with a double play.
A pair of two-out walks put senior Kelly Miller and Horiuchi on in the third, but a grounder to the pitcher left both stranded. Miller earned the first free pass and swiped second before Horiuchi came aboard.
Indiana stranded two in the fourth. A fielder's choice and a two-out single up the middle accounted for the runners, before a pop up to second base ended the inning.
Purdue snapped the scoreless tie with a run on two hits in the sixth. Garst tapped a one-out single through the left side and stole second. Curtis bounced a double off the left field wall to pick up the RBI. A grounder pushed Curtis to third, but another ground out kept the Boilermaker lead at 1-0.
The Hoosiers threatened in the bottom of the sixth, but left runners at first and second at inning's end. A fielder's choice play at third stranded the pair, who reached on a fielder's choice and walk.
Brittany Stein tied the score with a leadoff solo shot to right field in the Hoosier half of the seventh. The Boilermakers retired the next three batters in order to send the game to extra innings.
Purdue (28-18, 11-8 Big Ten) look to wrap up the regular season with a Game 2 victory over the Hoosiers. First pitch of the night cap is slated for 3:30 p.m.