Feb. 19, 2012
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Boilermaker softball team survived a back and forth battle with Central Arkansas eventually pulling out an 8-6 win.
The Boilermakers scored their eight runs on 10 hits, while allowing the Sugar Bears six runs on nine hits. Senior Molly Garst, junior Ashley Courtney and sophomore Danielle Fletcher posted two hits apiece for Purdue.
Three Boilermaker pitchers saw time in the circle with freshman Lexy Moore (2-0) picking up the win, striking out three in the final two and a third innings of play. Senior Katie Hackney went a third of inning and freshman Alex Whittemore threw four stanzas.
The Sugar Bears put up on five runs on five hits in the first, including a leadoff home run and a string of singles. A pitching change ended the rash of hits, forcing a fielder's choice and two ground balls to end the inning.
The Boilermakers broke onto the scoreboard in the second, getting back four runs on four hits. Junior Erika Petruzzi was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, then scored on a double to left by junior Maia Monchek. Courtney tacked on another run, scoring Monchek from third after a Fletcher single. Courtney's single up the middle was followed by a passed ball, which put two in scoring position for senior Molly Garst. Garst brought both home bouncing a double off the left center wall.
Central Arkansas threatened in the third, loading the bases, but Courtney snagged a line drive and flipped it to first base to turn an inning-ending double play.
Sophomore Lindsey Rains was hit by a pitch and stole second in the third inning. Petruzzi joined her on base with a walk, but three straight fly balls kept the Boilermakers from scoring.
Purdue vaulted into the lead, stringing together singles in the fourth. Courtney, sophomore Tori Chiodo and Garst singled, setting up a two-run single by Andie Varsho. Rains walked and went to second on an attempted double steal and is joined by Monchek is hit by a pitch, but the Boilermakers left the bases full thanks to a pair of fly outs.
The Sugar Bears tied it up with a run on two hits in the fifth. A walk and a single put runners at the corners. A single after Moore took over in the circle plated the run.
A solo shot by Lauren Grant to start the bottom of the inning put the Boilermakers back on top 7-6.
A pair of walks in the sixth set the table for Fletcher, who added an insurance run with a double to the left center gap. The two-bagger scored Varsho, who walked and stole second to start the stanza. Petruzzi who drew a one-out walk went to third on the hit, but was unable to score in the inning.
Central Arkansas went down in order to cap the game. The Boilermakers (3-0) wrap up the Lobo Classic against New Mexico this afternoon.