Feb. 15, 2014
CONWAY, S.C. - The Boilermaker softball team experienced both sides of a run-rule game, toppling Virginia 13-3 and falling to Towson 8-0 on Day 2 of the Kickin' Chicken Classic on Saturday.
The Boilermakers exploded for 11 hits against the Cavaliers, but managed just three against the Tigers. Senior Andie Varsho went 4-for-5 on the day, while junior Ashley Burkhardt managed three hits and senior Tori Chiodo added two.
Sophomore Lilly Fecho struck out seven in a complete game win against Virginia, while junior Lexy Moore was saddled with the loss against Towson.
Purdue wraps up the weekend with a 10 a.m. Sunday rematch with Towson.
Purdue 13, Virginia 3
Eight different players registered hits, including a 3-for-3 effort by senior Andie Varsho, and sophomore Lilly Fecho got in done in the circle, striking out seven in a complete game-victory as the Boilers topped Virginia 13-3 to start Day 2 at the Kickin' Chicken Classic.
In addition to Varsho's three hit day, junior Ashley Burkhardt tallied two hits in the win.
The Boilers struck first with a run on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first. Varsho started things off with a bunt single, then stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. After a walk to senior Maia Monchek put runners at the corners, Burkhardt brought in the run with a sacrifice fly to left field.
Purdue poured on six runs on five hits and two errors in the second. Sophomore CJ Parsons started the hit parade with a one-out single, then came home on a triple by Varsho. A sacrifice fly by Monchek made it 3-0. Singles by Burkhardt and senior Danielle Fletcher and a walk to senior Lindsey Rains filled the bases for senior Tori Chiodo, who reached on a fielding error that plated two more runs. A single to left field by Fecho scored Rains and Chiodo to make it 7-0.
Virginia got one run back in the third inning with a solo home run by Marcy Bowdren.
The Boilermaker offense strung together three hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly with a trio of runs in the bottom of the inning to go ahead 10-1. Parsons drew a leadoff walk and Varsho followed with a double. A fielder's choice play at the plate was not in time, putting Burkhardt aboard and scoring Parsons. A sacrifice fly by Fletcher plated Varsho. A single by Rains and a wild pitch gave the Boilers two in scoring position, setting the table for an RBI single by Chiodo. A close play at the plate after Burkhardt's score ended the inning.
The Cavaliers brought in their second run in the midst of a Boilermaker double play in the fourth. With runners at the corners, Purdue turned two, thanks to a great play by Andrew at shortstop, but couldn't stop the run from scoring. An RBI single by sophomore Sydney Pencek and a two-run double by Burkhardt in the bottom of the fourth capped the Boilermakers' scoring. Pencek's hit came with junior Gabi Brown and sophomore Lexi Valone aboard. Brown was running for Fecho, who was hit by a pitch to start the inning, while Valone reached on a walk. Burkhardt followed with the double.
A two-out home run in the fifth gave Virginia its final run, before a pop up ended the game.
Towson 8, Purdue 0
The Towson Tigers held the Boilermaker softball team at bay for five innings, then ended the game 8-0 with an offensive onslaught in the bottom of the fifth.
Towson scored its eight runs on eight hits and three errors, while allowing Purdue just three hits in the game. Missy McCormick (2-1) earned the complete-game victory for the Tigers, while junior Lexy Moore (1-2) was saddled with the loss for the Boilermakers. Senior Lauren Grant also pitched in the game, throwing to the final four batters.
The Boilers had a runner in scoring position in the first, second, fourth and fifth, but could not push a run across. Varsho was hit by a pitch and sacrificed to second in the opening stanza. Chiodo tallied the game's first hit with a single in the second, but was left stranded at second. In the fourth, Burkhardt led off with a double and was sacrificed to third. Chiodo was hit by a pitch and swiped second, but a fly ball kept the game scoreless. Varsho and Monchek reached on a single and a walk in the fifth, but a line drive nullified the scoring opportunity.
Towson had runners at the corners with one out in the bottom of the fifth, after a walk, an error and a fielder's choice, and cashed in with a string of six straight singles and a three run home run to take the 8-0 win.