Feb. 19, 2014
Complete Release in PDF Format
The Slate
Wilson/DeMarini Classic ~ Jane B. Moore Field ~ Auburn, Ala.
Saturday, Feb. 22
2:15 p.m. vs. Samford
7 p.m. vs. Jacksonville State
Sunday, Feb. 23
10:30 a.m. vs. Mississippi Valley State
12:30 p.m. at Auburn
Live Stats: purduesports.com
Video (Auburn): here
The Book on the Boilermakers
At First Glance: Purdue (4-4-1) will hit the road for the third straight weekend, heading to Auburn, Ala., for the Wilson/DeMarini Classic. The team returns 17 players from its 2013 squad which posted a 21-32 mark, an 8-14 Big Ten mark and Big Ten Tournament second round appearance. Seven position starters and three starting pitchers return, while five newcomers join the roster. Head coach Kim Schuette is in her first season with the Boilermakers after spending the last eight years as head coach at Eastern Illinois.
Last Time Out: The Boilermakers posted a 3-2 record at the Kickin' Chicken Classic in Conway, S.C., last weekend, splitting contests with Coastal Carolina (L 0-3, W 11-5) and Towson (L 0-8, W 11-7) and also defeating Virginia (W 13-3). Junior Ashley Burkhardt and senior Andie Varsho were named to the all-tournament team.
Statistically Speaking: First baseman Ashley Burkhardt (.467) and outfielder Andie Varsho (.429) lead the Boilermaker bats, while six other players are batting .250 or better. Burkhardt boasts a .467 average, including five doubles and four home runs, as well as a team-best 14 RBI and 11 runs scored. Varsho has added nine runs and five stolen bases. Catcher Danielle Fletcher (.333), outfielder Maia Monchek (.318), outfielder Lindsey Rains (.286), catcher Katy McJunkin (.286), infielder Kristen Hoppman (.286) and infielder Tori Chiodo (.250) follow. Fletcher has driven in six RBI and launched two home runs, while Rains has added three doubles and seven RBI. As a team, the Boilers are batting .311 with nine home runs and 13 stolen bases.
In the circle, the Purdue staff has combined for 49 strikeouts in 58 innings. Sophomore Lilly Fecho (3-2) has done the bulk of the pitching, striking out 34 in 33 innings, including five complete games. Junior Lexy Moore (1-2) has added eight Ks in nine innings, while senior Lauren Grant has struck out four batters in nine innings. Junior Alex Whittemore has issued three Ks in six innings.
In 2013, the Boilermakers batted .269, led by a group of five battters hitting .250 or better. Outfielder Andie Varsho led the way with a .415 average, 39 RBI, 35 runs, five home runs and 29 stolen bases. Second baseman Ashley Burkhardt boasted a .321 average with a team-best 40 runs, 13 RBI and 20 steals. Outfielders Lindsey Rains (.300) and Maia Monchek (.292) and third baseman Tori Chiodo (.264) rounded out the group. Rains scored 33 runs, drove in 19 RBI and added 25 stolen bases, while catcher Danielle Fletcher (.245) added 33 RBI and tallied a team-leading six home runs. Eight different players contributed to the Boilermakers' tally of 19 home runs. Purdue also was 120-for-148 in stolen base attempts.
Three pitchers return from the 2013 roster, accounting for all but 16 innings and five strikeouts of the staff's totals. Sophomore Lilly Fecho (8-16) struck out 107 batters in 156 innings, including nine complete games and two saves. Junior Lexy Moore (10-14) struck out 97 batters in 169 innings, including a shutout, while junior Alex Whittemore (2-0) issued 18 Ks in 28 innings.
Series Information
Samford (Purdue leads the series 1-0): Purdue won the lone previous meeting with the Bulldogs on Feb. 22, 2004 at the Sonic Challenge in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Jacksonville State (Purdue leads the series 2-0): The Boilermakers won both previous meetings with the Gamecocks, with a 5-4 decision on Feb. 8, 2008 at the Hampton Inn Bama Bash in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and a 4-3 eight-inning effort on March 7, 2009 at the Buzz Classic in Woodstock, Ga.
Mississippi Valley State (Purdue leads the series 2-0): Purdue won both previous meetings with the Delta Devils, posting a pair of wins (5-0 and 7-2) at the Louisiana Classic in Lafayette, La., on Feb. 18-19, 2005.
Auburn (The series is tied 1-1): The Boilermakers and Tigers split their two previous meetings. Auburn took the series opener with a 7-2 win on Feb. 9, 2001 at the Auburn Invitational. The Boilermakers evened the score with a 3-1 win on Feb. 22, 2009 at the Auburn War Eagle Classic.
What a Difference a Win Makes ...
If the Boilermakers top Samford on Saturday...
- They will move to 5-4-1 on the season.
- They will move to 125-100-1 all-time in the month of February, including a 6-0 mark on Feb. 22.
- It would move the team's record to 250-179-1 all-time in neutral site non-conference games.
Scouting Samford
At First Glance: The Samford Bulldogs (7-2) will play a Wednesday doubleheader against Austin Peay before heading to Auburn for the Wilson/DeMarini Classic. The Bulldogs return 11 letterwinners, including seven starters, from the 2013 team that went 17-35 including a ninth place finish in Southern Conference play. Samford is coached by Mandy Burford, who is in her third year with the team.
Last Time Out: The Bulldogs went 3-1 last week at their own Samford Invitational, topping Belmont (9-3), Evanville (2-1) and Eastern Kentucky (3-2), before falling to Belmont 18-8.
Statistically Speaking: Outfielder Megan Dowdy leads a group of nine players batting .250 or better, including five with averages over .300. Dowdy boasts a .355 average with six runs, five RBI and a team-best eight stolen bases. Outfielder Caroline Seay (.316), catcher Hannah Taylor (.300), outfielder Caitlin Bice (.300), infielder Abbie Miranda (.300), infielder Callie Brister (.259), infielder Abby Adams (.250), outfielder Caroline Wilder and catcher Abby Sweeney (.250) follow. Brister has driven in a team-best 11 RBI and is one of three players, along with Miranda and Adams credited with three home runs. Miradna has scored a team-best seven runs, while Adams adds eight RBI. As a team, Samford is batting .258 with 11 home runs and 16 stolen bases.
Junior Mollioe Hanson leads the Bulldog pitching corps with a 3-2 record, a 2.69 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 26 innings of work. Freshman Grey Adams (2-0) has added 12 Ks in 16 innings, while junior Shelby Scott (1-0), freshman lefty Rebecca Leonard (1-0) and freshman Jessica Stone also have seen time in the circle, combining for 11 strikeouts in 20 innings.
Dowdy is the team's top returning hitter after posting a .248 average with 17 runs and six RBI in 2013. Abby Adams (.229), Brister (.225), Seay (.221) and infielder Rachel Bickert (.215) also batted over .200. Brister scored 19 runs and drove in 16 RBI, while Adams posted 19 runs and 15 RBI. As a team, Samford batted .217 with 20 home runs and 26 stolen bases. In the circle, Hanson (7-8) with 102 stirkeouts in 83 innings and Scott (7-16) with 67 strikeouts in 117 innings both return.
Getting to Know the Gamecocks
At First Glance: The Jacksonville State Gamecocks (7-3) bring a three-game win streak into the Wilson/DeMarini Classic. The Gamecocks return 10 letterwinners, including six starters and three pitchers, from the 2013 team which went 30-27, won the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Regionals. JSU is coached by Jana McGinnis, who is in her 20th year with the team.
Last Time Out: The Gamecosks posted a 4-1 mark at the Charleston Southern Tournament last weekend, taking a pair of games from St. Bonaventure (12-0, 7-2) and going 2-1 against Charleston Southern (L 0-3, W 9-1, 5-2).
Statistically Speaking: Infielder Sara Border (.545) leads a group of seven JSU players with averages of .250 or better. Borders has scored a team-best 13 runs and added 10 RBI and two home runs. Infielder Kalee Tabor (.500), utility player Taylor Sloan (.462), outfielder Stephanie Lewis (.462), catcher Jamie McGuire (.333), infielder Cadi Oliver (.310) and infielder Savannah Sloan (.294) follow. Tabor has driven in a team-leading 13 RBI, scored 11 runs and launched five home runs. Taylor Sloan adds 10 runs to the team's tallies, while Oliver has registered 10 RBI and two home runs. Savannah Sloan has swiped a team-best five bases. As a team, JSU is batting .347 with 12 home runs and 11 stolen bases.
Five different pitchers have seen time in the circle for the Gamecocks with senior Tiffany Harbin (2-2) leading the way with 29 strikeouts in 23 innings. Sophomore Casey Akenberger (2-1) has struck out four batters in 13 innings, while freshman Logan Green (2-0) has added six Ks in eight innings. Freshmen Brooke Carvey (1-0) and Jordan Sims (0-0) have combined for seven strikeouts in 10 innings. The staff is holding foes to a .236 average.
In 2013, Borders (.342), Savannah Sloan (.297) , Tabor (.286) and utility player Ella Denes (.261) batted over .250. Borders racked up a team-best 41 RBI, 36 runs, 17 doubles and 11 home runs. Sloan scored 28 runs and accounted for 20 RBI, while Tabor added 36 RBI, seven home runs and 19 runs. As a team, JSU batted .273 with 35 home runs and 33 steals. In the circle, Harbin posted a 17-15 mark with 263 strikeouts in 230 innings, while Akenberger (3-6) issued 25 Ks in 49 innings.
Discussing the Devilettes
At First Glance: The Missisippi Valley State Devilettes (1-7) look to snap a five-game losing streak at the Wilson/DeMarini Classic this weekend. MVSU returns six starters from the 2013 team that went 25-32, won the Southwestern Conference Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Regionals. The Devilettes are coached by Lee Smith, who is in his 13th year with the team.
Last Time Out: The Devilettes lost three games to Northwestern State in Natchitoches, La., last weekend, falling 0-9, 0-11, 0-8.
Statistically Speaking: Outfielder Yasmin Battle leads the MVSU bats with a .273 average, including a triple and two runs, while outfielders Omeshia Moffett (.250) and Jahcenda Garrett (.235) follow. Moffett has scored three of the team's 10 runs and added a triple, while infielder Brandi Williams (.083) has accounted for a team-best three RBI. As a team, the Devilettes area batting .162 with three triples and four stolen bases.
Senior Cassandra Rivera (0-5) has done the bulk of the pitching, striking out 15 batters in 27 innings. Junior Tenna Patterson (1-2) has struck out three batters in 12 innings, while freshman Taliyah Riddick-Waters had added one K in two thirds of an inning of work. The staff is allowing opponents a .355 average and 27 extra-base hits including 10 home runs.
Outfielder Natalia Covarrubias is the team's top returning hitter, posting a .241 average, 17 RBI, 23 runs and 10 stolen bases in 2013. Battle (.239), outfielder Tracey Williams (.233), Garrett (.192) and Moffett (.165) also return to the offense. Battled put up 26 runs, 20 RBI and three triples, while Moffett added 19 runs and seven steals. As a team, MVSU batted .252 with 27 home runs and 42 steals. Rivera is the lone returner in the circle, having posted a 2-4 record with 26 Ks in 37 innings.
Talking About the Tigers
At First Glance: The Auburn Tigers (9-1-1) will spend their third straight weekend at home, playing host to the Wilson/DeMarini Classic this weekend. The Tigers return 14 letterwinners, including 11 starters, from the 2013 team which went 30-23 and finished 13th in the ACC. The Tigers are coached by Clint Myers, who is in his first year with the team.
Last Time Out: The Tigers are on a six-game win streak, including a 5-0 mark at the Tiger Invitational last weekend. Auburn topped Marshall (19-5 (5)), Loyola (11-2 (5)), Nebraska-Omaha (4-2), Western Illinois (6-0) and Winthrop (16-0 (5)).
Statistically Speaking: Seven Tiger starters are batting .270 or better led by infielder Emily Carosone (.407) and utility player Kasey Cooper (.406). Outfielder Branndi Molero (.379), outfielder Morgan Estell (.375), catcher McKenzie Kilpatrick (.303), catcher/DP Austyn West (.280) and shortstop Kelsey Bogaards (.273) round out the group. Molero has driven in a team-best 18 RBI, scored 12 runs and added three home runs. Estell has scored a team-leading 17 runs, while also adding 16 RBI, six doubles and three home runs. Kilpatrick also has three home runs to her credit and adds 13 RBI. Carosone has scored 16 runs and driven in 10 RBI, while Cooper has managed 14 RBI, 13 runs and two home runs. As a team, Auburn is batting .315 with 18 home runs (by nine different players) and six stolen bases.
In the circle, sophomores Lexi Davis (4-1) and Marcy Harper (5-0) have done the bulk of the pitching, while freshman lefty Jenna Abbott (0-0) and senior Hilary Mavromat (0-0) have seen limited action. Davis has struck out 30 batters in 34 innings and boasts a 1.41 ERA, while Harpert has issued 26 Ks in 28 innings. The staff is holding foes to a .176 average.
The Tigers return their top four hitters from 2013 in Carosone (.389), Melero (.366), Estell (.344) and outfielder Tiffany Howard (.310). Melero drove in a team-best 46 RBI, scored 37 and added 10 home runs and 10 steals. Estell scored 60 runs and added 11 steals and four homers. Carosone chipped in 36 runs, 14 doubles, four homers and 13 steals. As a team, Auburn batted .2979 with 32 home runs and 74 stolen bases. In the circle, Harper posted a 16-10 mark with 123 strikeouts and a 2.96 ERA in 161 innings. Davis (9-9) added 72 Ks in 103 innings and Mavromat went 5-4 with 44 Ks in 71 innings.
Burkhardt Named Big Ten Co-Player of the Week
Junior first baseman Ashley Burkhardt was rewarded for her stellar offensive efforts at the Kickin' Chicken Classic as she garnered Big Ten Co-Player of the Week honors, Feb. 18.
Burkhardt, who was named to the Kickin' Chicken Classic all-tournament team, led the Boilermaker bats with a .533 average, a 1.333 slugging percentage and .500 on-base percentage, while also racking up a team-leading 12 RBI and eight runs. The junior had a hit in all five of Purdue's games, including multi-hit efforts in both games against Coastal Carolina and also against Virginia. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native racked up eight hits, including six for extra bases.
Burkhardt had two of the team's four hits in Game 1 vs. Coastal Carolina and came up big in Game 2 with a Purdue game-record tying two home runs, with five RBI and three runs scored, including the game winning RBI and score. Against Virginia, she went 2-for-3 with four RBI and two runs, including the game winner. In Game 1 with Towson, Burkhardt came through with one of Purdue's three hits. The first baseman wrapped up the weekend with a home run, three runs and three RBI in the finale against Towson.