Feb. 28, 2014
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Boilermaker softball team made a late-inning comeback against No. 11 Alabama, but could not pull off the upset, falling 7-3. Junior Ashley Burkhardt hit a two-run home run in the sixth to break up a no-hitter, and the team tacked on another run in the seventh before leaving bases loaded to end the game.
Burkhardt, freshman Kristen Hoppman and senior Tori Chiodo tallied hits for the Boilers in the game, while Alabama scored seven runs on eight hits.
Leslie Jury (7-1) struck out seven batters in the complete game victory for the Crimson Tide. Junior Lexy Moore (1-4) was saddled for the loss despite striking out one in an inning and two thirds. Junior Alex Whittemore struck out one in four and a third innings of relief work.
Senior Andie Varsho drew a leadoff walk, but the Boilers couldn't capitalize on the free pass in the opening stanza.
Alabama plated two runs on one hit in the bottom of the inning. A leadoff walk and a triple off the center field wall accounted for the first score. Two walks filled the bases, then a sharp ground ball ricocheted off the pitcher to bring in the second.
The Crimson Tide added four runs on four hits in the second. A walk, a single and a sacrifice put two runners in scoring position to start the inning. Jadyn Spencer drove in two RBI with a single to left center. Two more RBI singles followed to make it 6-0.
Alabama wasted a two-out single in the third, but added another score with a leadoff home run by Kaila Hunt in the fourth.
Sophomore Sydney Pencek drew a two-out walk in the sixth and Burkhardt made the Crimson Tide pay for the free pass, launching a home run over the right field wall to give Purdue its first hit of the game and make it 7-2.
The Boilermakers tacked on another run on two hits in the seventh, but could not extend the game. Hoppman started the inning with a single. Chiodo followed with a one-out single of her own. Sophomore CJ Parsons drew a walk to fill the bases. A ground ball to third base brought Hoppman in and gave sophomore Paris Andrew a pinch hit RBI. Alabama pitched around Varsho, putting her on with another walk, before a ground ball to third base ended the comeback bid.
The Boilers return to action at noon ET Saturday when they take on No. 9 Florida State for the second time at the Easton Crimson Classic.