March 1, 2014
TUSCALOOSA, Ala . - The Boilermaker softball team hung with another Top 10 foe until the end, falling 4-1 despite a seventh-inning rally.
Florida State managed its four runs on seven hits, while Purdue scored its one run on six hits and three FSU miscues. Sophomore Mary Gooding led the way with a 2-for-3 effort.
Jessica Burroughs (8-0) struck out three and allowed Purdue's its one run in the win, while Jessica Nori picked up her third save of the season, tossing the final two and two thirds innings. Junior Alex Whittemore was saddled with the loss after going an inning and a third, while junior Lexy Moore struck out one in the final five and two thirds.
The Seminoles scored two runs on three walks, a hit by pitch and a single in the second. Three straight walks filled the bases with one out. The next batter was hit, driving in the first run. Moore took over in the circle and forced a fielder's choice play at the plate. A single to the shortstop brought in the second score but a fly ball stranded three.
Senior Tori Chiodo drew a two-out walk and Gooding followed with a single to left, Purdue's first hit of the game, but the Boilers could not score.
FSU combined three singles and a sacrifice fly for a run in the third inning.
The Boilers threatened in the third, but could not push a run across. Senior Andie Varsho was hit by a pitch and stole second before going to third on a single by junior Ashley Burkhardt. A strikeout kept Purdue from converting on the RBI chance.
Maddie O'Brien made it 4-0 with a leadoff home run in the fifth.
Purdue got the run back in the bottom of the fifth with a hit and two FSU errors. Gooding started things off with a single. A walk put Varsho on and senior Maia Monchek reached on an all-hands safe fielder's choice play. A throwing error by the second baseman on the fielder's choice allowed Gooding to go home. Another miscue filled the bases again, but a fielder's choice play at the plate and a fly ball kept the Boilers from cutting into the deficit further.
The Boilermakers had the tying run at the plate in the seventh, but FSU cut the Purdue rally short. Monchek singled to start the offensive push and went to second on a two-out pinch hit single by freshman Katy McJunkin. A fielder's choice play at third base gave the Seminoles the win.
Purdue (5-10-1) returns to action at 7 p.m. ET vs. Houston.