March 14, 2014
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Boilermakers split a doubleheader on the first day of the Michelle Smith Spring Break Tournament on Friday. Sophomore Lilly Fecho struck out seven batters and gave up just two hits as Purdue edged Central Michigan 2-0 in the first game, while the Boilers racked up 17 hits, including a school record tying 5-for-5 effort by senior Andie Varsho in a 6-4 loss to Bryant in Game 2.
Timely hits helped the Boilers to the first game victory, while Fecho and the defense held the Chippewas at bay. Defensive miscues were a factor in the loss to Bryant, which saw six players post multi-hit efforts.
The Boilermakers (9-15-1) are back in action at 9:30 a.m. ET Saturday vs. Quinnipiac, followed by an 11:45 contest vs. No. 12 Baylor.
Purdue 2, Central Michigan 0
The Boilermakers put up their two runs on eight hits, including a 3-for-3 effort by senior Tori Chiodo. Senior Andie Varsho and junior Gabi Brown added two hits apiece. Sophomore Lilly Fecho (7-7) struck out seven CMU batters and allowed just two hits, singles in the second and seventh, in the complete-game victory.
Varsho earned a leadoff walk in the first, but the Boilermakers could not bring her home.
Senior Danielle Fletcher put the Boilers on the board in the bottom of the second, driving in Chiodo with a double. Chiodo singled to start the inning and stole second to set up the RBI opportunity.
The Boilers combined a trio of hits for another score in the third. Varsho and Brown started the inning with singles. Chiodo cashed in the scoring chance with a two-out single to right field.
A Varsho double and single and a steal by Brown gave Purdue two runners in scoring position in the fifth, but Purdue was unable to add to the 2-0 lead.
Chiodo added her third hit with a leadoff single in the sixth, but a double play sent the game to its final stanza.
After failing to capitalize on taking advantage of runners on base in the first, second and fifth, CMU kept hope alive with a two-out single in the seventh, but a pop up capped the Boilermaker win.
Bryant 6, Purdue 4
The Bryant Bulldogs came back from a 3-0 deficit to steal away a 6-4 win over the Boilermakers to wrap up Day 1 in Clearwater.
Seven players contributed as the team piled up 17 hits, including a school-record tying 5-for-5 effort by senior Andie Varsho. Junior Gabi Brown added three hits, while seniors Tori Chiodo, Danielle Fletcher and Lindsey Rains and freshman Katy McJunkin posted two-hit days. Purdue stranded 14 runners in the game.
Bryant scored its six runs on seven hits and four miscues, while Purdue managed its four runs on 17 hits and three errors.
Elle Madsen (4-3) struck out five in the complete-game win for the Bulldogs. Junior Lexi Moore struck out eight batters in four and a third innings, while senior Lauren Grant added two Ks in the closing effort.
Varsho and Brown singled to start the Boiler hit parade. Chiodo walked to load the bases, but a double play kept the score tied at 0-0.
Purdue scored first, combining three hits for a run in the second. Rains had a leadoff single and went to second on a fielder's choice that put McJunkin aboard. A fielder's choice play at third moved McJunkin into scoring position for Varsho, who drove in the run with a double to left center. Brown followed with a bunt single to fill the bases again, but another fielder's choice play prevented the Boilers from adding to the 1-0 lead.
The Boilermakers pushed ahead 3-0 with two runs on four hits in the third. Chiodo and Fletcher singled to start the inning and McJunkin loaded the bases with a one-out single. Sophomore Mary Gooding picked up two RBI with a single through the left side. McJunkin was thrown out heading to third base on the hit and a ground out wrapped up the stanza.
Varsho had a bunt single in the fourth, but to no avail.
After stranding runners in the first, third and fourth innings, Bryant broke onto the scoreboard with five runs care of three hits and two Boilermaker miscues. A passed ball on what should have been a leadoff strikeout gave the Bulldogs life and then the runner stole second. An error allowed Bryant another base runner and was enough to put the team on the board. A hit by pitch and an error on a fielder's choice filled the bases. Madsen capitalized on the extra opportunities with a grand slam. After another single, Grant took over in the circle and forced a fielder's choice and a caught foul ball to get out of the inning.
Purdue cut into the 5-3 deficit with a run on two hits in the fifth, but left the bases full. Rains and McJunkin singled with one out and Gooding followed with a walk. Varsho came through with the two-out RBI with a single up the middle. A strikeout kept the Boilers from tying the score.
Chiodo and Fletcher singled in the sixth, but the Boilermakers could not bring them home.
The Bulldogs added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly in the seventh. A hit and an error put runners at second and third with one out, when the fly ball to center plated the run. A pop up to the pitcher prevented further damage.
The Boilermakers kept fighting, mounting a two-out rally in the seventh that fell just short. Varsho picked up her record-tying fifth hit with a two-out single. Brown added an infield single to keep things rolling, but a fielder's choice play at third base ended the game.