March 22, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Boilermaker softball team racked up 22 runs on 25 hits in a doubleheader sweep of Penn State on Saturday. Purdue won the first game 9-2 and capped the twin bill with a 13-4 run-rule shortened contest.
The Boilermakers had 10 extra-base hits, including four home runs in the games. Senior Tori Chiodo and junior Ashley Burkhardt had two hits each in the first game, while four players registered multi-hit efforts in the night cap. Burkhardt, seniors Andie Varsho, Danielle Fletcher and Maia Monchek each had three hits in the game. Varsho tied the school game record for doubles with three in the contest, matching Andrea Hillsey's three double effort vs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi on March 3, 2002.
Sophomore Lilly Fecho earned the complete-game victory in Game 1, while junior Lexy Moore picked up the win in Game 2.
Purdue returns to action at 4 p.m. Wednesday when the team takes on UIC at the Boilermaker Softball Complex.
Purdue 9, Penn State 2
The Boilermakers racked up nine runs on 10 hits, including home runs by seniors Tori Chiodo and Danielle Fletcher, to secure the season series with the Nittany Lions, in a 9-2 win.
Penn State managed its two runs on four hits, while Chiodo and junior Ashley Burkhardt had two hits apiece for the Boilers in the win.
Sophomore Lilly Fecho (12-8) struck out two batters in the complete-game victory. Macy Jones (0-5) gave up five runs in the first four innings en route to the loss. Christy Von Pusch closed out the game for PSU.
Both teams managed a first inning single, but neither could capitalize on the hit. Senior Tori Chiodo sent a two-out single up the middle for the Boilers, while PSU got a one-out single.
Chiodo put the Boilers on the board with a three-run shot to right with two outs in the third. The long ball, which was the senior's second in as many days and third on the season, followed a leadoff single by senior Maia Monchek and a hit by pitch that put senior Andie Varsho aboard.
Penn State got one run back in the bottom of the inning, combining a one-out walk and a double to the left center gap for a score.
A towering leadoff home run by senior Danielle Fletcher in the fourth gave the Boilers a 4-1 advantage.
The Nittany Lion's Karlie Habitz answered Fletcher's shot with a home run of her own in the bottom of the inning.
An RBI single by junior Ashley Burkhardt put Purdue ahead 5-2 in the fifth. Burkhardt's hit drove in senior Lindsey Rains, who was hit by a pitch and went to second on a double play. The Boilers loaded the bases as Fletcher and freshman Katy McJunkin drew walks, but an infield grounder capped the stanza. Varsho also had a single in the inning, but it was erased by the double play.
The Boilers tacked on a run on a two-out walk and a hit in the sixth. Varsho drew her second walk of the game and stole second. Rains followed with a single to left field. The speedy Varsho charged for home and was ruled safe as the catcher dropped the ball after the play at the plate. Rains headed for third after the bobble, but was called out to end the inning.
Purdue put up three insurance runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach. Chiodo drew a leadoff walk and went to third on a pair of passed balls to set the table for an RBI single by Burkhardt. Fletcher walked and McJunkin loaded the bases with a bunt single. Pinch hitter CJ Parsons drove in two runs with a double to deep left field.
Fecho sat the Nittany Lions down in order with two fly balls and pop up in the seventh to seal the win.
Purdue 13, Penn State 4
Purdue jumped out to a quick lead and continued scoring throughout, including seven runs in the fifth to seal the 13-4 mercy rule win.
The Boilermakers scored their 13 runs on 15 hits, including three hit efforts by seniors Andie Varsho, Danielle Fletcher and Maia Monchek and junior Ashley Burkhardt. Penn State scored four runs on six hits and two errors.
Junior Lexy Moore (2-7) earned the win for Purdue, striking out one in four innings. Junior Alex Whittemore struck out the side in the fifth to cap the game. Marlaina Laubach (4-8) was saddled with the loss for Penn State, tossing four innings. Marissa Diescher and Christy Von Pusch also saw action in the game for the Nittany Lions.
The Boilermakers jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead just four batters in to the opening stanza. Varsho led off with a double and came home on a single by senior Tori Chiodo. Burkhardt sent a home run up the right field line to give the Boilers the 3-0 edge.
Purdue put a runner in scoring position in the second as Monchek posted a leadoff single and was sacrificed over to second, but the PSU defense held.
The Nittany Lions paired two hits and a fielder's choice for a score in the second. A fielder's choice play at second base erased a leadoff single, but a triple by Shelby Miller cut the Boiler lead to 3-1.
The Boilers took advantage of a leadoff walk, converting it into a run in the third. Chiodo earned the free pass and went to third on a double to deep center by Burkhardt. A grounder to second base gave freshman Katy McJunkin an RBI. A fly ball kept Burkhardt from scoring in the inning.
A double steal gave Penn State a run in the third inning. A fielder's choice and a single put runners at the corners with one out. The runner at first broke for second drawing a throw. The Boilers fired back home to stop the run from scoring, but the runner was ruled safe in a controversial call. PSU loaded the bases with a single and a walk, but a ground ball to first base kept the Nittany Lions from scoring more.
Monchek drew a leadoff walk in the fourth and Varsho followed with a double to set up senior Lindsey Rains, who laced a two-run single up the right field line. Chiodo walked and Fletcher singled to load the bases, but the Boilers couldn't add to the 6-2 lead.
Penn State answered back with two runs with help from a trio of errors in the bottom of the fourth. A pair of fielding errors put two on for the Nittany Lions with one out. Another error followed, but the Boilermakers got an out at the plate as PSU tried to score on the play. A double to left center plated two unearned runs.
The Boilermakers capped the scoring with seven runs on six hits in the fifth. A pair of singles by CJ Parsons and Monchek and sacrifice put two in scoring position for Varsho, who delivered with a 2-run double. Rains drew a walk and Varsho went to third on a wild pitch, prompting a PSU pitching change. The new pitcher, Von Pusch, walked Chiodo to fill the bases. Burkhardt drove in two runs with a single to right center. Fletcher cleared the bases with a towering home run over the scoreboard in left field. McJunkin walked prompting Laubach to reenter the game to pitch. Monchek welcomed her back with a double, but a strikeout left two in scoring position.
Whittemore came in to pitch the final stanza and promptly issued three strikeouts to cap the victory.