CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Boilermakers wrapped up their spring break stay in Florida by splitting a doubleheader against Central Connecticut State on Tuesday. The Blue Devils took Game 1 2-1 in a pitcher's duel that saw 21 combined strikeouts, while the Boilermakers rallied for a 7-0 win in Game 2.
Junior Lilly Fecho struck out 10 batters in the Game 1 loss, while freshman Gina Snyder issued six Ks in the Game 2 victory.
At the plate, the Boilers managed 20 hits in the twin bill, including a 5-for-8 effort by senior Alyssa Koorsen, four hits by senior Ashley Burkhardt and three by junior Paris Andrew. Koorsen also stole two bases in the doubleheader.
Purdue (19-8) returns to action at 5 p.m. Friday, when they open the Boilermaker Softball Stadium by kicking off a three-game series against Big Ten foe Wisconsin.
.CCSU 2, Purdue 1
Fecho struck out 10 batters, while CCSU hurler Laura Messina issued 11 Ks in the game. A fifth-inning solo home run by Kat Malcolm was the difference in the game.
Purdue scored its run on nine hits and an error, including two-hit efforts by seniors Alyssa Koorsen and Ashley Burkhardt and juniors Katie Harrison and Mary Gooding. The Boilermakers stranded 10 runners in the game, including the bases loaded in first inning. Central Connecticut State scored its two runs on five hits and stranded six base runners.
The Blue Devils scored first, plating a run on two hits in the opening stanza, while leaving the bases full. A pair of singles and a fielder's choice filled the base paths. The lead runner slid under a tag at the plate on another fielder's choice play to account for the score. Fecho struck out the next two batters looking to end the inning.
The Boilermakers loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, but could not level the score. Koorsen singled and stole second. Burkhardt walked and Harrison singled to fill the basepaths, but Messina issued two Ks to get out of the jam.
Junior CJ Parsons managed a two-out single in the second, but was left aboard.
After CCSU wasted a pair of singles in the third, Purdue tied it up at 1-1 with an unearned run in the bottom of the stanza. Koorsen reached on a dropped fly ball in left and went to second on the play. A single up the middle by Burkhardt brought her in to score. Burkhardt went to second on the play before being joined on base by junior Paris Andrew, who was hit by a pitch. The pair pulled off a double steal, but a strikeout left them on in scoring position.
Gooding led off the fourth with a single and was sacrificed over to second, but the Boilers couldn't cash in.
Malcolm scored the game winner on a two-out homer to left in the fifth.
A double play erased a Harrison single in the fifth and a strikeout left Gooding on after a two-out single in the sixth.
The Boilermakers had the potential game winner on base in the seven, but could not bring her home. Koorsen singled and Burkhardt followed, but a fly out and strikeout ended the game.
Purdue 7, CCSU 0
The Boilermaker bats exploded for seven runs on 11 hits and three errors in the night cap. Senior Alyssa Koorsen and junior Paris Andrew had three hits apiece, while senior Ashley Burkhardt added two hits.
Freshman Gina Snyder (4-0) struck out six batters in a six-inning effort for the win, while senior Lexy Moore pitched a hitless inning to end the game. Emily Sargent was saddled with the loss for CCSU.
After failing to convert on hits by Koorsen and Andrew in the first and second innings, the Boilermakers jumped onto the scoreboard with a hit and an error in the third.; Koorsen reached on an error and stole second. A single up the middle by Burkhardt made it 1-0 Boilers.
Each team left a runner on in the fourth, but the Boilermakers broke the game open with a four-run, five-hit fifth. Sophomore Kristen Hoppman started the inning with a bunt single and was sacrificed to second. Koorsen pushed her to third with a single. A fielder's choice play gave Gooding an RBI, scoring Hoppman. A Burkhardt single plated Koorsen from third. Harrison grounded out but it was enough to drive in Gooding. Freshman Kaylah Hampton scored Burkhardt with a single to center field making it 5-0. Freshman Maya Hughes was hit by a pitch and Andrew singled to fill the bases, but a fly ball to center field ended the scoring.
CCSU threatened in the sixth, putting a runner at third with a hit by pitch, sacrifice and passed ball, but a ground out kept the shutout intact.
The Boilermakers scored two insurance runs on two hits and two errors all with two outs in the seventh. Freshman Stephanie Ramsey singled and went to second on a throwing error to start the rally. Hughes reached on a fielding error putting runners at the corners. Hughes stole second setting the table for Andrew's two run single to right field. Andrew went to third on a wild pitch, but was picked off to end the inning.
Moore took over in the circle for the bottom of the seventh and forced two ground outs and a fly out to seal the win.