Feb. 13, 2010
TEMPE, Ariz. - A seventh-inning error bit the Boilermaker softball team once again on Saturday afternoon, as Purdue lost to Cal State Northridge 3-2. The Matadors scored all three unearned runs with two outs in the final stanza.
Sophomore Molly Garst singled and stole second in the opening stanza, but could not make it around to score.
Northridge had two runners in scoring position in the first, but the Purdue defense held and stranded both.
Freshman Kristen Allen drew a one-out walk in the second, but the Boilermakers could not provide any offensive support.
The Matadors put a runner on third in the bottom of the inning, but were unable to score.
The Boilermakers broke onto the scoreboard in the third, pairing two hits, a stolen base and a passed ball. Senior Ashley Barr led off the inning with a bunt single, then stole second before advancing to third on a single to center by sophomore Molly Garst. Garst wound up at second on the play as CSUN threw home to prevent a score. A passed ball on the next batter brought Barr home and moved Garst to third. A fielder's choice play at the plate and a grounder to third kept Purdue from adding to its advantage.
Northridge threatened in the fourth, loading the bases with two singles and a walk. Freshman Erika Petruzzi took over in the circle and worked out of the one-out jam by forcing a fielder's choice play at the plate and a liner to the shortstop.
Purdue tacked on another run on two hits in the fifth. Barr reached on a one-out bunt single and stole second. A sacrifice bunt sent her to third, from which she scored on a Garst double through the right side. A grounder wrapped up the stanza.
The bottom of the seventh inning was costly for the Boilermakers yet again as Northridge managed three unearned runs on three hits and error, snagging the game from Purdue. Things started out well enough as the defense pulled off a double play. A fielding error by the second baseman kept things going, however. A single to left center and a ground-rule double followed, making it a one-run game. A walk loaded the bases again. The Boilermakers swapped out pitchers to try to wrap things up, bringing Katie Hackney into the game. A walk and a hit by pitch made it 3-2 CSUN.
The Boilermakers look to wrap up the weekend with a victory when they face North Dakota State at 11 a.m. ET Sunday.