Feb. 26, 2011
WOODSTOCK, Ga. - The Boilermaker softball team capped Day 1 of its stay at the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Tournament with an 8-0 run-rule win over Tennessee State. The mercy rule win is Purdue's third in its last four games.
The Boilermakers put up eight runs on 12 hits by eight different batters, while TSU managed two hits and committed two errors. Freshman Kim McMillan went 3-for-3, while senior Shelby Krammer and sophomore Erika Petruzzi added two hits apiece.
Senior Suzie Rzegocki (6-2) allowed just two hits and struck out four in the complete-game shutout. The shutout was the 23rd of Rzegocki's career, tying her for the top spot on the Purdue career list with Leighann Burke (2000-2003) and Brooke Baker (2004-2007). Kelly Troglin (2-2) allowed eight runs and struck out only one in 4.1 innings of work for Tennessee State.
TSU had its best scoring opportunity in the first, but could not convert. Aisha Walker led off the game with a single and advanced to third on a pair of ground outs. A pop up to the shortstop ended the scoring threat.
The Boilermakers put up two runs on four hits in the first. Freshmen Lindsey Rains and Kim McMillan, Krammer and Petruzzi each accounted for a single in the stanza. Rains singled, stole second and was waiting on third as McMillan singled through the left side. Krammer singled down the right field line to push McMillan to third. Petruzzi came through with a single up the middle to make it 2-0.
McMillan sent a two-out single through the left side in the third. A pair of wild pitches put her at third, but a pop up left her stranded.
Rzegocki sent a two-out single up the middle in the fourth and went to second on a fielding error by the center fielder, but a grounder to the shortstop kept Purdue from adding to its lead.
Tedra Alford gave TSUa leadoff single to right center in the fifth. A sacrifice moved her to second and a walk gave her company on base. A liner to the shortstop stranded both.
Purdue capped the mercy rule win with six runs on six hits in the fifth. Junior Molly Garst got things started with a leadoff home run to center field. Freshman Andie Varsho reached as the first baseman dropped the ball on the back end of a potential ground out. A grounder to third base and a passed ball moved her to third. A McMillan double to left center brought Varsho home. Krammer doubled down the left field line to plate McMillan. A Petruzzi single to center bumped Krammer to third. Ashley Courtney pinch ran for Krammer and scored the following play as freshman Danielle Fletcher doubled to right center. Caitlin Eaton took over in the circle and promptly threw a wild pitch, scoring Petruzzi from third and bumping Fletcher over to the base. Freshman Tori Chiodo drove in the final run, legging out a single to second base.
The Boilermakers return to action at 10:30 a.m. Sunday when they take on Mississippi State.