Feb. 27, 2011
WOODSTOCK, Ga. - Senior Suzie Rzegocki struck out eight en route to taking sole possession of the Purdue shutouts record, and the Boilermaker offense provided a late-inning rally to seal the 5-0 win over Mississippi State on Sunday.
Rzegocki moved to 7-2 on the season with the complete-game victory, while Kylie Vry (2-6) was saddled with the loss for MSU. Misty Flesher and Lindsey Dunlap also saw time in the circle for the Bulldogs.
Seven different players contributed offensively for Purdue as the team racked up its five runs on seven hits. Senior Shelby Krammer provided a two-run home run to get the scoring started.
MSU managed a pair of hits in the first, but left both runners stranded in scoring position.
The Boilermakers got their first hit in the fourth as freshman Lindsey Rains lifted a two-out single into left center. A fly ball to deep left field, however, kept her from advancing further.
After recording 13 straight outs, Rzegocki allowed a two-out single in the fifth, but forced a grounder the following play to keep the scoreboard clean.
Purdue took advantage of a leadoff walk in the sixth to snap the shutout. Rzegocki drew the free pass and went to second on a ground out before coming home on a two-out double to left center by freshman Andie Varsho. A strikeout kept the Boilermakers from adding to the 1-0 lead.
The Boilermakers put the game out of reach with four runs on five hits in the seventh. Krammer made it 3-0 by bouncing a two-run shot off the light pole in left field. The round tripper drove in freshman Kim McMillan, who reached on single to right to start the inning, and forced an MSU pitching change. A single and an error put sophomore Erika Petruzzi and freshman Danielle Fletcher aboard, then a wild pitch moved the duo into scoring position. Rzegocki picked up an RBI with a grounder to second base. Freshman Tori Chiodo brought Fletcher home with a single through the left side. Chiodo stole second and third and was joined on base by junior Molly Garst, who walked and promptly stole second. Dunlap entered the game and forced a fly out and a ground out to keep the score at 5-0 and get out of the inning.
The Bulldogs kept hope alive with a one-out single up the middle in the final stanza. A two-out infield single kept the game going, but a grounder to third base prevented a comeback bid.
Purdue (8-3) returns to action at 1 p.m. when the team faces off with Mercer to wrap up its stay at the Phyllis Rafter Memorial Classic.