March 14, 2011
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Boilermakers stranded nine baserunners and committed three defensive errors in a 4-3 loss to Florida Atlantic in Game 1 of Monday night's doubleheader. Purdue trailed 4-3 with bases loaded and one out in the seventh, but could not convert, instead grounding into a double play capping the loss.
Purdue managed three runs on six hits and five FAU errors, while allowing the Owls four runs on seven hits and three errors. Sophomore Ashley Courtney went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI to lead the Boilermaker bats.
Taylor Fawbush (6-6) earned the win for FAU, while senior Suzie Rzegocki (11-5) struck out four and did not allow an earned run in the loss for Purdue.
The Boilermakers put a runner in scoring position in the first, but could not manage a run. Garst was hit by a pitch to start the game and stole second, but was called out for leaving the base early on her way to third later in the inning.
Chiodo drew a two-out walk in the second, but a fly ball to the centerfield warning track left her stranded.
A controversial call at first base gave FAU a runner in the third. A single and a sacrifice put two Owls in scoring position, but a pair of grounders kept the scoreboard blank.
A walk and a catcher's interference call gave Purdue a pair of runners with two outs in the fourth, but a fielder's choice play at third prevented the team from scoring.
FAU stranded a runner at second in the fourth after a single and a sacrifice.
Purdue snapped the scoreless tie with a pair of runs on two hits and two errors in the fifth. Freshman Danielle Fletcher and Courtney started the inning with a pair of infield singles. A pair of botched fielder's choice attempts followed. The first, featuring a drop by the shortstop, put freshman Lindsey Rains on board, filling the basepaths. The next saw the shortstop overthrow second on a force play, allowing two runs to score. A rundown and a pop up capped the inning.
The Owls responded with four unearned runs in the bottom of the inning. A fielder's choice, a single and an error loaded the bases. A ground out scored the first run. A single and a throwing error by the left fielder allowed two more runs to score. Another single up the middle made it 4-2 FAU. A fly out finally ended the stanza.
The Boilermakers got one run back in the sixth. A fielder's choice put freshman Tori Chiodo on base and a wild pitch pushed her to second. A single to right by Courtney made it a one-run game. Purdue soon had runners at the corners as freshman Lindsey Rains singled and Courtney went to third on a throwing error by the second baseman. A ground out kept the Boilermakers from tying the score. Purdue looked prime to take control of the game in the seventh, but came up short. Freshman Andie Varsho led off with a double down the left field line. Freshman Kim McMillan followed with a single to centerfield, but was thrown out trying to advance to second on the play. A throwing error by the shortstop put senior Shelby Krammer aboard, then Petruzzi walked to fill the basepaths. The next batter hit a ground ball to third base, which the Owls turned into a double play, getting the outs at home and third to seal the win.
The Boilermakers (14-6) will look to even the series with a win in the night cap.