March 6, 2011
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Boilermakers put together timely hits and capitalized on Saluki miscues in an 11-1 run-rule win over Southern Illinois to wrap up their stay at the Coach B Classic.
Purdue scored its 11 runs on nine hits and four Saluki miscues, while allowing SIU a run on four hits and an error. Senior Shelby Krammer and freshman Tori Chiodo each contributed two hits to the tally.
Freshman Lauren Grant (2-0) struck out three in the complete-game victory. Alex Peters gave up seven runs in three innings for SIU. Brittney Lang and Danielle Glosson also saw time in the circle for the Salukis.
The Boilermakers wasted no time jumping on the scoreboard, putting up a run just two batters into the game. Junior Molly Garst reached on a fielding error by the shortstop and stole second. Freshman Andie Varsho laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt and the speedy Garst not only advanced to third, but scored on the play as she avoided a tag at the plate. Freshman Kim McMillan drew a two-out walk, but Purdue did not add to its advantage.
Junior Katie Hackney was hit by a pitch with one out in the second, but a double play nullified the free base.
Purdue went up 5-0 with a four-run, four hit effort in the third inning. Varsho landed a two-out double just inside the left field line and came home on as Krammer lifted a single into right center. A four-pitch walk put McMillan on base and pushed Krammer to second. Chiodo picked up an RBI with a double to left. Freshman Lindsey Rains kept the rally going with a single to shallow center field. McMillan and Chiodo motored home on the hit and Rains wound up at third on the throw to the plate. A strikeout finally ended the Boilermaker rally.
The Salukis got their first hit of the game on a one-out double in the home half of the third, but left the runner stranded.
The Boilermakers broke the game open with five runs on four hits and three errors in the fourth. Sophomore Ashley Courtney provided a single up the middle and went to third as senior Aimee Gingerich laid down a sacrifice bunt and saw the throw to first sail wide. Gingerich stole second and the throw to second wound up in the outfield, allowing Courtney to come home. Brittney Lang took over in the circle and promptly walked Garst. Krammer singled and went to second on the throw home as Gingerich scored. A McMillan single to right center brought Garst in to score. A Chiodo single to center filled the base paths. Pinch runner MaryBeth Pavlick and McMillan scored on a botched fielder's choice play at the plate as the first baseman's throw home sailed high. A walk gave loaded the bases again, but an SIU pitching change brought a strikeout and a fly out to end the Boilermaker threat.
Southern Illinois managed a two-out single and a double in the fourth, but stranded both in scoring position with a grounder to third.
Purdue tacked on a final run in the fifth inning, combining a walk, a steal and a hit. Garst walked and stole second, setting the table for pinch hitter Kristin Morgan, who delivered with a single up the middle. Morgan went to second on the throw home and advanced to third on a ground out, but was unable to score.
SIU busted the shutout with a run on a hit in the fifth. A walk gave the Salukis a one-out base runner. A two-out triple by Mallory Duran brought in the run. A strikeout, Grant's third of the game, clinched the Purdue victory.
The Boilermakers (11-4) return to action on Friday, when they take on Buffalo to open the Florida Atlantic Parents' Weekend tournament in Boca Raton, Fla.