April 10, 2011
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - No. 4 Michigan rapped out 10 runs on eight hits, while Purdue managed just two hits and stranded six base runners in a 10-0 loss on Sunday.
Freshman Lauren Grant and sophomore Ashley Courtney accounted for the Boilermaker hits.
Stephanie Speierman (16-0) picked up the win for Michigan, striking out three in three and a third innings, while Jordan Taylor finished the game for the Wolverines. Senior Suzie Rzegocki (20-9) was saddled with the loss for Purdue, while junior Katie Hackney threw the final two and two thirds innings and struck out two.
The Boilermakers put a runner in scoring position in the first but could not bring her home. Freshman Lindsey Rains reached on a fielding error by the third baseman, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch with two outs, but a strikeout prevented Purdue from posting a run.
Michigan scored two runs on two hits in the bottom of the inning. A one-out double scored a runner from first, while a single two batters later plated the second run.
Grant gave Purdue its first hit with a two-out single to the shortstop in the second, but a fielder's choice saw her out at second the following play.
A walk and a two-base throwing error set the table for a two-run double for the Wolverines, prompting Hackney to enter the circle in relief for Purdue. After recording a ground out, a Boilermaker fielding error allowed another run to score. A grounder to first base wrapped up the inning.
Courtney drew a leadoff walk in the third, but a double play and a caught foul ball kept Purdue from capitalizing on the free pass.
Alycia Ryan made it 6-0 UM with a solo home run in the third.
Rains received a leadoff free pass in the fourth and went to third on a ground ball and wild pitch. A pair of walks put pinch runner MaryBeth Pavlick and freshman Kim McMillan aboard to fill the bases, prompting a Michigan pitching change. Jordan Taylor took over in the circle and struck out the first two batters she faced to escape any damage.
The Wolverines tacked on four more runs in the fourth to go up 10-0, combining three singles for the first and adding three more on an Ashley Lane home run.
Courtney gave Purdue hope with a leadoff single to left in the fifth. A fielding error by the first baseman put junior Molly Garst on. A fielder's choice play, a runner caught stealing and a grounder to the pitcher forced the Boilermakers to strand Courtney at third as the game ended.
The Boilermakers (24-10-1, 2-2 Big Ten) return to action at 3 p.m. Wednesday when they take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in a home doubleheader.