April 23, 2011
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball team salvaged a doubleheader split with Minnesota, taking the night cap 3-2 with the game-winner coming in the sixth inning. Sophomore Ashley Courtney drove in the run with a one-out double, moving Purdue to 28-13-1 on the year and 6-4 in the Big Ten.
Purdue scored its three runs on six hits and two Gopher miscues. Minnesota posted two runs on six hits and three Boilermaker errors, but stranded 11 runners. Freshman Andie Varsho went 2-for-3 to lead Purdue at the plate.
Senior Suzie Rzegocki (24-12) struck out just one in the winning effort, while Alissa Koch (3-8) managed eight Ks in the loss for Minnesota.
After forcing the Gophers to strand two runners in the first, Purdue jumped on the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Varsho reached on a bunt single and freshman Lindsey Rains followed with an infield single. Minnesota botched a fielder's choice play at second with a throwing error, allowing Varsho to score. The Boilermakers made UM pay for the miscue as an Erika Petruzzi double down the right field line plated Rains from second the next play. A pair of ground outs left runners at the corners.
Junior Molly Garst sent a two-out single in center field and stole second in the second inning, but the Boilermakers couldn't bring her home.
Minnesota tied the game with a pair of unearned runs in the third. A fielding error put Bree Blanchette on to start the inning, then a Malisa Barnes double scored her. A grounder to second base moved pinch runner Kelsey Klucas to third base. Another ground out, one which should have ended the inning, knotted the score. A walk and a single filled the basepaths, but a strikeout prevented further damage.
The Gophers put two on with an error and a hit by pitch in the fifth, but could not score.
The Boilermakers threatened in the fifth, but left the bases full. A fielding error by the pitcher put freshman Tori Chiodo aboard. Varsho added a single and freshman Kim McMillan drew a two-out walk, but a strikeout nullified the rally.
Minnesota returned the favor, leaving the bases juiced in the top of the sixth. A walk and two infield singles filled the bases with two outs, but a grounder to second base kept the game tied.
Senior Shelby Krammer earned a leadoff free pass in the home half of the sixth. Pinch runner Aimee Gingerich was sacrificed over to second setting up Courtney's game-winning heroics. Courtney bounced the double off the wall in left center plating the game winner, but the Boilermakers were unable to add any insurance runs due to a fly out and a line shot to third.
The Golden Gophers went down in order to seal the Purdue win.
The Boilermakers (28-12-1, 6-4 Big Ten) return to action at 3 p.m. Wednesday when they play host to the Northwestern Wildcats for a doubleheader.