April 3, 2011
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A three-run bomb in the first, combined with a seven strikeout pitching effort, was enough to give the Purdue softball team a 3-0 win on Sunday and a series sweep of Iowa.
The Boilermakers scored three runs on five hits, including a 3-for-3 performance by freshman Andie Varsho and the home run by senior Shelby Krammer.
Senior Suzie Rzegocki (18-7) issued the seven Ks and allowed just three hits in a complete game victory for Purdue. Kayla Massey (9-5) was charged with the loss for the Hawkeyes.
The Boilermakers hung three runs on the Hawkeyes with a three run shot by Krammer in the opening stanza. Krammer's towering long ball against the wind brought in freshman Andie Varsho and sophomore Erika Petruzzi, who had reached on a single and a walk.
Iowa put runners on base in the second and third, but could not break onto the scoreboard. A single, hit by pitch and sacrifice gave the Hawkeyes two runners in scoring position in the second, but a strikeout and ground out stranded them. A leadoff single in the third was nullified by a pick off. A hit by pitch later in the inning was thwarted by a liner to the first baseman.
Purdue managed a pair of singles in the third, but could not add to its lead. Junior Molly Garst led off with an infield single, but was caught stealing. Varsho followed with a single through the left side and stole second, but was left stranded by a pair of strikeouts.
After two quiet innings, Iowa managed a sixth-inning base runner on a fielding error, but a ground ball back to the pitcher brought Purdue to the plate.
Varsho added her third hit of the game with a leadoff triple to the left center gap. A fielder's choice play at the plate and a double play gave Iowa one final shot.
A one-out double and two-out walk kept hope alive for the Hawkeyes in the seventh, but a grounder back to Rzegocki capped the game.
The Boilermakers (21-8, 2-0 Big Ten) return to action at 3 p.m. Wednesday when they take on the IUPUI Jaguars in a doubleheader.