April 7, 2011
VALPARIASO, Ind. - The Boilermakers spotted Valparaiso a 2-0 lead before mounting an eight-run comeback over the final two innings en route to an 8-2 win in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader.
Senior Suzie Rzegocki (20-7) struck out five in the complete game win, which gave her the third straight 20-win season of her Boilermaker career. Alex Lagesse (7-7) was charged with the loss for Valpo after giving up seven runs in six complete innings. Amanda Bolton threw the final stanza for the Crusaders.
Purdue put up its eight runs on nine hits and four Valparaiso errors, while allowing the Crusaders two runs on five hits and two errors. Eight different Boilermakers posted hits in the game, led by junior Molly Garst's two hit effort and senior Shelby Krammer's two-run shot in the seventh.
The Crusaders combined a pair of hits for a run in the second. Sara Strickland tallied the game's first hit with a leadoff single. A wild pitch put her at second, from which she scored on a Kelsey Phalen single to left center.
Purdue got its first base runner in the third as freshman Lauren Grant drew a one-out walk. A fielder's choice saw Grant out at second, but put freshman Tori Chiodo aboard. A deep fly ball left Chiodo stranded.
Valpo got a leadoff single in the fourth, but could not add to its lead.
Sophomore Erika Petruzzi drew a leadoff walk in the fifth and was sacrificed to second. A throwing error on a fielder's choice gave Purdue runners at the corners. A caught foul ball and a call for contacting the ball outside the batter's box ended the inning.
The Crusaders added a run on two hits in the fifth. A single and a walk set the table for an Angie Doerffler RBI single to left center. An error allowed Valpo to load the bases, but a liner to first base prevented further damage.
The Boilermakers finally broke through with three runs on three hits and two errors. Garst snapped the no-hit bid with a leadoff single in the sixth. Garst advanced to second on the play as the left fielder misplayed the ball. A fielder's choice and a stolen base put freshman Andie Varsho on second and Garst at third for freshman Lindsey Rains, who brought both home with a single down the right field line. Rains went to second on a misplay by the right fielder. A Petruzzi single to center field put Purdue on top 3-2.
Purdue extended its lead to 8-2 with five runs on six hits and an error in the seventh. Grant got the Boilermaker bats going with a leadoff double down the left field line. Pinch hitter Kim McMillan traded places with pinch runner MaryBeth Pavlick with an RBI double to right center. Garst added a single to left center, sending McMillan to third, before advancing to second on a fielding error by the left fielder. Varsho brought both home with a single up the middle, prompting a Valpo pitching change. After issuing a strikeout, the new pitcher, Bolton, couldn't stop the Purdue offense, instead giving up a two-run shot to Krammer. The long ball, which lasered down the left field line and stayed just inside the foul pole, was her sixth of the year. A walk put Petruzzi aboard and Rzegocki followed with a single through the left side. A strikeout and ground out brought the Crusaders to the plate one final time.
A fielding error allowed Valpo a leadoff base runner, but a fly out and liner into a double play wrapped up the Boilermaker victory.
Purdue looks to finish off the sweep in Game 2 which is slated for a 6:25 p.m. ET start.