May 7, 2011
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Fielding miscues proved to be the deciding factor in Purdue's 4-1 loss to Wisconsin Saturday afternoon. The Boilermakers committed four errors resulting in four unearned runs for the Badgers, nullifying a nine strikeout effort for senior pitcher Suzie Rzegocki.
Wisconsin managed its four runs on five hits and four errors, while allowing Purdue just one run on three hits.
Cassandra Darrah (15-9) struck out six in the winning effort for Wisconsin, while Rzegocki was saddled with the loss for Purdue despite striking out nine and holding the Badgers without an earned run.
The Badgers plated three unearned runs in the first inning after loading the bases on a pair of singles and a hit batsman. A two-out grounder to first base should have ended the inning without any damage, but the ball was misfielded, allowing a run. Two more runs scored as the throw home sailed to the backstop. The batter wound up at third on the play, but was left stranded by the third strikeout of the inning.
The Boilermakers got a leadoff baserunner in the bottom of the inning as junior Molly Garst walked. A sacrifice pushed Garst to second, but she was picked off to nullify the threat.
Wisconsin got a two-out single in the second, but stranded the runner. The Badgers put two on in the third with a fielder's choice and a single, but a double play capped the stanza.
Freshman Tori Chiodo gave Purdue its first hit with a two-out bunt single in the third, but the Boilermakers were unable to bring her around.
A bases loaded sacrifice fly in the fifth made it 4-0 Wisconsin. A pair of errors and a walk filled the basepaths, setting up Shannel Blackshear's sac fly. A looking strikeout and grounder to the pitcher prevented further damage.
The Badgers managed a two-out single and a steal in the sixth, but Rzegocki issued another strikeout to bring the Boilermakers to the plate.
Purdue broke onto the scoreboard with a run on two hits in the sixth. Freshman Lauren Grant got things started with a leadoff single up the middle. A fielder's choice play saw pinch runner MaryBeth Pavlick out at second, but put Garst aboard. Freshman Andie Varsho picked up the RBI with a double to the gap in left center. A pop up kept the Boilermakers from bringing Varsho home.
Both teams went down in order in the seventh to wrap up the game.
The Boilermakers (28-15-2, 6-6-1 Big Ten) and Badgers (28-22, 7-10 Big Ten) will face off again at 2 p.m. Sunday in a Senior Day contest. The three Purdue seniors will be recognized in a pre-game ceremony beginning at 1:45 p.m.