Feb. 18, 2012
Final Stats vs. Northern Colorado
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Boilermaker softball team started its 2012 season with a bang, recording a pair of mercy rule victories over Bryant and Northern Colorado. Purdue topped the Bryant Bulldogs 10-2 in the season opener and followed with a 10-1 win over the Northern Colorado Bears.
The Boilermakers piled up 18 hits in the contests, while three pitchers saw time in the circle.
Purdue 10, Bryant 2
The Boilermakers scored early and often against Bryant, racking up three runs in the first, one in the second and six more in the third to set up the mercy rule win. Purdue scored its 10 runs on six hits and three Bulldog miscues, while allowing two runs on five hits.
Sophomore Andie Varsho led the way offensively with two hits and two RBI, while senior Molly Garst added two RBI and two runs on a hit. Freshman Alex Whittemore (1-0) struck out two batters in three innings of work en route to the victory, while senior Katie Hackney struck out one in the final two innings.
Bryant turned a leadoff single into a run in the first thanks to a pair of illegal pitches and a ground out. Lauren Guy reached base and advanced around to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.
Purdue answered with three runs on two hits and an error in the bottom of the inning. Garst was hit by a pitch and scored the following play as Varsho singled and advanced to third on a two-base error by the centerfielder. Lindsey Rains walked and stole second to put two runners in scoring position for junior Erika Petruzzi, who picked up an RBI with a grounder to short. A double down the left field line by junior Maia Monchek made it 3-1. Monchek advanced to third but was left stranded.
The Boilermakers allowed a hit in the second, but cleaned off the bases with a double play.
A leadoff walk to junior Ashley Courtney proved costly for Bryant in the second. Courtney stole second before scoring on a single to right by Rains. Garst, who had walked, went to third on the play, but the Boilermakers couldn't bring her home.
A six-run, three-hit third inning put the game out of reach. A fielding error by the shortstop put sophomore Danielle Fletcher aboard to start the rally. Sophomore Lauren Grant followed with a single and Courtney walked to fill the basepaths. Chiodo walked to plate the first run. Garst added a single up the middle, plating pinch runner MaryBeth Pavlick and Courtney. An error by the center fielder allowed Garst to go to second on the play. Varsho singled through the right side to score two more runs. Varsho stole second before being joined by Rains and Petruzzi, who drew walks. Fletcher was hit by a pitch to bring in another run before inning's end.
The Bulldogs pushed a run across in the fifth, but it was too little too late. A single and two walks filled the bases, then a single to right plated the run, but the Boilermakers finished off the game with an 8-2 double play. Rains snagged the fly ball and gunned it into an awaiting Fletcher, who laid down the tag at the plate.
Purdue 10, Northern Colorado 1
The Boilermakers poured on the hits against Northern Colorado, as eight batters combined for 12 hits, and rookie Lexy Moore settled into the circle for the complete game win.
Junior Ashley Courtney went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Purdue bats, while sophomores Lindsey Rains and Tori Chiodo each added a pair of hits. The Boilermakers scored in four of the five innings.
Moore (1-0) struck out two and allowed just four hits in the five-inning victory. Four pitchers saw action for the Bears with Mikayla Duffy taking the loss after giving up four runs in 1.2 innings of work.
The Boilermakers combined a double by sophomore Andie Varsho and a single to right by Lindsey Rains for a run in the first.
Chiodo lifted a two-run home run in the second, scoring sophomore Lauren Grant who reached on a fielder's choice. Senior Molly Garst walked after the long ball and scored as Varsho reached on a fielding error later in the stanza.
The Bears paired up a double, a single and a passed ball for their lone run in the second.
Junior Erika Petruzzi sent a leadoff home run over the left center wall in the third. Grant double to left center midway through the inning, then went to third on a Courtney single up the middle, before scoring on a Chiodo infield single. A fly out wrapped up the stanza, stranding three runners.
Rains singled to start the fourth, stole second and went to third on a grounder before scoring on a single up the middle by freshman Gabi Brown. Sophomore Danielle Fletcher joined Brown with a walk, then scored as Courtney launched a three-run shot to dead center.
The Bears stranded two runners in the fourth and picked up fifth inning single, but couldn't convert.