March 10, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. - The No. 18 Oregon Ducks spoiled the start of the Purdue softball team's spring break stay in California, handing the Boilermakers a 9-1 loss.
Oregon managed its nine runs on 13 hits and three Boilermaker miscues. Purdue scored its one run on seven hits and an error, while stranding eight runners. Sophomore Lindsey Rains led the Purdue bats with a 2-for-3 effort.
Jessica Moore (11-3) picked up the complete-game victory for the Ducks (17-3). Freshman Alex Whittemore (2-1) struck out two batters in the loss for the Boilermakers. Freshman Lexy Moore also saw action in the circle for Purdue, striking out three batters in two and a third innings of relief work.
The Boilermakers put two runners on in the first, but could not break onto the scoreboard. Rains got things started by legging out a two-out single to the shortstop. Sophomore Danielle Fletcher bumped her over to third base by dropping a single into shallow right center field. A high fly ball to the warning track in center looked promising, but was reeled in by the Ducks' outfielder to end the inning.
Oregon picked up three runs on four hits in the bottom of the inning. With two on and two out after a fielder's choice and two singles, Kaylan Howard put the Ducks on the board with a triple to the center field fence. A single then brought Howard home, making it 3-0.
Purdue had a chance to cut into the lead, loading the bases with one out in the second, but couldn't push a run across. Junior Ashley Courtney drew a leadoff walk, stole second and went to third as junior Erika Petruzzi singled through the left side. Petruzzi stole second and sophomore Tori Chiodo filled the spot at first with a walk. A strikeout and a diving save on a fielder's choice play ended the rally.
Rains singled to start the third and moved to third on a steal and a wild pitch, but a fielder's choice play at the plate ended the threat. Another fielder's choice play, this time at second, put Monchek aboard, but a ground ball stranded her.
The Ducks tacked on two runs on two hits and two errors in the third. A pair of fielding errors and a ground out gave Oregon a runner at third with one out. A walk made it first and third. Back to back singles then brought in the runs.
Freshman Ashley Burkhardt doubled and scored to snap the shutout in the fourth. Burkhardt lasered a double up the right field line. She went to third on a wild pitch and scored on the same play as the catcher's throw to third sailed into left field. The Boilermakers put two more runners on as senior Molly Garst walked and sophomore Andie Varsho singled. Rains was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but after a lengthy discussion was sent back to the plate to continue her at-bat, which ended in a pop up.
Oregon got the run back and another in the bottom of the inning. A throwing error following a stolen base accounted for the first score. A pair of singles gave the Ducks runners at first and second. The lead runner stole third and the catcher's throw sailed into the outfield, allowing the trail runner to go to second. She then scored on a Howard double to left center.
A pair of runs on a trio of hits spelled the end of the game for Purdue. A leadoff walk and a sacrifice put a runner on for the Ducks. A pair of singles pushed her home. Another single, this one to shallow center field, ended the game at 9-1.
The Boilermakers look to rebound when they take on the host Fresno State Bulldogs at 6:15 p.m. ET.