March 11, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. - The Boilermaker softball team pushed two runs across in the sixth inning to support freshman Lexy Moore's seven strikeout effort in a 2-1 win over San Diego State Sunday morning.
Purdue scored its two runs on five hits and one Aztec miscue. Sophomore Lindsey Rains led the Boilermaker bats with two hits, while sophomore Danielle Fletcher claimed the game-winner with a solo home run.
Moore rung up seven batters in the complete game victory, which moved her to 8-2 on the year. Rebecca Arbino was saddled with the loss, despite striking out four and not allowing an earned run.
The Aztecs got a pair of two-out singles in the first, but stranded the runners with a grounder to third base.
A leadoff single through the right side by Rains was nullified by a double play and ground out in the bottom of the inning.
San Diego State scored first, combining three hits for a score in the third. A double and a bunt single put runners at the corners for Justeen Maeva, who picked up the RBI with a single up the middle. A walk filled the bases, but a fielder's choice play at the play and a grounder to short got Purdue out of the jam without further damage.
The Boilermakers threatened in the third, putting runners at second and third with two outs after a pair of singles, a fielder's choice and a sacrifice. A strikeout, however, stranded the runners. Junior Ashley Courtney led off with a single through the right side, but was out at second as sophomore Lauren Grant reached on a fielder's choice. A sacrifice and a single through the right side by Rains pushed Grant to third. A throwing error by the right fielder allowed Rains to move to second.
The Aztecs stranded a runner at third base after a single, grounder and steal in the fifth.
Purdue tied the game on an inside-the-park home run and took the lead on a solo home run by Fletcher in the sixth. Sophomore Tori Chiodo lifted a fly ball into center field, which ricocheted off the glove of the right fielder and rolled all the way to the fence as Chiodo rounded the bases. Fletcher then lifted the two-out long ball to dead center field to give Purdue the 2-1 advantage.
San Diego State managed a two-out single in the final stanza, but a ground ball to second base clinched the Purdue win.
The Boilermakers (12-5) return to action at 3:45 p.m. ET when they take on No. 2 Cal.