March 11, 2012
FRESNO, Calif. - The No. 2 California Bears (20-0) lived up to their ranking Sunday afternoon, issuing the Boilermakers a 9-1 loss.
The Bears scored nine runs on nine hits and three errors, while allowing Purdue just one run on five hits.
Jolene Henderson (12-0) picked up the complete game victory for Cal, while freshman Alex Whittemore (2-2) was saddled with the loss for Purdue. Senior Katie Hackney struck out two batters in four and a third innings of relief work.
Cal picked up three runs on three hits and an error in the second. Two singles and a walk filled the bases for Victoria Jones, who delivered with a two-run double through the left side. A fielding error later in the inning allowed the third score. Hackney took over in the circle with runners at first and third and sat down the Bears with a strikeout and fly out to escape the inning.
The Boilermakers loaded the bases in the third, but could not score. Sophomore Tori Chiodo walked, sophomore Lindsey Rains singled through the right side and sophomore Andie Varsho walked to fill the bases with two outs. A fielder's choice play at third base prevented the Boilermakers from converting on the scoring opportunity.
Purdue broke onto the scoreboard with a run on two hits and an error in the fourth. Junior Erika Petruzzi reached on a fielding miscue by the shortstop and went to second on an illegal pitch. A single up the left field line by junior Maia Monchek bumped her to third, from which she scored on an infield single by junior Ashley Courtney. A strikeout and caught stealing kept Purdue from adding more runs.
The Bears added two runs on a hit in the fourth. A walk, a hit batsman and a ground out set the table for a two-run single up the middle by Britt Vonk.
The Boilermakers put a runner on with singles in the fifth and sixth, but could not convert the hits into runs. Varsho picked up a two-out single in the fifth, but was stranded by a pop up. Senior Molly Garst led off the sixth with a single, then stole second and advanced to third on a ground ball. A pair of strikeouts kept her from coming home.
Cal ended the game in the bottom of the sixth with four runs on hits. Danielle Henderson led off with a home run. A pair of singles and a steal put runners at the corner with nobody out. The trail runner stole second, but the throw over to third was off the mark, allowing the runner from third to score on the play. Another single made it first and third again and again a miscue cost the Boilermakers. A throw down to hold the runner at third sailed into the outfield as the base was left unattended. A fly ball gave Purdue an out, but a single on the next play clinched the Bears the run-rule victory.
Purdue (12-6) returns to action at 6:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday when they are slated to take on the Butler Bulldogs in Fresno.