March 15, 2012
FULLERTON, Calif. - The BYU Cougars handed the Boilermaker softball team a 14-1 loss on Thursday, taking advantage of Purdue miscues and timely hitting.
BYU scored its 14 runs on nine hits, one error and five illegal pitch calls. Purdue managed its one run on four hits. Sophomore Ashley Burkhardt tallied two of the Boilermakers' hits.
Tori Almond (3-2) struck out 10 in the win for the Cougars. Senior Katie Hackney (2-2) was saddled with the loss for Purdue after giving up five runs in the first inning and a third. Freshmen Alex Whittemore and Lexy Moore also saw time in the circle for the Boilermakers.
The Cougars put up four runs on four singles and a walk in the first. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Delaney Willard, who singled to left to score the first run. A ground out added the second. A two-run single up the middle by Stacie Toney made it 4-0.
The Boilermakers got one run back, taking advantage of a two-out walk to junior Maia Monchek. Burkhardt brought her in with a double to deep left field. Burkhardt stole third, but was left stranded by a strikeout.
BYU added another run, keying off a leadoff walk in the second. A sacrifice and a pair of illegal pitch calls allowed her to score. Whittemore took over in the circle and got two strikeouts to end the inning.
Purdue threatened in the third as sophomore Andie Varsho reached on a bunt single and advance to third with a steal and wild pitch. A strikeout kept the score at 5-1 BYU.
The Cougars scored seven runs on two hits and an error in the third. A single and double started the inning. A walk gave BYU another base runner. All three eventually scored on illegal pitch calls. A trio of walks filled the bases. A fly ball to left field popped out of the glove of the fielder and over the wall, scoring four more runs. A ground out finally ended the inning.
BYU capped the game with two more runs on an Anna Hudson home run in the fourth.
The Boilermakers put two runners on in the fifth as Burkhardt led off with single to left center and Varsho sophomore Lindsey Rains drew a one-out walk. A fly ball and a strikeout ended the game.
Purdue (14-8) returns to action at noon ET Friday when the team faces San Diego State in San Diego. The Boilermakers then play a 2 p.m. contest vs. UNLV.