March 16, 2012
SAN DIEGO, Calif. - UNLV prevented the Purdue softball team from sweeping back-to-back games to start the SD Classic II tournament, topping the Boilermakers 6-2 in the second game of the day.
The Rebels scored six runs on seven hits and two errors, while the Boilermakers managed their two runs on nine hits and an error. Purdue left eight runners on base, including four in scoring position. Eight different players tallied a hit, while junior Erika Petruzzi led the Boilermaker bats with two hits.
Amanda Oliveto (9-7) struck out three in the win for UNLV. Freshman Alex Whittemore (2-3) struck out three in the loss for Purdue. Petruzzi pitched the final two innings of relief.
UNLV took advantage of a Boilermaker fielding error with two outs in the first inning, scoring after the miscue gave the team new life. The Rebels had a runner on second after a leadoff single and a steal. The miscue pushed the runner to third. A Korin Cuico single up the middle then plated the run. A strikeout capped the stanza without further damage.
The Boilermakers got base runners in the third, but could not bring them in to score. Petruzzi singled up the middle to start the stanza, but was caught stealing. Junior Maia Monchek reached on an error the first baseman and was joined by sophomore Tori Chiodo, who was hit by a pitch. A pair of fielder's choice plays, one at third and the other at second ended the scoring threat.
The Rebels made it 3-0 with a pair of runs on a hit in the fourth. An RBI double down the right field line by Heather Harrison made Purdue pay for a leadoff walk. A sacrifice moved Harrison to third from which she then scored on a wild pitch.
Purdue stranded two base runners in the fifth, wasting a pair of two-out singles by Monchek and Chiodo. UNLV returned the favor, stranding runners at the corners in the bottom of the inning.
The Boilermakers finally broke onto the scoreboard in the sixth, plating two runs on three hits. Sophomore Andie Varsho drew a one-out walk and came in to score on a double to left center by sophomore Danielle Fletcher. Pinch runner Gabi Brown came home as freshman Ashley Burkhardt sent a single up the middle. Petruzzi followed with a single, but a ground ball to second base prevented Purdue from adding a third run.
UNLV answered with a three-run sixth inning to pull away. Pinch hitter Christina Montoya drew a two-out walk and scored on a Paige Emerson double to right center. The Rebels added the last two runs on a Jaexie Balilea home run to center field.
The Boilermakers kept hope alive with a pair of seventh-inning singles, an infield tap by sophomore Lindsey Rains and a bunt by senior Molly Garst, but a strikeout and a diving snag by the shortstop prevented a late rally.
Purdue (15-9) returns to action at 2:30 p.m. ET Saturday when the team faces off with Long Beach State. The Boilermakers also are slated for a 5 p.m. contest with Cal State Bakersfield. Rain is forecast for the area, so schedules may change.