April 12, 2012
MUNCIE, Ind. - Ball State prevented a seventh-inning comeback by the Boilermaker softball team in Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader, pulling off a double play with the game-tying run aboard in the final stanza. The Cardinals won the game 9-7.
Ball State scored its nine runs on 13 hits, while allowing Purdue seven runs on 12 hits and two errors. Junior Ashley Courtney posted three hits to lead the Boilermaker bats, while senior Molly Garst and sophomore Lindsey Rains each tacked on two hits.
Kim Mazzapica (14-3) struck out two in the winning effort, while Audrey Workman earned the save, recording the final three outs. Freshman Lexy Moore (16-5) was saddled with the loss, despite striking out two Cardinals in four and two thirds innings. Senior Katie Hackney finished the game, issuing one strike out in an inning and a third.
The Boilermakers broke onto the scoreboard in second inning, combining a pair of hits for the score. Courtney sent a one-out double into shallow right field and came home the next play as junior Erika Petruzzi singled up the middle. Petruzzi went to third on a single by junior Maia Monchek and a fielder's choice play, but Purdue couldn't bring her home.
Purdue went up 4-0 on a three-run shot by Courtney in the third. The home run up the right field line plated Garst, who singled to start the inning, and sophomore Andie Varsho, who reached on an error.
Ball State cut the margin in half with a two-run homer of its own in the bottom of the third. Amanda Montalto supplied the long ball following a one-out single.
The Cardinals took the lead at 6-4 with four runs on four hits in the fourth. A single with runners at second and third plated the first run. A Jennifer Gilbert three-run home run put Ball State on top.
The Boilermakers answered with a two-run home run in the fifth to knot the score at 6-6. The long ball to left off the bat of sophomore Danielle Fletcher, also brought home Varsho, who tallied a one-out single.
Ball State combined four hits, including a trio of doubles, for three runs in the fifth. A one-out single and a steal set up the first score, which came on the first of three doubles. A pinch hit double brought in the second score. Gilbert doubled up the right field line to make it 9-6.
The Boilermakers scored one run and had the potential tying run aboard in the seventh, but could not complete the comeback effort. Garst singled to left to start the inning. Rains laid down a bunt single and went to second as the third baseman's throw sailed into right field. The miscue allowed Garst to come all the way home to make it 9-7. Varsho was hit by a pitch to put two on with nobody out. BSU switched pitchers and forced a fly out and made a great defensive play on a double play to cap the game.
Purdue (24-13, 7-2 Big Ten) looks to split the doubleheader with a win in Game 2.