April 15, 2012
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball team capitalized on Buckeye miscues and posted timely hits in an 8-3 win over Ohio State to secure the doubleheader sweep on Sunday.
Purdue scored its eight runs on 10 hits and five OSU errors, while allowing the Buckeyes just three runs on six hits and an error. Junior Maia Monchek led the Boilermaker bats with a 3-for-4 effort and three RBI, while sophomore Lindsey Rains tacked on two hits and two runs.
Freshman Lexy Moore (18-5) picked up her second win of the day, striking out four Buckeyes in the complete-game effort. Melanie Nichols (8-6) was saddled with the loss for Ohio State after giving up six runs, only two earned, in three and a third innings of work. Mikayla Endicott and Olivia O'Reilly also saw time in the circle for OSU.
Ohio State scored first with two runs on two hits and an error in the second inning. A double and a sacrifice punt a runner on third. A fielder's choice play at the plate went the Buckeyes' way to account for the first score. With a runner at second and two outs, a single and a throwing error brought the second run in. A strikeout ended the inning.
The Boilermakers got both runs back with three hits in the bottom of the inning. Junior Ashley Courtney drew a leadoff walk and went to second on a ground ball, before coming home on a Monchek double to left. Freshman Ashley Burkhardt singled to put runners at the corner for sophomore Tori Chiodo, who plated Monchek with a single to second base. A strikeout and ground out prevented Purdue from taking the lead.
Purdue tacked on another run on two hits and two OSU miscues in the third, but could have scored more, leaving three runners stranded. Courtney hit a two-out single then went to second as junior Erika Petruzzi reached on a throwing error. A Monchek single filled the basepaths. Another fielding error by the shortstop allowed Courtney to come home. A strikeout prevented further damage.
The Boilermakers added three runs on a hit and three more Buckeye errors in the fourth, putting the game out of reach. Sophomore Lindsey Rains reached on an error and stole second, before moving to third as sophomore Andie Varsho came aboard on another miscue. Varsho stole second and the catcher's throw sailed into center field, allowing Rains to score. Sophomore Danielle Fletcher walked, prompting an OSU pitching change as Endicott took over. Courtney fought through a 13-pitch at-bat for a walk to load the bases. Monchek came through with a two-out single to centerfield, scoring two runs. Monchek went to second on the throw home, putting two in scoring position, but a strikeout ended the rally.
Ohio State cut the margin to 6-3 with a run on a pair of hits in the fifth. The Buckeyes got two singles to start the inning, and had runners at first and second after a play at third base. The next batter was hit by a pitch to fill the bases. An unsuccessful fielder's choice play allowed the score, but the Boilermakers made good on their next fielder's choice chance to strand three Buckeyes.
Purdue tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the fifth with aid from three hits. Chiodo walked to start the inning and scored on a double to left by senior Molly Garst. Rains reached on a bunt single, pushing Garst to third. Rains then swiped second, but Garst was called for interference on the throw home for the inning's first out. Rains advanced to third on the play, from which she scored as Varsho singled up the middle. OSU switched pitcher's again, putting O'Reilly in the circle, and forced a pop up and a grounder to third base to escape further damage.
Both teams went down in order in the sixth, putting OSU against the wall in the seventh. With two outs, Alicia Herron singled through the left side to keep hope alive, but Moore struck out the next batter for her fourth K of the game to clinch the Purdue victory.
The Boilermakers (27-13, 9-2 Big Ten) return to action on Saturday, April 21, when they take on Illinois in a 2 p.m. doubleheader in Champaign, Ill.,