April 7, 2012
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Boilermakers made a valiant comeback effort, but fell short in a 9-5 decision to Indiana in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader. Purdue posted three home runs in the contest, including a game-record tying two by junior Erika Petruzzi.
Indiana scored its nine runs on 10 hits and two errors, while Purdue managed five runs on eight hits. Petruzzi and freshman Ashley Burkhardt each tallied two hits for the Boilermakers, which left seven runners on base.
Reliever Lora Olson picked up her second win of the day for Indiana, moving to 11-10 with three and a third innings of relief work of Meaghan Murphy. Freshman Alex Whittemore (3-4) was saddled with the loss after giving up a run in the opening stanza. Senior Katie Hackney threw the remainder of the game for the Boilermakers.
The Hoosiers scored first with a run after three walks and a hit in the first inning. A bases loaded walk accounted for the score, and prompted a Purdue pitching change as Hackney took over in the circle.
The Boilermakers went up 2-1 on a two-run shot to left center by Petruzzi. The long ball plated sophomore Danielle Fletcher, who drew a leadoff walk and was sacrificed to second.
Indiana plated seven runs over the next two innings, four in the second and three in the third to go up 8-2. All four runs in the second were unearned as the first came on a fielding error with two outs. The next three scores came on a three-run home run two batters later. In the third, the Hoosiers plated three runs on three hits, including an RBI double and a two-run single.
Petruzzi added two more runs in the fourth with another two-run shot to left center. The homer, which tied the Purdue game record (2), brought in junior Ashley Courtney, who drew a two-out walk. Junior Maia Monchek followed with a two-out double and went to third on a single up the middle by Burkhardt. The hits prompted a Hoosier pitching change as Game 1 hurler Sara Olson took over in the circle. Olson walked sophomore Tori Chiodo to load the bases, but a pop up prevented Purdue from narrowing the 8-4 gap any further.
The Hoosiers got one run back as Amanda Wagner lifted a solo home run to start the bottom of the inning.
Purdue stranded a pair of runners in the fifth after singles by Fletcher and Courtney.
The Boilermakers got another run via the long ball as Burkhardt smashed a solo shot to center field in the sixth. Chiodo followed with a walk, but a fielder's choice and ground ball left a runner stranded.
Purdue gave itself a chance as sophomore Lindsey Rains had a leadoff single in the seventh, but two fly outs and a strikeout wrapped up the game.
The Boilermakers (23-12, 6-2 Big Ten) look to rebound in Game 3 of the series, which will be played at 1 p.m. Sunday.