May 12, 2012
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The No. 22 Michigan Wolverines handed the Purdue softball team its first shutout of the season with an 8-0 loss in the regular season finale.
The Wolverines scored eight runs on nine hits, while holding Purdue to two hits. Sophomore Lindsey Rains and Andie Varsho accounted for the hits.
Haylie Wagner (29-5) struck out three in four innings of work en route to the victory. Hilary Payne threw the final inning for the Wolverines. Freshman Lexy Moore (20-12) took the loss for Purdue after allowing five runs. Katie Hackney threw the final three and a third for the Boilermakers, allowing three runs on five hits.
Michigan struck first with five runs in the bottom of the first. A double, two fielder's choice plays and a walk loaded the bases with two outs for Wagner, who lifted a grand slam. Amy Knapp added a solo shot to make it 5-0. Hackney came in and recorded a ground out to get out of the inning.
Sophomore Tori Chiodo was hit by a pitch in the third to give Purdue its first base runner, but a ground out left her stranded.
Rains led off the fourth with an infield single, but was caught away from first on a double play to end the inning.
Michigan tacked on three more runs in the fourth on an Amanda Chidester home run.
Varsho led off the fifth with a single. A strikeout and a pair of fielder's choice plays at second capped the game.
The Boilermakers (31-22, 13-10 Big Ten) must now wait until the 10 p.m. Sunday selection show to learn their postseason fate. The selection show airs live on ESPNU.