May 5, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The Boilermaker softball team rallied late, but could not overcome a 5-0 deficit, falling to the Minnesota Golden Gophers 5-2 in Game 2 of the series on Saturday.
Minnesota managed its five runs on seven hits and an error, while allowing Purdue two runs on six hits. Six different Boilermakers managed hits in the game, but it was junior Erika Petruzzi who drove in the team's two runs.
Sara Moulton (24-13) picked up the complete-game victory for Minnesota. Freshman Lexy Moore (20-10) was saddled with the loss for Purdue after tossing two and a third innings. Senior Katie Hackney struck out three batters in three and two thirds innings of relief work.
The Boilermakers threatened in the second inning, putting runners at the corners after a walk and a single, but were unable to break onto the scoreboard. Junior Ashley Courtney drew the leadoff free pass and went to second on a ground out. Junior Maia Monchek bounced a single through the left side to push Courtney to third, but a fielder's choice play capped the inning.
A pair of home runs in the third inning put Minnesota on top 4-0. A Tyler Walker one-out solo shot scored the first run. A Kari Dorle three-run shot followed a dropped fly ball and a bunt single. Hackney entered the game to pitch and allowed a single before turning a double play on a line out to end the stanza.
Sophomore Danielle Fletcher posted a two-out single to the shortstop and Petruzzi was hit by a pitch in the fourth, but a high fly ball kept Purdue scoreless.
Senior Molly Garst reached on an infield single in the fifth, but was caught stealing to end the inning.
The Gophers pushed their lead to 5-0 on a Kaitlyn Richardson solo home run with two outs in the fifth.
Purdue got two runs back on a trio of hits in the sixth. Petruzzi came through with the clutch two-out hit. The single to left field drove in sophomores Andie Varsho and Lindsey Rains, who posted back-to-back singles to start the inning. Petruzzi advanced to second on the throw home and to third on a wild pitch, but was unable to score.
The Boilermakers look to salvage the final game of the series, which will be played at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.