Feb. 22, 2013
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Boilermaker softball team scored first against No. 10 Texas A&M, but could not hold off the Aggie bats in a 5-1 loss Friday evening to close out the first day at the Texas A&M Invitational.
The Aggies scored their five runs on five hits and two errors, while allowing Purdue a run on three hits. Sophomore Ashley Burkhardt went 2-for-3 to lead the Boilermaker bats, while junior Danielle Fletcher drove in the team's lone run.
Lauren Ainsley (5-0) struck out three in the complete game victory for Texas A&M, while freshman Lilly Fecho (2-3) struck out three for the Boilermakers.
The Boilermakers struck first, plating a run on a hit in the opening stanza. Junior Lindsey Rains was plunked in the elbow to start the game and took second on a ground out. Fletcher brought her home with a single to shallow left field. Rains scored from second with a great slide around the tag to put Purdue on the board.
The Aggies laced a sharp hit toward third base to start the bottom of the first. The base runner stole second and went to third as the throw sailed into center field. A sacrifice fly tied the ballgame.
Purdue threatened in the third, putting two runners in scoring position after a walk to Rains and an infield single to Burkhardt, but stranded them with a pair of ground outs.
Texas A&M took a 3-1 lead as Meagan May launched a two-run shot to center field in the bottom of the third. The one-out homer scored a runner that reached on a hit by pitch.
The Aggies tacked on two more runs in the fifth on two hits and a Boiler miscue. A pair of infield singles and a walk loaded the bases with one out. A sacrifice fly scored the first run. With runners at the corners, a throw to second on an attempted steal sailed high, allowing the second run to come in. A ground out capped the stanza without further damage.
Burkhardt led off the sixth with a single up the middle, but was out on a fielder's choice play at second. A double play brought the Aggies back to the plate.
After sitting Texas A&M down in order in the sixth, the Boilermakers followed suit with three ground outs in the seventh to cap the game.
Purdue (5-7) will get a second shot at the Aggies in a rematch at 4 p.m. ET Saturday. First, the Boilermakers will face off against Southeastern Louisiana at 1:15 p.m. ET.