March 1, 2013
SAN MARCOS, Texas - The Boilermaker softball team kicked off its stay at the CenturyLink Classic with a 3-0 win over Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Friday afternoon. Purdue racked up its eight runs on eight hits, while sophomore Lexy Moore struck out six batters in the shutout.
Senior Erika Petruzzi, junior Andie Varsho and freshman Mary Gooding tallied two hits apiece for the Boilermakers.
Moore (2-4) allowed just three hits in the winning effort, while Ashley Elicerio (1-6) was saddled with the loss for the Islanders.
The Boilermakers put up their first run just three batters into the game. Sophomore Ashley Burkhardt drew a leadoff walk, stole second and went to third on a ground ball to the pitcher, setting up an Varsho single by Varsho. Varsho swiped second but was later caught trying to steal third. A walk put junior Danielle Fletcher aboard. Two-out singles by Petruzzi and senior Maia Monchek filled the bases, but a line drive to the pitcher prevented Purdue from adding to its lead.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi threatened to get the run back in the bottom of the inning, but failed to capitalize on a leadoff double, stranding the runner at third after a sacrifice, ground out and strikeout.
Purdue combined a hit, a walk and a hit by pitch for a score in the second. A fielder's choice gave the Boilers runners at the corners after junior Tori Chiodo walked and Gooding reached on a bunt single. A ground ball to the pitcher brought Chiodo in from third. A fly ball left a runner stranded at third.
A double play erased a pair of Boilermaker runners in the fourth after Chiodo and Gooding singled.
The Islanders put a runner in scoring position in the fourth after a single and stolen base, but a pair of ground outs kept them off the scoreboard.
The Boilermakers added an insurance run in fifth, combining a pair of hits, an error and a double steal. Varsho singled to the shortstop and advance to second as the throw to first careened into foul territory. Petruzzi singled, giving Purdue runners at the corners. A delayed double steal, drew the throw to second, allowing Varsho to come home.
Purdue (7-9) returns to action at 6:30 p.m. ET when the team faces off with the host Texas State Bobcats. Streaming video of the game will be available here, while a free audio broadcast can be accessed here.