April 21, 2013
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball team held on for a 6-5 win over No. 21 Nebraska on Sunday, marking the team's first win over a ranked opponent in 14 tries in 2013 and first since March 20, 2010.
Nebraska scored first, but the Boilermakers put up five runs in the bottom of the first inning and added an insurance run in the second en route to the win. Purdue scored its six runs on 10 hits and an error, while the Huskers managed five runs on seven hits. Sophomore Ashley Burkhardt, junior Danielle Fletcher and senior Maia Monchek tallied two hits apiece to lead the Boilermaker bats.
Sophomore Lexy Moore (9-10) picked up the win, striking out two in four and a third innings, while freshman Lilly Fecho earned the save, striking out two and allowing just three hits in the final two and two thirds innings. Tatum Edwards (21-7) was saddled with the loss for Nebraska.
Nebraska loaded the bases in the first inning care of two walks and a single, but managed just one run on a sacrifice fly.
The Boilermakers batted through the order in the bottom of the first, racking up five runs on six hits and an error. Junior Lindsey Rains led off with a single, but was caught stealing before the rally began. Burkhardt singled and junior Andie Varsho walked to set the table for Fletcher, who brought both in lacing a single to center field and advancing to third on a fielding miscue by the centerfielder. Junior Tori Chiodo joined Fletcher on base with a walk. Freshman Paris Andrew brought Fletcher home with an RBI single. Chiodo came home on a double by Monchek. Senior Ashley Courtney kept the rally going, scoring Andrew with a single to right field. A pair of ground outs finally capped the inning with Purdue leading 5-1.
The Huskers got three runs back in the second inning on a trio of hits. Two singles and a hit batsman loaded the bases with two outs. The Boilers hit another batter, scoring a run. An RBI single brought two more runners in, but Purdue centerfielder Lindsey Rains gunned down the third baserunner at the plate to end the stanza.
Purdue scored the eventual game-winner in the second inning. Burkhardt sent a leadoff single into right center and was sacrificed over to second to set up an RBI single by Chiodo.
The Boilermakers threatened in the fourth, loading the bases, but could not add to their 6-4 advantage. A fielder's choice, a Fletcher single and a Chiodo walk filled the basepaths, but another fielder's choice play kept the score intact.
Nebraska failed to cash in on a pair of runners in scoring position in the fifth. A pair of walks from Moore brought Fecho into the game. A passed ball then moved the runners to second and third, but a ground ball to the shortstop and strikeout prevented any damage.
Monchek led off the fifth with a single and pinch runner Gabi Brown stole second, but a fielder's choice and two strikeouts nullified the hit.
The Huskers cut the margin to one with a sacrifice fly in the fifth. A double and a single put runners at the corners to set up the sacrifice, which made it 6-5.
Nebraska put two aboard in the seventh with a two-out walk and a single, but Chiodo reeled in a foul ball near third base to cap the game.
The Boilermakers (21-25, 8-9 Big Ten) return to action at 4 p.m. Wednesday when they take on Valparaiso.