April 7, 2013
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - An unearned run in the second inning was the difference in the game as Michigan State edged the Purdue softball team 1-0 on Sunday to take the weekend series. Both teams managed three hits and committed one error, but the Boilermakers stranded six runners, including the bases loaded once, in the loss.
Junior Tori Chiodo accounted for two of Purdue's three hits, including a two-out triple in the second inning.
Kelly Smith (16-7) struck out seven batters in the win for MSU, while freshman Lilly Fecho fanned three in the loss.
Jayme O'Bryant tallied the game's first hit with a leadoff double in the second. The next batter laid down a sacrifice bunt, but the Boilermakers' throw to first sailed into right field, allowing O'Bryant to scurry home on the miscue. Purdue recovered to throw the batter out at second base after the error, but did not have a play on O'Bryant.
Chiodo gave Purdue its first hit, knocking a two-out triple off the top of the wall in right center, in the bottom of the inning, but a ground out kept the Boilers off the scoreboard.
Sophomore Ashley Burkhardt reached on a two-out bunt single in the third, but was called out for leaving early on a steal attempt to end the stanza.
The teams combined for nine straight outs, before the Boilermakers headed back to the plate in the fifth. Chiodo got things started in the inning with a one-out single and then stole second. Seniors Erika Petruzzi and Ashley Courtney drew walks to fill the basepaths, but O'Bryant, MSU's centerfielder made a diving snag to end the rally.
Junior Andie Varsho received a one-out walk and advanced to second in the sixth inning, but a strikeout prevented Purdue from capitalizing on the scoring chance.
Michigan State wasted a leadoff single in the seventh as Courtney turned a double play to bring Purdue to the plate one final time.
Chiodo reached base on an error by the second baseman and was sacrificed over to second, but a pop up to the shortstop and a fly ball to left wrapped up the game.
The Boilermakers (15-22, 3-6 Big Ten) return to action at 5 p.m. ET Tuesday when they head to Chicago to face off with Loyola. The team will then take on Ball State in a 3 p.m. Wednesday doubleheader in what has been designated Service Day, an event to show support for the local police and fire departments.