Game #1 Box Score I Game #2 Box Score
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The IUPUI softball team managed just two bunt singles as Purdue's pitching staff paved the way to a 2-0, 6-0 doubleheader sweep over the Jaguars at the Varsity Softball Complex on Wednesday.
In game one, IUPUI managed just one hit, but had multiple opportunities to plate runs against Purdue starter Suzie Rzegocki. In the top of the fifth, both Alicia Hayes and Laura Wilcox reached on defensive errors and moved into scoring position when junior Amy Raker laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt for the first out. However, Rzegocki got Chelsie Hale to pop out to short and Sydney Miller rolled into a fielder's choice to end the threat.
Rzegocki took a no-hitter two outs deep into the sixth inning until Kelsey Rupert dropped a bunt single down the third base line for the Jaguars' lone scratch. Sophomore Leah Prewitt was plunked one pitch later and both baserunners moved up on a Rzegocki wild pitch. However, the Purdue junior kept the shutout intact by striking out Hayes looking.
Purdue scored the game-winner in the third inning when Molly Garst singled home Liane Horiuchi, who had led off with a walk, stolen second and moved to third on a throwing error.
Rzegocki struck out seven in the complete game victory while sophomore Samantha Bumbaugh (0-9) was the Jaguars' tough luck loser. The Bloomington, Ind.-native struck out six batters in six innings and scattered six hits in defeat. Only one of the two runs she allowed was credited as earned.
Rupert was 1-for-3 with a stolen base while Garst and Maia Monchek had two hits each for the Boilermakers in the opener.
Game two was much of the same for the hosts as Rzegocki (10-13) tossed four scoreless innings and the Purdue (14-18) offense built an early 3-0 lead against IUPUI rookie Nicole Natter.
Rzegocki handed the ball over to Erika Petruzzi, who held IUPUI without a hit until the top of the sixth. In that inning, senior Mia Ettl led off with a bunt hit and wheeled around to third on a throwing error on Rupert's ground ball to first. However, Petruzzi staved off the rally by getting a pair of ground outs sandwiched around a fly out to shallow right to keep IUPUI (6-22) off the scoreboard.
Horiuchi and Aimee Gingerich both went 2-for-3 for the Boilers and Kristen Allen scored a pair of runs.
Rzegocki struck out three in four innings in the win and Petruzzi was credited with her first save of the season by tossing three scoreless frames. Natter (2-7) struck out four and yielded all six runs (four earned) in defeat.
IUPUI will return to action this weekend when it treks to Rochester, Mich. to take on Summit League foe Oakland University in a three-game series.
