April 8, 2000

Box Score

STATE COLLEGE, Pa., --The Purdue bats were as frigid as the 30-degree temperatures in a 2-0 loss to Penn State on Saturday. The Boilers (23-20, 2-4 Big Ten) managed only three hits and struck out 13 times against Nittany Lion pitcher Jaci Kelp and were shutout for the seventh time this season. The 13 strikeouts tied a career high for Kelp, who notched her eighth shutout of the season and improved her record to 11-4.

"I am very disappointed in our offensive effort tonight," Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman said. "Our defense and pitching were very good in horrible conditions against one of the best hitting teams in the Big Ten, but 13 strikeouts will not get it done offensively."

Penn State took advantage of its speed and used timely hitting to manufacture both of its runs against the Boilers. In the third, Penn State started a two-out rally with a bunt single and stolen base from Gina Bianchini. Jennifer Tripken drove in Bianchini for the first run of the game on a single through the hole into left field.

The Nittany Lions added an insurance run in the sixth, again playing small ball to perfection. Tripken singled and was sacrificed to second by Erin Norton. The next batter, Allison Medillin singled to center to drive in the runner from second base for the game's final run.

Purdue's best scoring threat came in the top of the seventh inning. With one out, sophomore Katie Crabtree tripled to the wall in left to become the first Boiler to get past first in the game. After a Purdue strikeout for the second out, freshman Jessica Jones was hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners for sophomore Chrissy Davie. Davie lined a pitch hard, but directly at the thirdbaseman who made the play to end the threat and the game.

Sophomore Meagan Dooley took the loss for Purdue. She was charged with both Penn State runs but struck out three batters and allowed only four hits in five plus innings. Freshman Leighann Burke came in to relieve Dooley in the sixth, surrendering one hit and fanning one.

The Boilers look to even the two-game series with the Nittany Lions Sunday at 12 noon at Nittany Lion Field.