April 25, 1999
HAPPY VALLEY, Pa. - The Purdue softball team (29-21, 8-9 Big Ten) dropped the final game of a three-game series with Penn State (28-18, 9-7) on Sunday afternoon by a score of 8-2. The Nittany Lions also won both games on Saturday.
With six games remaining, Purdue is still in the race for the postseason Big Ten Tournament, but the challenge is a little tougher now. The Boilers dropped to seventh place after Sunday's Big Ten games, but trail Wisconsin (7-6) in sixth and Iowa (7-7) in fifth by only a few percentage points. The top five teams will receive bids to the tourney. Purdue will host the Hawkeyes for a three-game series next weekend.
The Nittany Lions took control early on Sunday, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first with two outs. Pitcher Tanis Ambelang singled home the first run and Allison Medellin followed with a two-run single to extend the lead to 3-0. Purdue's Kristin Billen scored in the top of the second to cut the deficit to 3-1, but Penn State added two more in the bottom of the third. The Boilers added one in the sixth, but the Nittany Lions retaliated with three more in the bottom of the inning to put the game away.
Ambelang (14-8) was the winning pitcher for the second time in as many days, tossing a three-hitter. Nicole Crouse (13-11) took the loss for Purdue, allowing four runs in two innings.
Purdue will now host Valparaiso for a non-conference doublheader at 2 p.m. on Tuesday before No. 23 Iowa comes to town for a three-game series on May 1-2.
R H E
Purdue 2 3 0
Penn State 8 13 3