Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Purdue
Softball Falls to Purdue, 2-1
4/21/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 21, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern softball team fell to Purdue by the slightest of margins, 2-1, Saturday at Anderson Field in Evanston. The `Cats (17-18, 6-7 Big Ten) tallied six hits to Purdue's (28-21-1, 5-10 Big Ten) four, yet came up short after a late surge.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, and down 2-1, NU nearly tied the game. Sophomore Jessie Wellnitz (Waterloo, Iowa/East) hit a single to right-center, and then freshman J.C. Kira (Honolulu, Hawaii/Saint Francis) -- who hit a double in the fifth inning -- hit another long double to center field. The ball looked like it might be headed out of the park, but got caught up in the wind and dropped just inside the fence. Wellnitz came all the way around from first and slid into home just as the Boilermaker leftfielder's throw reached home. The bang-bang play at the plate was called an out, despite vehement protest by the Wildcat coaches.
Purdue's Heidi Foster provided the Boilermakers with their runs in the first inning, homering with Katie Crabtree on second base. NU remained fairly quiet until the sixth inning, when freshman Carri Leto (El Cajon, Calif./Valhalla) singled to right field, stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. Sophomore Alyson Schulz (San Diego, Calif./Serra) then singled to center field to score Leto and bring the `Cats within one.
Purdue picked up three quick outs in the top of the seventh, setting the stage for the Wildcats' close call.
Sophomore Brie Brown (Nashville, Tenn./Harputh Hall) pitched a complete game, allowing four hits and striking out six. Kira went 2-for-3 with two doubles.
The `Cats are back in action on Sunday as they look for revenge against Purdue. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
