Purdue University Softball: A Tradition of Excellence
Introduction
In a relatively short period, Purdue University's softball program has evolved from a fledgling Division I team to a nationally recognized contender. This article explores the program's history, highlighting key milestones, achievements, and the individuals who have shaped its success.
Early Years and the Bruggeman Era (1993-2005)
January 1993 marked a pivotal moment with the hiring of Carol Bruggeman as the program's first head coach. Bruggeman's 12-year tenure laid the foundation for Purdue softball, guiding it from its inception through the 2005 season. In its inaugural season, Purdue fielded a team of 16 players from four states and achieved a 21-17-1 record. This was a historic achievement, marking the most victories for a first-year program in Big Ten softball history. Jenny Blasnick, a second baseman, earned second team All-Mideast Region honors with a .362 average, 26 RBI, 21 runs, and 15 extra-base hits.
The team played its first game on March 5, 1994, at the Hampton Inn-Lady Pirate Invitational in Greenville, N.C., losing to Canisius 10-2. Susan Denny hit the team's first home run against Northern Illinois on March 26, 1994. Jenny Schoen, an outfielder, was named first team All-Mideast Region after posting a .353 average, 39 runs, 27 RBI, 22 stolen bases, and 22 extra-base hits. Denny and Schoen also earned second team All-Big Ten honors.
In 1995, Purdue recorded a 36-21 record, including a 12-11 mark in Big Ten play, securing sixth place. Pitcher Jenn Markert earned first team All-Big Ten honors, while second baseman Sam Mercier and outfielder Mandy Smart garnered second team honors. On March 15, 1996, Purdue achieved its first win against a ranked opponent, defeating No. 11 Nebraska 4-2 at the National Invitational Softball Tournament in San Jose, Calif. The team followed this with a win over No. 21 Pacific 3-2. The Boilermakers achieved a program-best 41-25 record, including a 14-12 record in Big Ten play, earning a spot in the Big Ten Tournament. Kristie Boland, Jenn Blasnick, and Jenny Schoen earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors in consecutive weeks.
In 1997, Purdue defeated No. 8 Washington 6-5. Sheryl Scheve, Denise Szany, and Sam Mercier earned second team All-Big Ten honors, with Scheve leading the league in innings pitched (253) and appearances (47). In 1998, Purdue recorded a 30-26 mark. Katie Crabtree was named first team All-Mideast Region, and Sam Mercier earned second team accolades. Mercier set a record for career at-bats with 769. On March 4, 1999, Purdue defeated No. 7 Texas 6-5 at the Speedline Invitational in Tampa, Fla. Meagan Dooley tossed two no-hitters: a 1-0 victory over Temple on Feb. 19 and a 3-0 win over Iowa State on Feb. 26.
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The 2000s: Milestones and Recognition
On April 29, 2000, the Boilermakers battled Minnesota for 16 innings, winning 4-3, the longest game in Purdue history. Lynne Tortorelli earned GTE/Verizon third team Academic All-America honors, and Andrea Roush was named Big Ten Player of the Week on April 30. Purdue recorded a 33-26 record, including a school-record 10-game win streak. Angi Roembke and Heidi Foster garnered second team All-Mideast Region accolades.
In 2001, Andrea Hillsey became the program's first All-America honoree, earning first team honors as the nation's best second baseman. The team ranked among the Top 25 nationally in batting average (10th, .302), scoring (19th, 4.90 runs per game), slugging percentage (20th, .443), fielding percentage (21st, .970), and stolen bases per game (23rd, 1.56). The Boilermakers broke 12 single-season team standards, and individual players shattered nine career and nine single-season records. Foster set career marks for home runs (32), RBI (147), and putouts (2,047). Roush set the sacrifice hits mark with 56, and Roembke became the stolen base record holder with 76.
In 2002, DaQueta Johnson earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors on Feb. 11. Tricia Lilley earned first team Academic All-District V accolades. In 2005, Purdue recorded its first win over a Top 25 team since 2001, defeating No. 24 Iowa 2-1 on April 9. Andrea Hillsey earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors twice, and Diana LaRiva earned Big Ten Pitcher of the Week accolades three times.
Continued Success and Record-Breaking Performances (2006-2009)
In 2006, Purdue posted a 30-30 record. Diana LaRiva garnered Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honors on Feb. 14, and Tiffany Krcelich was named Big Ten Player of the Week on Feb. 21. Brooke Baker set a career record for complete games with 56, while Diana LaRiva wrapped up her career with a strikeouts mark of 620. On April 4, 2006, three pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter against Ball State. On April 9, 2006, Purdue topped No. 12 Michigan 5-4, marking Purdue's first win over the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, first win over Michigan since 1997, and first victory over a Top 15 team since 2000. The Boilermakers made an appearance at the Big Ten Tournament and defeated Iowa 4-1 in the first round, marking the program's first-ever postseason victory. Ashley Hall and Katie Mitchell garnered first team All-Mideast Region and All-Big Ten honors. Hall set season marks for hits (85) and stolen bases (36), while Mitchell snapped records for home runs (14), RBI (54), runs (54), and slugging percentage (.697). Baker set or tied season records for complete games (39), innings pitched (295.0), shutouts (12), games started (42), wins (26), and appearances (51). Baker wrapped up her career as Purdue's leader in wins (71), complete games (95), starts (124), appearances (172), and innings pitched (875.1). Hall and Baker were named Big Ten Player and Pitcher of the Week on April 16.
On Feb. 18, 2007, Ashley DiDomenico tossed a school-record 12 innings in a 7-6 win over Iowa State. On Feb. 23, 2007, Katie Mitchell became the first player in Big Ten history to hit for the cycle against Florida International. The team reached the 20-win milestone in just 28 games, the fastest in program history. Hall broke season and career triples records with eight and 14. Miller snapped the season record for sacrifice hits with 25, ranking third in the nation.
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On Feb. 15, 2008, Purdue defeated No. 7 Baylor, marking the Boilermakers' first win over a Top 10 foe since 1999. On May 17, 2008, Purdue earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory with a 4-3 win over Cal State Fullerton in an elimination game at the Los Angeles Regional.
In 2009, the team defeated five opponents ranked in the Top 20, including a season-opening victory over No. 4 UCLA. The Boilermakers earned their first-ever national ranking on Feb. 10 as the No. 23 team in the ESPN.com/USA Today Top 25 Poll. Purdue players were hit by a pitch 45 times, a new school record. The team led the Big Ten in stolen bases (100), hit by pitches, fielding double plays (21), and sacrifice flies (13). Katie Mitchell set the Purdue career home runs record with 37. Liane Horiuchi snapped the season record for stolen bases with 42, ranking first in the Big Ten and fifth nationally. Horiuchi and Molly Garst garnered second team All-Big Ten honors, while Jenna Alexander and Suzie Rzegocki received third team acclaim. Dana Alcocer and Rzegocki garnered Big Ten Pitcher of the Week nods, and Candace Curtis received Player of the Week acclaim.
Recent Highlights
On Feb. 7, 2009, the Boilermakers kicked off the season with their first win over a top-five opponent, defeating No. 4 UCLA. On Feb. 8, 2009, Purdue downed Pacific 8-1 to garner head coach Kim Maher's 100th career victory. On April 16, 2009, Purdue topped Valparaiso 7-1 for the 500th win in program history. On May 16, 2009, the Boilermakers downed UT Martin and No. 19 Louisville to advance to the Louisville Regional championship game against No. 6 Arizona.
In recent years, the team has continued to achieve milestones. The team set a game record for stolen bases with 12 against Michigan State on April 28. Liane Horiuchi and Molly Garst set a season record for steals with 43 each.
The 2012 Season
In Big Ten play, the team posted a 13-10 record, the second-highest conference win tally in program history and a sixth-place league finish. The Boilermakers secured a .500 or better record for the 14th straight season and 17th overall. The team reached the 30-win milestone, which Purdue squads have reached in 14 of the 18 previous seasons, including 11 of the last 12. Ashley Courtney garnered third team All-Big Ten acclaim, while Lindsey Rains and Molly Garst were named player of the week, and Lexy Moore was Co-Freshman and Co-Pitcher of the Week. Garst was named as one of 30 candidates selected nationally for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award and to the Academic All-District team.
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The team set season records for doubles (74) and on-base percentage (.395), while tying the record for triples (18) and batting average (.313). Rains ranked 25th in triples (4) and 39th in stolen bases per game (0.48). The team tied three game records: hits (18 vs. Troy), triples (3 vs. Niagara), and walks (9 twice). Danielle Fletcher snapped a 15-year-old game record for walks with four vs. Penn State on March 31. Garst tied the game record for hits (5) and steals (3), while Rains also tied the steals record, and Erika Petruzzi tied the game mark for home runs.
The 2013 Season
The team garnered program win No. 600, topping Utah State 2-1 on Feb. 15. Andie Varsho earned All-Mideast Region, first team All-Big Ten, and team MVP honors. She also became the Boilermakers' first Academic All-America selection since 2006. Maia Monchek picked up All-Big Ten honors, and Ashley Burkhardt joined her on the All-Mideast Region team. The Boilermakers ranked fourth nationally in stolen bases per game with 2.18. The team racked up a school record-tying 18 hits and 16 RBI in Game 2 of its April 13 doubleheader with IUPUI. Erika Petruzzi and Varsho tied the game record for stolen bases in a game (3). Petruzzi also matched the school record for home runs in a game (2). Danielle Fletcher launched her second career grand slam, making her one of just four Boilermakers to hit more than one grand slam in her career.
Purdue advanced to the second round of the Big Ten Tournament by defeating Michigan State 8-5 but lost to Nebraska. The Boilermakers finished the season at 23-32, including an 8-15 mark in Big Ten play.
Conclusion
Purdue University's softball program has a rich history filled with remarkable achievements and dedicated individuals. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a nationally recognized program, the Boilermakers have consistently demonstrated excellence, class, aggressive play, and hard-working enthusiasm. The program's commitment to building a tradition of success ensures a bright future for Purdue softball.
Team Statistics
LOB: Team (349), Opp (382)DPs turned: Team (6), Opp (18)IBB: Team (5), Szany 4, Billen 1, Opp (7)PB: Team (9), Povlitz 7, Maher 2, Opp (13)
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