2005 SFB Big Ten Tournament -- Game 1 Notes & Quotes
5/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
2005 Big Ten Softball Tournament
#19 Northwestern 2, Purdue 0
Game 1 -- Thursday, May 12 -- 5:00 p.m.
Alumni Field, Ann Arbor, Mich.
NOTES AND QUOTES
Northwestern Notes
Kristen Amegin hit her 13th home run of the season and 24th of her career -- both NU records (HR came in the bottom of the second inning). ... The home run also tied her for fifth all-time RBI in Northwestern history with 88, tying Carrie Leto. ... With Courtney Foster's complete-game shutout, Northwestern has not allowed Purdue to score in the last 24 innings dating to last year. ... Northwestern has won its last four Big Ten Tournament opening games (2000-2005). ... Northwestern is 2-0 all time vs. Purdue in the Big Ten Tournament.
Northwestern Head Coach Kate Drohan
On the game ... "I was pleased with the way we hit the ball on the ground. We only had one strikeout and [Baker] is a good pitcher. I think [Foster] pitched pretty well, but we need that big hit and I like to see that big hit to stretch the game and really get the momentum going our way."
On strategy ... "I was pleased with our execution. The girls worked hard and we did a good job of advancing runners."
On Foster ... "I was really happy with the way Courtney (Foster) was throwing the ball today -- she really wanted it. She was ahead of her batters and I'm just very pleased with her today."
On Garland Cooper winning Big Ten Player of the Year Award ... "Yeah, I'm happy with that, but I talked to the girls before the game and I told them that there's only one award that matters, and that's the Big Ten championship."
Northwestern Junior P Courtney Foster
On the game ... "I feel like I threw well. Our team made some good plays on defense. We hit the ball. We put the ball in play. Didn't come up with as many runs as I think we could have, but we got the job done so now we can focus on tomorrow. I think our whole team has a lot of confidence and I'm feeling it as well."
On her performance ... "I was throwing well. I was hitting my spots. I missed a couple pitches, but nothing I can't work on."
Purdue Notes
This was Purdue's first Big Ten Tournament game since 2000. ... Purdue is 0-5 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament. ... Brooke Baker's seven innings in the circle set a Purdue record for most innings pitched in a Big Ten Tournament game. The previous record was five innings, set in 1997 and equaled in 2000.
Purdue Senior 2B Andrea Hillsey
On the game ... "Our seniors are disappointed, obviously. This is my first Big Ten Tournament and we were close the whole game. We have to wait and see if the (NCAA) committee decides if we get in now. Our defense was good and we were equal to Northwestern's good hitters. We needed some runs to get back in the game and they just didn't drop."
On her senior season ... "It was special and I was excited to make the Big Ten Tournament. I wanted to make the tournament and once we got here we thought we could win it."
Purdue Head Coach Carol Bruggeman
On the game ... "It was an outstanding battle between two quality teams. Both teams pitched well and the difference was that ball over the fence and her (Northwestern's Kristen Amegin) second RBI. Defensively we played well. Our outfield made some great catches and the infield was very strong. We just need some breaks to score and didn't get them. Shelli Messer played great and Katie Absher was outstanding in centerfield. Our whole infield did great. Andrea (Hillsey) and Tricia Lilley turned that great bases-loaded double play. We rose to the occasion and stepped up our game."
On the strength of the Big Ten Conference ... "Top to bottom the Big Ten is one of the best conferences in the country. Playing conference games poses challenges each time out. You have to find ways to make plays and stay competitive each game in this league."
On Purdue's NCAA Tournament hopes ... "We wanted a Big Ten Conference title really bad for our seniors. Now we have to wait for the (NCAA) committee to decide which teams make the tournament. I think Michigan, Northwestern and Iowa are a lock. I also think that Wisconsin, Ohio State, Penn State and us have a legitimate chance of making the field. We'll have to see Sunday."
