May 28, 2009

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The 2009 season was one of many milestones for the Boilermaker softball team, which continued to push ahead on the conference and national stages.

Purdue posted a 31-20 record, marking the program's 11-straight 30-win season, while also garnering its second straight NCAA Regional berth. The Boilermakers went on to earn two victories during postseason play, another program first.

The season featured five wins over Top 20 ranked opponents, including a season-opening victory over No. 4 UCLA, which marked the highest ranked foe ever defeated by a Boilermaker squad and the program's first win over a Top 5 team. Victories over No. 10 Northwestern, No. 14 Ohio State, No. 18 Texas A&M and No. 19 Louisville followed, to help the team to its most Top 25 wins since 1997 (six).

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 received votes in both the ESPN.com and the NFCA Coaches Poll in the preseason listings, but cracked the Top 25 for the first time in either poll with the No. 23 listing.

In conference play, Purdue registered a 12-8 record, its best league mark since 1997 (14-8) and the fifth double-digit Big Ten win tally in program history.

The Boilermakers posted the 500th win in program history against Valparaiso on April 16, while head coach Kim Maher surpassed the 100 win milestone against Pacific on Feb. 8. Both tallies, included a 2-0 win over No. 10 Northwestern, which clinched Maher and the seven-member senior class a victory over each of its 10 Big Ten foes.

The 2009 season wrapped up the careers of seven Boilermaker players: pitchers Dana Alcocer and Ashley DiDomenico, infielder Candace Curtis, first baseman Katie Mitchell, second baseman Kelly Miller, catcher Alicia Spack and outfielder Christina Trauger.

Statistically Speaking
Purdue players were hit by a pitch 45 times, marking a new school record. The team led the Big Ten in stolen bases (100), hit by pitch, double plays (21) and sacrifice flies (13). The Boilermakers ranked 13th nationally in stolen bases per game (1.96) and 29th in double plays per game (0.41).

Individually, senior first baseman Katie Mitchell set the Purdue record for home runs, boosting her career tally to 37.

Junior infielder Liane Horiuchi snapped the school season record for stolen bases with 42, posting a perfect 42-for-42 mark, which ranked first in the Big Ten and fifth nationally (0.82 per game). Horiuchi also was hit by a school season-record tying 21 pitches, a tally which ranked fourth nationally (0.41 per game). The Wahiawa, Hawaii native led the Big Ten in stolen bases, hit by pitch, triples (4) and defensive assists (116). Horiuchi ranked among the Purdue single-season top five in three other categories: third in on-base percentage (.500), fourth in slugging percentage (.624) and fifth in triples (4).

Sophomore pitcher Suzie Rzegocki ranked 36th nationally in ERA with a 1.48 mark. She earned spots in the Purdue single-season top five in six different categories, ranking third in wins (24), innings pitched (237.0), strikeouts (187) and complete games (24), fourth in ERA (1.48), winning percentage (.667) and starts (36), and fifth in shutouts (6).

Senior infielder Candace Curtis tallied 14 doubles, ranking fifth on the career list. Senior first baseman Katie Mitchell launched 12 home runs, good for second on the single-season list, behind her own record mark of 14. Freshman outfielder Molly Garst swiped 25 bases, tying her for third in that category.

On The Honor Roll
Four Boilermaker players received All-Big Ten accolades. Horiuchi and freshman player Molly Garst garnered second team honors at third base and utility player respectively. Junior catcher Jenna Alexander and Rzegocki received third team acclaim.

Three Purdue players were named Big Ten Player or Pitcher of the Week honors during the season. Senior pitcher Dana Alcocer and Rzegocki garnered Pitcher of the Week nods on Feb. 9 and March 9 respectively. Senior shortstop Candace Curtis received Player of the Week acclaim on May 11.

The Boilermakers excelled in the classroom as well. Horiuchi and Curtis were honored with Academic All-District V accolades. Horiuchi, a movement and sport sciences major, earned first team honors, while Curtis, a management major, garnered second team accolades.

Nine Purdue players received Academic All-Big Ten acclaim for posting a GPA of 3.0 or better: Jenna Alexander, Liz Allum, Candace Curtis, Liane Horiuchi, Shelby Krammer, Kelly Miller, Katie Mitchell, Alicia Spack and Kaity Stratten.

Team Accolades
The Boilermakers handed out five team awards at their May 10 banquet.

Senior catcher Alicia Spack received the Coaches' Award, which is given to a player who believes in the team vision, always puts the team first and is someone the coaches can rely and depend on.

Junior outfielder Liz Allum garnered the Unsung Hero Award, which is given to the player who is dedicated, selfless and puts in the work that may go unnoticed.

Junior catcher Jenna Alexander was honored with the Heart of a Champion Award, which is given to the player who is willing to put it all on the line for the team.

Junior infielder Liane Horiuchi was named the team's offensive MVP and sophomore pitcher Suzie Rzegocki was named defensive MVP.

Purdue Boilermakers

» Quick Facts | Schedule & Results
» Statistics | Statistics
» Game Notes 
» Media Guide| Virtual Guide