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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 20 • 25 BY TRAVIS BAUGH TBaugh@Purdue.edu I t was a demoralizing opening two days of the season for the softball team as it lost all four of its games despite staying competitive in every contest. The Boilermakers took out their frustrations in the weekend finale on Day 3, with a 1-0 victory Sunday over No. 24 Texas A&M to save them- selves from a winless performance in the So Cal College Challenge. "That was an outstanding win against SEC team who is good and coached by a Hall of Fame coach," Coach Kim Schuette said. "It was a great ballgame where both teams were fighting back and forth. ... But I was really pleased with the fight that we had." Purdue showed flashes of solid hitting and pitching throughout the weekend, but couldn't turn it into a win until Sunday. The Boilermakers combined for a mere four hits in 2-0 and 2-1 losses to San Diego State despite solid performances on the mound from Lilly Fecho. Purdue bats came to life with 20 hits in 5-3 and 9-3 losses to Cal State Fullerton and No. 7 UCLA, but fell victim to a pair of high-scoring innings from the opposition each time. Cal State Fullerton jumped out to a 4-0 first inning lead and withstood the Boilermakers three- run seventh inning. Purdue and UCLA were tied entering the sixth inning before the Bruins exploded for six runs in the stanza. "We had to keep pushing along," Fecho said. "We knew we were in all of those games throughout the weekend, and we knew one was go - ing to go our way. We had to keep fighting and get the win against Texas A&M." Fecho's efforts helped Purdue do just that, tossing a complete game one-hitter in her best performance of the weekend. A fifth-inning RBI single by senior Ashley Burkhardt provid- ed Fecho with all the run support she needed. "Lilly stepped up this weekend," Schuette said. "She threw OK Friday, she threw real well (Saturday) and she threw a great game (Sunday). Each day she got stronger and she finished with an exclamation mark." Fecho was aided by a defense that was strong throughout the weekend, committing just three errors — an impressive number considering Purdue hadn't played outside since October. Purdue com - mitted 69 errors in 56 games last season. "Our defense did a phenenomal job," Burkhardt said. "Even if they got a hard hit, we were there to back her up no matter what. It's amazing HAPPY ENDING Softball salvages weekend with win over No. 24 Texas A&M Purdue Ashley Burkhardt went 4-for-4 against UCLA as Purdue cranked out a weekend-high 11 hits against the Bruins. CERAMIC • ENGINEERED HARDWOOD LAMINATES • MARBLE CARPETING Specializing in • Homes • Businesses • Churches • Schools Where Contractors Buy Their Flooring Builders! Call our Contract Department and ask for our Contract Specialist 3437 State Road 26 E. 765-447-9393 800-403-6889 FAX 765-448-9978 Across from the Post Office GO BOILERS Purdue Lilly Fecho was dominant against Texas A&M, striking out seven Aggies and allowing one hit.