DIVISION I SOFTBALL Purnell's shutout powers Fitch to 11-0 win in Warren

She pitched a four-hitter, struck out 10 and added three hits.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
WARREN -- Jen Purnell helped the Fitch High softball team get to where it hasn't been in quite a while -- the final of the Division I sectional tournament.
Thursday, Purnell pitched a five-inning, four-hit shutout while striking out 10 batters as the Falcons eliminated Warren Harding, 11-0, at Packard Park.
Fitch was 1-21 a year ago before Melody Rice took over as the head coach.
The much-improved Falcons (10-4) earned a showdown with Federal League rival Boardman next Thursday for the sectional championship.
"This was definitely a confidence builder," Rice said. "We've come a long way from 1-21 last year to 10-4 this season and to get that first tournament win under out belts really feels good."
Included RBI triple
Mowing down Raiders' batters wasn't the only thing that Purnell did in the game.
She finished three-for-three at the plate, including a third inning triple, and drove in a run from her lead-off position.
She has pitched every game for the Falcons this season.
The Falcons finished with 10 hits and Nicole Smaldino and Kara Warren each added two hits.
One of Smaldino's was a double as she drove in two runs.
Harding (7-9) didn't help itself by making five errors.
Purnell said she was happy with her performance, but thought it could be better.
"I felt pretty good today, but there is always room for improvement," she said.
The one-sided game didn't really effect her concentration out on the mound.
"My teammates never let me lose concentration out there, they always keep me on my toes," she added.
Looks forward to Boardman
Purnell said that she is looking forward to another game against Boardman next week.
In the first meeting between the teams, Fitch pulled out a 5-4 win in eight innings.
"We're all looking forward to that game," Purnell said.
Purnell gave up two of the four hits she allowed to the first three batters of the game, then retired the next eight batters. She allowed singles in the fourth and fifth inning, but was never in trouble.
Started opening rally
She led off the game for Fitch with her first single and with the help of three Harding errors the Falcons plated four runs in the first inning.
Fitch added three more runs in the second on four hits, including Smaldino's double and a two-run single by Warren.
Purnell's triple to deep left field drove in Jessica Reigrut with the Falcons' eighth run and then they added three more in the fourth on a two-run single by Sara Convery and a sacrifice fly by Kayla Mazerik.
Harding's Chris Cribley had two of her team's four hits. Tempest Zeigler and Kayla Sparks had the other hits.
mollica@vindy.com