Nevada softball beats Purdue

The Nevada softball team claimed its first-ever NCAA Regional victory with a 4-1 win over Purdue on Friday.

Sophomore Katie Holverson tossed a complete-game three-hitter and Britton Murdock slammed a three-run home run to propel Nevada to the victory. The Wolf Pack improved to 43-16 overall and will face UCLA at 3 p.m. today at UCLA's Easton Stadium in a game that will be televised by ESPNU

"I think this is a huge confidence boost as a group," Nevada coach Michelle Gardner said.

Holverson was dominant in the circle against the Boilermakers in running her record to 21-6 on the year. She struck out eight and walked just three and only yielded one run as Purdue manufactured a run in the third inning.

"The bottom line is that she did her job," Purdue coach Kim Maher said of Holverson. "We didn't adjust to her."

Holverson was staked to the 3-0 lead after Murdock's first-inning blast. With temperatures topping 90 degrees, the heat didn't bother the Anthem, Ariz.-native.

"I felt really good out there and felt confident when we got those three runs," Holverson said.

Douglas High graduate Brittany Puzey also went 1-for-3 with an RBI single in the fourth to provide Nevada's other run.

For more on the Nevada softball team and the NCAA Regional, visit www.nevadawolfpack.com and the Wolf Pack's NCAA Region Headquarters. The online feature has stories, stats, photos and more, including a daily blog from senior infielder Kristin Stith.