May 4, 2002
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Purdue softball team fell today, 10-1, to the Illinois Fighting Illini at Eichelberger Field in Champaign. The Boilermakers fall to 33-25 (3-13 Big Ten) on the year, while the Illini improve to 31-22 (9-9 Big Ten).
The Boilermakers made a good start to the game, coming out and scoring right away in the top of the first inning, as freshman second baseman Andrea Hillsey hit an RBI double that scored junior left fielder Angi Roembke from second. Roembke reached base on her own single and then a stolen base while Hillsey was at the plate moved her to second.
In the bottom of the first inning, the Illini made a rally that tied the game at 1-1, when Illinois' fifth batter hit an RBI single, scoring the leadoff batter who was walked by starting pitcher Nicole Crouse.
The game would continue on, scoreless, until the bottom of the fourth inning, when the Illini used a nine-run rally to tally their game winners off of nine hits and one Purdue error. The Orange and Blue left only one runner on base during their breakout inning.
Senior shortstop Katie Crabtree became the Boilermakers' lone career hits leader with 254, as she hit a double in the top of the fifth in an effort to rally the Old Gold and Black after the Illini's nine-run inning. The rally was unsuccessful, as Crabtree was the Boilermakers' lone base runner in the fifth inning.
On the mound, senior Nicole Crouse made the start and pitched 2.1 innings, allowing four hits and two runs, while walking four and striking out one, before she was replaced by left-handed reliever Leighann Burke. Burke saw 1.2 innings and allowed seven hits and eight runs.
The Boilermakers will return to the field on Sunday for their final game of the 2002 season, as they play the Fighting Illini again in Champaign. Game time is noon CDT/EST at Eichelberger Field.
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