May 5, 2002
CHAMPAIGN-URBANA, Ill. - The Purdue softball team dropped its final game of the 2002 season on Sunday, 5-3, to Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, despite a great comeback rally. The Boilermakers end their season at 33-26 (3-14 Big Ten), while the Fighting Illini end their season at 32-22 (10-9 Big Ten).
"Today I was very proud of the way we fought back to tie the game up, because we did have a chance to win that game," said Purdue head coach Carol Bruggeman. "However, we truly have been the tough-luck losers in the Big Ten this year. We've lost a lot of close games, as we've come up on the wrong side of the scoreboard."
The Boilermakers found themselves in a hole quickly, as the Illini came out ready to play again on Sunday, after their 10-1 win on Saturday. In the first inning, the Orange and Blue scored one unearned run from their third baseman after she singled through the left side to reach the bases.
Then, in the top of the third inning, the Fighting Illini put two more runs on the board off of two hits and two Purdue errors as they extended their lead to 3-0.
But, the Boilermakers weren't ready to give in in their final game of the 2002 season, as sophomore right fielder Angela Knight started the fifth inning rally off with two outs. Knight singled up the middle, followed by a senior shortstop Katie Crabtree single to left field.
However, once again, junior left fielder Angi Roembke was the Boilermakers' spark plug, as she bunted for a single and then advanced to second on a throwing error by the Illini first baseman. The error allowed Knight to head on home after advancing to third on the base hit and Crabtree continued on to third base. The Boilermakers left both Crabtree and Roembke stranded, however, with another infield ground out to end the inning.
Following its nice fifth inning stint, Purdue held Illinois and came back with more in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior first baseman Heidi Foster started things off with a single through the left side and was then pinch run for by freshman Courtney Kovanis.
The Illini made a pitching change as Kovanis stepped onto the base paths and junior center fielder Andrea Roush started the inning off with an infield single to put runners at first and second with no outs.
Then, with the sacrifice attempt, junior catcher Jesse Jones laid down a bunt, but was able to reach with credit for a single, as the Illini weren't quick enough to make any play on any of the three bases, loading them up.
Junior designated player Laura Martin stepped to the plate and got a single through the left side that scored two runs for two RBI, as Roush and Kovanis crossed the plate.
After the Boilermakers worked to get the game tied at 3-3, the Illini fought back in the top of the seventh inning and tallied their two game-winning runs on four hits. Illinois was able to get those runs by virtue of a single and then a walk that would then come around for the game-winners.
The Boilermakers will finish up their 2002 season on Monday night with the annual softball banquet. At the banquet, all the individual and team awards for the 2002 season will be announced.
Additionally, the seedings for the 2002 Big Ten Tournament have been set, according to each team's conference placing and records for the 2002 regular season. The Michigan Wolverines captured the 2002 regular season crown, as the Ohio State Buckeyes finished second. Defending Tournament champion Iowa takes the third-place seed and Wisconsin will be the No. 4 seed. After figuring through the tie-breaker rules, the Penn State Nittany Lions will be the No. 5 seed and the Illinois Fighting Illini finish sixth for the final spot in the field.
The Tournament can be followed on www.bigten.org all weekend for results, scores and recaps.
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