March 19, 2003
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The second game of the doubleheader with the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers was a defensive battle, standing scoreless after seven full innings, but Purdue pulled out a 5-0 win in eight innings.
The Boilermakers found their bats in the eighth inning, with Staci Falzon placed on second due to the international tie breaker rule. Freshman third baseman Lauren Devich singled to left field to move Falzon to third and put another runner aboard. Sophomore Katie Absher pinch ran for Devich and stole second, before junior Angela Knight singled past the third baseman to load the bases. Freshman Tricia Lilley hit a bloop single over the first baseman's head to drive in Falzon and tab the game's first run. Senior Angi Roembke hit into a fielder's choice, but Absher scored from third as the catcher couldn't hold onto the ball after Absher's slide. Senior Heidi Foster then sent an RBI single into left field, sending Knight across the plate. WKU pitcher Allison Silver then hit Jesse Jones in the batting helmet, sending her to first base and walking Lilley home. An Andrea Roush single to short capped the Purdue victory.
Strong defense sealed the win in the bottom of the inning. Catcher Jesse Jones picked off the Hilltoppers' lead runner, then a ground out and a caught foul ball by Jones ended the game.
In what could have been a risky move, the Boilermakers' reliever Leighann Burke intentionally walked two batters to load the bases in the seventh, following a lead off double by Kristalyn Smith and a sacrifice bunt. The risk paid off as designated player Adrienne Lathrop hit into a double play as Purdue got the force out at home and threw out Lathrop at first.
Each team tallied three hits in regulation, but Burke (10-6) pitched two perfect innings to cap the Purdue effort and tab her second win of the day. Silver dropped to 6-4 with the loss.
Senior Andrea Roush went 2-for-4 in the effort, while four different Boilermakers tallied RBI.
The Old Gold and Black will have a few days off before playing host to the Boilermaker Invitational, Saturday and Sunday in West Lafayette.