March 22, 2003
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Senior Leighann Burke threw the first no-hitter of her career, the seventh in school history, and three Boilermakers went yard in a 8-0 mercy rule, home-opening victory Saturday morning.
Burke (11-6) allowed just two walks, while striking out eight in the five inning effort. Purdue (16-12) scored in each of the five innings en route to the victory. Senior Jesse Jones singled to left center, knocking in sophomore Andrea Hillsey in the bottom of the first to give Burke all the run support she would need. Hillsey walked and advanced to second on a Heidi Foster fielder's choice before scoring. Foster crossed the plate after a passed ball and an error by the second baseman, which put senior Andrea Roush aboard.
Freshman shortstop Tricia Lilley launched a two-out home run over the centerfield wall to tab the team's lone run in the second. The Boilermakers tacked on three more runs in the third as Foster drove in Hillsey with a double to center and Jones jacked a two-run shot down just inside the left field foul pole. Hillsey walked to open the inning.
In the fourth inning, it was a sacrifice fly by Jones that gave the Old Gold and Black a tally on the scoreboard. Lilley reached on an error by the first baseman, then senior Angi Roembke posted a bunt single to join her on base. Foster singled to left, packing the bases for Jones, who flied out to right field, but hit it deep enough to score Lilley.
Senior Laura Martin capped the game with a walk-off solo round tripper to leadoff the fifth and enlist the eight-run mercy rule.
Stephanie Taylor (3-6) took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on five hits in two full innings. The Boilermakers finished the game with eight runs on nine hits and two Bulldog errors.
Jones was 2-for-2 with four RBI, while Lilley and Foster went 2-for-3 with one RBI apiece. The victory marked the Boilermakers' eighth home opening victory in 10 tries, and the third straight year of doing so.