Feb. 20, 2004
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Boilermaker softball team (4-1) recorded its second win of the day, when it defeated the Tennessee-Chattanooga Lady Mocs 8-2 Friday night. Freshman DaQueta Johnson launched a two-run home run as part of the Purdue hit barrage en route to the win. Sophomore pitcher Diana LaRiva moved to 3-1 on the year with the complete game victory.
The Lady Mocs scored first with a single run in the top of the first. Teri Herbert tallied a lead-off single up the middle to give UTC a base runner. Jeannie Cochrane then tabbed a bunt single and Bryn Favor followed with a sacrifice bunt to put both runners in scoring position. Leslie Barron walked to load the bases, as pinch hitter Melissa Ramirez came to the plate. Purdue pitcher Diana LaRiva pushed Ramirez to a full count, eventually giving up the base on balls and walking in Herbert from third. A caught foul ball and a pop up got LaRiva out of the inning without any more damage.
The Boilermakers answered in the bottom of the inning with four runs on five hits. Junior Andrea Hillsey led off with a single up the middle, then moved to third on a Katie Absher sacrifice bunt and a ground ball. Freshman DaQueta Johnson put Purdue on the board with a two-out double to the center field wall, driving Hillsey home. Junior Shelli Messer kept the rally going with a single up the middle, which scored Johnson. Redshirt sophomore Kristen Schell singled to left center and Lauren Devich walked to load the bases. Pitcher Leslie Barron then walked freshman Erika Peterson, scoring Messer from third. Senior Angela Knight continued the scoring run with a single up the middle to drive in Schell and give the Boilermakers a 4-0 lead. Britney Whittier took the mound and forced a ground out to end the inning.
With one out in the top of the third, the rain began, but 15 minutes later the team's took the field to continue the game. After the delay, Leslie Barron and Stefani Thomas singled then Amanda Hoiness walked to load the bases. Whittier then launched a high fly ball brought down in foul territory by Knight, but it was enough to score Barron from third and put the Mocs on the board.
Devich walked to lead off Purdue's half of the third, then pinch runner Staci Falzon stole second. Two fly balls later, Hillsey singled up the middle to drive in the run. The Boilermakers tacked on two more runs in the fourth inning when Johnson launched a two-run shot over the left field wall, scoring Lilley who walked to open the inning.
The Boilermakers added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, when Lilley scored on a fielder's choice by Schell, after making her way around the bases on a pair of singles and a ground out. A fly out and strike out ended the inning.
Chattanooga had one last chance in the top of the seventh but could not convert. Bryn Favor singled with one out, but was called out on the following play for interfering on a Leslie Barron hit. A ground out to the pitcher sealed the victory for Purdue.
Purdue scored eight runs on 12 hits, while UTC managed two runs on seven hits, while committing an error. DaQueta Johnson went 3-for-4 with three RBi and two runs scored to lead the Boilermaker effort. LaRiva (3-1) picked up the win, while Leslie Barron was tabbed with the loss.
The Boilermakers are back in action at 12:15 Saturday, when they take on the Bradley Braves. Live stats will be available at www.purduesports.com.