Feb. 22, 2004
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Boilermakers wrapped up their stay at the Sonic Challenge with a 9-1 mercy rule win over Dayton Sunday afternoon. Freshman DaQueta Johnson had a record day, tying school single game records with seven RBI and a pair of home runs, including a grand slam. Purdue moves to 6-3 on the year and has a week off before their next competition at the Speedline Invitational in Clearwater, Fla.
Johnson got the Boilermaker scoring started with a three-run jack to dead center in the bottom of the first. The homer brought in Andrea Hillsey and Angela Knight who picked up back-to-back walks to lead off the inning. Designated player Katie Fortune singled and Lauren Devich walked to give Purdue a pair of base runners, but a fielder's choice ended the rally.
DU pitcher Melissa Myher walked Katie Absher to start the Boilermakers' half of the second, then Hillsey singled up the middle and Knight reached on an error by the third baseman to load the bases. Tricia Lilley then singled to left field to score Absher. Johnson then cleared the bases with a grand slam to center field, marking the seventh time in Purdue history that a single batter has launched two home runs in the same game. A fielder's choice, pop up and ground out got Dayton out of the inning.
The Boilermakers owned an 8-0 lead entering the top of the fifth, meaning it was do or die time for the Flyers. If they failed to score in the inning, Purdue would garner the eight-run mercy rule victory. Dayton decided to give fans their money's worth by extending the game. Kelly Schreier was hit by a pitch to begin the inning, then advanced to second on a ground out. Angie Barney hit a two-out single past the shortstop, which was enough to score Scheier and continue the game. DU popped out to end the stanza.
The Flyers went down 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth, to bring up the Boilermakers. Absher singled to the shortstop to start the inning, then moved to second on a passed ball. Hillsey singled to the third baseman who tossed the late throw high, allowing Absher to score and clinch Purdue the 9-1 run-rule win.
Johnson went 2-for-3 with seven RBI, while Lilley and Hillsey also went 2-for-3 with one RBI apiece. Freshman Brooke Baker (2-1) struck out four in the complete game victory, while Melissa Myher was tabbed with the loss after giving up eight runs in the first two innings.
Purdue returns to action March 4 at the Speedline Invitational in Clearwater, Fla.