March 27, 2004
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball team recorded its second no-hitter in a week's time, as freshman Brooke Baker recorded the first of her career in an 8-2 win over IPFW Saturday.
Baker struck out six, while walking just two in the complete game win as her team tallied eight runs on 10 hits in the contest. Junior Shelli Messer went 4-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored in the game to lead the Purdue offense. Both of the Mastodons runs in the game were unearned as they scored on an error in the sixth inning.
Purdue got on the board in the bottom of the first, combining a pair of hits, a walk and a fielder's choice for a pair of runs. Senior Angela Knight started things off with a lead-off single up the middle, then stole second. Junior Katie Absher then walked, before moving to second on a Tricia Lilley fielder's choice. Knight scored on the play as IPFW tried to get both Absher and Lilley out unsuccessfully. Messer then sent a one-out double into right field, bringing Absher home. A ground out and fly out ended the Purdue rally.
The Boilermakers put another runner in scoring position in the second. Freshman Katie Fortune drew a walk, then advanced on an Erica Peterson sacrifice bunt, and a ground out. Another ground ball, however, left her stranded.
Purdue tacked on another run in the third. Sophomore Staci Falzon tallied a one-out walk, then stole second, setting up another RBI attempt for Messer. She delivered with a double to left field, driving in the run. A pop up and fly out ended the inning.
Mindy Mason came in to pitch for the Mastadons in the fifth inning and allowed Purdue four runs on four hits. Falzon started the two-out rally with a single into left field. Messer followed with a single to right. Pinch hitter Becky Stone kept the outfield busy with a single to center, loading the bases. Sophomore Lauren Devich was then hit by a pitch, forcing Falzon to score. Senior Cheryl Buergler then drew a pinch hit walk, bringing Messer in. Freshman Erika Peterson then dropped a bloop single into left center, scoring Devich and Stone. A ground out kept the Boilermakers from picking up a run-rule victory.
IPFW scored for the first time in the game and the first time in series history, bringing in two runs on a pair of walks and an error in the sixth. Baker walked Kari Butler to start the inning. Butler stole second before Tierni Green joined her on base on another walk. A ground out moved the runners to second and third with two outs. Laura Randolph then hit the ball to the third baseman, who tossed a low throw to first base, allowing both runners to come around. Randolph was caught at second trying to extend the error into two bases.
Purdue capped the scoring in the bottom of the sixth with a single run on three hits. Freshman Catherine Zaworski opened things up with a pinch hit single past the shortstop, but was called out trying to steal second moments later. Lilley then singled to right and moved to second on a ground out. Messer then singled to center to drive in the run, then stole second opening first base for Stone, who walked. A ground ball, however, left both runners on base.
The Mastodons went down 1-2-3 in the seventh on a pair of ground balls and a pop up to seal the Purdue no-hit win.
Seven different Boilermakers tallied hits in the game, led by Messer's 4-for-4 day. Baker moves to 12-2 with the win, while Mindy Pomeroy was charged with the loss after giving uptwo runs in two innings of work. The no-hitter was the 11th in Purdue history and the 10th individual effort.
The Boilermakers look to extend their win streak to four in the night cap.