April 6, 2004
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball team snapped a seven-game series losing streak to Notre Dame with a 4-3 extra-inning victory in Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader. Freshmen Erika Peterson and DaQueta Johnson launched back-to-back home runs in the top of the eighth to give Purdue the winning runs. The Boilermakers return to action on Friday for a 3 p.m. game against Illinois.
Notre Dame scored first in Game 2 as the team combined a hit an error and a stolen base for a run in the bottom of the first. Stephanie Brown led off with a single up the middle, then advanced to third as Nicole deFau reached on an errant throw by the third baseman. The Boilermakers then punched out deFau at second on a double steal attempt, allowing Brown to swipe home. A pop up and strike out ended the inning.
Purdue put a runner in scoring position in the second with a Shelli Messer one-out double to left center, but left her stranded with a ground out and strike out.
The Boilermakers tied it up in the fourth on a two-out solo home run to dead center field by sophomore Staci Falzon. The team had another base runner in the inning as freshman Erika Peterson led off with a bloop single to right field, but pinch runner Cheryl Buergler was caught leaving the base early during Falzon's at-bat.
The Irish threatened in fifth, putting a runner on first and third via a pair of one-out walks and a stolen base, but a pair of strikeouts kept the team from converting.
Purdue put junior Katie Absher in scoring position in the top of the seventh on a fielder's choice and stolen base with two outs, but left her stranded on a ground ball. Falzon started the inning with a single up the middle, but was out at second on a Messer fielder's choice. Absher's fielder's choice saw Messer stopped at second. She then stole second before the ground ball capped the inning.
Notre Dame had a chance to end it in the bottom of the seventh with two runners on board. Brown reached on a two-out single up the middle, then was bumped over to second on deFau walk. A ground out sent the game to extra innings.
The Irish walked lead-off batter Lauren Devich to start the extra stanza, then a Tricia Lilley sacrifice bunt moved her to second. A strikeout brought up freshman Erika Peterson with two outs and a runner in scoring position. Peterson delivered on the RBI opportunity with a home run to dead center field. Freshman DaQueta Johnson duplicated the effort with a solo shot up the right field line. Falzon continued the hit barrage with a bloop single into right field. A fielding error by the second baseman put Messer on base, scooting Falzon to second. A high fly ball to center ended the Purdue rally.
Purdue gave Notre Dame a free runner to lead off the bottom of the eighth, walking Meagan Ruthrauff. Pitcher Diana LaRiva then followed with her 11th K of the game to post the inning's first out. A pop up brought up Sara Schoonaert as the team's last hope. Schoonaert kept the game alive with a full-count double to center field, bringing Ruthrauff in to score. Carissa Jaquish followed with a triple to right center, driving in Schoonaert. Freshman Brooke Baker came in to relieve LaRiva, and got Nicole Wicks to fly out to right field to seal the Purdue win.
LaRiva (10-9) picked up the win, while Baker earned Purdue's first save of the season. Staci Falzon went 3-for-4 in the game, while Peterson was 2-for-3 including her home run in the eighth. Purdue scored four runs on seven hits, while the Irish put up three runs on five hits.
The Boilermakers return to action on Friday for a 3 p.m. contest with Illinois.