April 16, 2004
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Purdue allowed Minnesota just two first-inning runs but that was all it would take as the Gophers held the Boilermakers scoreless, en route to a 2-0 win. The Boilermakers will continue their search for a Big Ten victory in a rematch with the Gophers at noon on Saturday.
The Golden Gophers scored first with a pair of runs on two hits and an error in the bottom of the first. Megan Higginbotham drove in both runs with a triple to left center. The three-bagger scored Stephanie Sward, who hit an infield single to lead off the inning, and Tonya Mitchell, who reached on a fielding error by the pitcher. A pair of strikeouts and a fly out left Higginbotham stranded at third.
The Boilermakers got their first base runner in the top of the third as sophomore Lauren Devich sent a single straight into a hole in front of second base. She moved into scoring position on a passed ball, but was left stranded by a pair of strike outs.
Minnesota threatened in the bottom of the inning, putting Sward on third via a hit and two stolen bases, but the runner was extinguished as she tried to steal home.
Sophomore Staci Falzon singled up the middle to lead off the fifth, and sophomore Tricia Lilley drew a one-out walk in the sixth, but Purdue could not convert either runner into a tally on the scoreboard.
Redshirt sophomore Kristen Schell gave the Boilermakers one final hope with a two-out single up the middle in the seventh, but she was left stranded by a ground out to short.
The Gophers went down in order after the first inning, as the two runners who reached base were caught stealing.
Minnesota scored two runs on three hits and two Purdue errors, while the Boilermakers were scoreless after tallying three hits. Falzon, Schell and Devich supplied Purdue's hits.
Sophomore Diana LaRiva (10-11) took the loss after striking out eight in the complete game effort, while Piper Marten (17-7) K'ed six in the shutout win.
The Boilermakers will continue their search for a conference victory when they take on the Gophers again at noon on Saturday.