April 18, 2004
MADISON, Wis. - The Boilermakers split their second series of the weekend with a 3-2 victory over Wisconsin in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader. Sophomore Staci Falzon posted the game-winning RBI for the second straight day with a seventh-inning double. Purdue (25-19, 2-8 Big Ten) returns to action on Tuesday for a home doubleheader with IUPUI. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.
After two and a half innings of three-up three-down softball, Purdue broke through with two runs on four hits in the bottom of the third. Junior Katie Absher started the rally with an infield single, then moved to second on a Becky Stone sacrifice bunt. Senior Angela Knight then tallied a two-out infield single to bump Absher to third. Sophomore Tricia Lilley followed with a single up the middle to get the Boilermakers on the board. An Erika Peterson bloop single up the third base line gave Purdue another run, bringing Knight around from second and moving Lilley to third. A ground out kept the Boilermakers from extending the rally.
Wisconsin managed one run in the top of the fourth on a walk, an error and a sacrifice fly. Samantha Polito picked up the lead-off walk, then moved to third as Athena Vasquez reached on a two-base errant throw by the third baseman. Boo Gillette then recorded the RBI with a one-out sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Polito. After making the catch, the right fielder, Knight, fired the ball to Stone at first who turned and sent the ball to third to pick up the double play, catching Vasquez who was trying to advance on the play.
Only two Badgers had reached base entering the top of the sixth, both via walk, but Polito snapped the no-hitter with a single to left field. Polito did not stay on base for long, however, as she was caught attempting to steal second. A strikeout ended the inning.
The Boilermakers loaded the bases in the sixth, but came up empty after a fielder's choice, pick off and ground out. Lilley tallied the lead-off double, then moved to third on a Peterson single through the left side. Junior Shelli Messer singled to short to fill the bags. Sophomore Lauren Devich hit into a fielder's choice with the out coming at home. Pinch runner Cheryl Buergler was then picked off at third, before a ground out got the Badgers out of a dangerous situation.
Wisconsin had to score in the top of the seventh to extend the game, and managed to do so with a single swing of the bat. Kris Zacher popped a foul ball to the shortstop, then Gillette launched a solo home run over the left field wall. A ground out and a looking strikeout brought the Boilermakers to bat.
It all came down to the bottom of the seventh. Absher led off with an infield chopper toward third base good for a single. She was then sacrificed over to second by Stone. Sophomore Staci Falzon ended the game recorded her second game winning RBI in as many days, sending a double over the head of the center fielder in left center.
Lilley, Peterson and Absher each tallied two hits in the contest as Purdue scored three runs on 10 hits. Wisconsin managed two runs on two hits and an error.
Sophomore Diana LaRiva (12-11) picked up the win, striking out six in the complete game effort, while Brock Eden (10-9) was charged with the loss.
Purdue (25-19, 2-8 Big Ten) returns to action on Tuesday for a home doubleheader with IUPUI. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.