April 25, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern scored 13 runs in four innings to post a come-from-behind win over Purdue in Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader. The Boilermakers led 3-0 after two innings, before falling to the Wildcats. Purdue looks to rebound from the loss in a Wednesday doubleheader with Dayton.
The Boilermakers started the game by putting a three-spot in the runs column. Senior Angela Knight hit a one-out single to right to start things off. Sophomore Tricia Lilley then pounded a home run over the center field wall to put Purdue on the board. Freshman DaQueta Johnson walked, then pinch runner Cheryl Buergler moved to second on an Erika Peterson single up the middle. Junior Shelli Messer then reached on a fielder's choice as Buergler was out at third. Freshman Katie Fortune then doubled to right, driving in Peterson from second. A pop up stopped the rally.
Northwestern broke through with a single run in the third. Sheila McCorkle posted a two-out infield single, then scored as the wind carried an Erin Mobley hit into center field for a double. The next two batters walked to load the bases, but a fly ball to right field got Purdue out of the inning without further damage.
The Wildcats took the lead with five runs on four hits in the fourth. Jamie Dotson sent a double to center to lead things off. She moved to third on a J.C. Kira sacrifice and scored on a Katie Logan single to left. Carrie Leto and Mobley were both hit by pitches to load the bases for Garland Cooper, who drove in two runs with a single to left. Freshman Brooke Baker relieved Diana LaRiva on the mound. Kristen Amegin then scored Mobley and Cooper with a double to left center.
The Boilermakers got two base runners in the fifth on a walk and hit, but could not convert. Johnson posted her second walk of the game, then Peterson singled to right center to scoot pinch runner Jamie Dum to third. A ground ball and fly ball to right kept the team off the scoreboard.
Northwestern added to its lead with seven runs on six hits and three errors in the sixth. Mobley started the rally with a two-out double to left. Garland Cooper joined her on base with a walk, then both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Kristen Amegin then reached on an error by the shortstop which scored Mobley. Eryn Manahan then scored Cooper with a single to left. Jamie Dotson added two more runs with a single to center field. She advanced to second on the play and to third on an errant throw home by the center fielder. Kira then singled to right center, scoring Dotson. An infield single put runners at first and second as LaRiva came back in to pitch. Leto then singled to center and advanced to second on an error, as Logan and Kira both scored. A swinging strikeout finally ended the stanza.
Purdue had to score in the bottom of the inning to continue the game, and despite getting a base runner on a fielding error, the team could not convert.
Northwestern scored 13 runs on 13 hits and three Purdue errors, while the Boilermakers managed three runs on six hits and two Wildcat miscues. Peterson led the Purdue bats going 2-for-2 at the plate. LaRiva (13-12) took the loss after seven strikeouts in a combined four innings of work. Courtnay Foster (12-12) picked up the win after four and a third innings, while Eileen Canney earned the save after pitching the final inning and two thirds.
The Boilermakers (28-22, 3-11 Big Ten) look to rebound from the loss in a Wednesday doubleheader at Dayton.