April 25, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - After six shutout innings, a bases loaded single in the bottom of the seventh clinched Northwestern a 1-0 victory over Purdue in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader. The Boilermakers look to rebound in Game 2 of the twin bill to split the series.
The Boilermakers put a pair of runners in scoring position in the opening stanza, but couldn't break into the runs column. Sophomore Staci Falzon led off with a single through the left side, then moved to third as senior Angela Knight reached on a two-base error by the shortstop. A ground out, pop up and strike out left the runners stranded.
Purdue put two more runners on base in the third on a walk and a base hit, but again could not convert. Freshman Katie Fortune drew a lead-off walk, then sophomore Tricia Lilley hit a two-out bloop single to left. A ground out kept the team from scoring.
The Wildcats threatened in the fourth putting runners at the corners with two outs. Sheila McCorkle posted a double to lead-off the inning, but was out on the next play as Erin Mobley hit into a fielder's choice. Garland Cooper walked, scooting Mobley to second. Kristen Amegin then hit into a fielder's choice, which saw Cooper punched out at second. A ground ball got Purdue out of the inning without any damage.
Northwestern put a runner on third again in the sixth. McCorkle led off with a single to right, then scooted to third on a sacrifice and a ground out. Another ground out, however, kept her from crossing the plate.
After three quiet innings, the Boilermakers put junior Shelli Messer in scoring position with a walk and pass ball in the top of the seventh. A strike out and two pop ups left her aboard.
The Wildcats loaded the bases in the seventh with a hit, a fielder's choice and a walk. Eryn Manahan singled then moved to second as Jamie Dotson reached on a fielder's choice. J.C. Kira drew a walk to load the bases. Freshman pitcher Brooke Baker remained unrattled, striking out the next batter. A Carri Leto single up the middle, however, scored Manahan from third to end the game.
Purdue managed just two hits in the game, while leaving five runners on base. Northwestern scored one run on four hits, while stranding eight runners. Eileen Canney (15-2) struck out 11 Boilermakers en route to the complete game victory, while Baker (15-10) K'ed four Wildcats in the loss.
"Brooke pitched her heart out," head coach Carol Bruggeman said. "She deserved to win. We just needed to score for her."
The Boilermakers will look to even the score in Game 2 of the doubleheader, which is slated for a 2:30 p.m. start.