May 2, 2004
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Freshman Erika Peterson recorded a perfect day at the plate including a school-record tying two home runs as the Boilermaker softball team posted a 6-1 win over Penn State in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader. Purdue will look for a sweep with a win in the night cap of the twin bill.
The Boilermakers scored first in the game with a single run in the opening stanza. Sophomore Staci Falzon led off with a double to center, then senior Angela Knight was hit by a pitch. Peterson then looped a single to short left field to load the bases with one out. PSU then walked freshman DaQueta Johnson to give Purdue its first tally. A pair of strikeouts left three runners stranded.
The Nittany Lions evened the score in the second inning with one run on one hit and an error. Katie Stauffer reached on an error by the shortstop, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Kate Gentile then sent a single to center field, which allowed Stauffer to score, before a pair of ground balls ended the inning.
Purdue regained the lead with four runs in the bottom of the inning, including a three-run home run. Falzon again started things off with a two-out double to left center. Knight followed with a triple off the right center fence, to put the Boilermakers back on top. Penn State then walked sophomore Tricia Lilley, putting runners at the corners for Peterson. The freshman delivered with a towering three-run shot over the left field wall. PSU walked pinch hitter Becky Stone, before a ground out ended the rally.
Penn State threatened in the fourth, loading the bases on a fielder's choice, an error and a walk. Gentile drew a one-out walk, then Scarlett Neal reached on a fielder's choice, which saw pinch runner Brittany Corl out at second on a great sliding play by Lilley. An error on the shortstop moved the runner and put Kari Lucas on base. Another walk loaded the bases, but freshman pitcher Brooke Baker got herself out of the jam with a looking strikeout.
The Boilermakers tacked on another run in the fourth as Peterson sent a solo shot off the top of the center field wall. The round tripper was Peterson's second of the game, tying the school record for most home runs in a game, a task achieved by six other players in program history. Johnson tallied a pair of homers earlier in the season against Dayton.
PSU loaded the bases again in the sixth, on a fielder's choice and two walks, but again it was to no avail. Gentile climbed aboard on an infield single, but was out at second on a Neal fielder's choice. Lucas and Steph Viola joined her on base via walk, but Baker again wiggled out of the situation with a strikeout and a ground out.
The Nittany Lions put two runners aboard in the top of the seventh, but could not score. The first batter stuck out, then after a walk, the third batter struck out looking. Gentile singled to left, moving Stauffer, who walked to second. Neal then hit into a fielder's choice to end the game.
Purdue scored six runs on seven hits, while allowing just one run on six hits. Peterson led the Boilermakers bats with a 3-for-3 day at the plate, including two home runs.
Baker (17-11) picked up the complete game victory after striking out eight Nittany Lion batters. Missy Beseres (10-16) was tabbed for the loss after giving up five runs in an inning and two thirds.
The Boilermakers will look to pick up their first sweep of the conference season in Game 2 of the doubleheader, which is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.