Feb. 25, 2005
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Kent State used a fourth-inning rally to defeat the Purdue softball team 4-2 on Friday afternoon. Sophomore Brooke Baker struck out seven in the complete game effort, but it was not enough as the team suffered its fourth loss of the season. Purdue looks to rebound against the host UT-Chattanooga Lady Mocs at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Purdue scored first with a pair of runs in the opening stanza. Senior Katie Absher (Puyallup, Wash.) drew a one-out walk, then was joined on base by senior Andrea Hillsey (White Lake, Mich.) who was hit by a pitch. Sophomore DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) made good on the RBI opportunity with a hit, which rolled through the center fielder's legs allowing both base runners to score and Johnson to end up at third. Sophomore Katie Fortune (Kingwood, Texas) was then hit by a pitch, putting runners at the corners. A line drive to the second baseman and a fly out to left field kept the Boilermakers from adding more runs.
The Boilermakers loaded the bases in the third, but couldn't manage any tallies on the scoreboard. Absher singled into short left field to kick off the inning, then was joined on base by Hillsey and Johnson, who both walked. Purdue then grounded into a double play and popped up to strand the runners.
Kent State picked up its first hit in the fourth inning as Ashley Fairhurst sent a lead-off single through the right side. Pinch runner Abby Molnar moved to second as Lauren Ellis reached on a fielding error by the pitcher. Molnar and pinch runner Jessica Kramb moved into scoring position as Jodi Stevens singled into left field. A Megan Verde double into centerfield scored two runs and moved Stevens to third. Kim Hamilton then singled into centerfield to drive in two more runs and give the Golden Flashes the lead. A fly ball to right field stopped the KSU rally.
Purdue put two runners on in the fifth, but couldn't drive them home. Junior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) led off with a single to short left field, then Absher picked up a bunt single to push her to second. A fielder's choice saw Falzon forced out at third, then a line drive to the short stop and a high fly ball to center field ended the inning.
Falzon gave the Boilermakers a runner in the seventh with a one-out bouncer up the middle. A line drive to the third baseman, who then turned the double play with a throw to first to catch Falzon off the bag, sealed the Kent State win.
Falzon (2-for-4) and Absher (2-for-3) posted two hits each to lead Purdue.
Keir McEachern (2-0) picked up the win for the Golden Flashes, while Baker was charged with the loss for the Boilermakers despite striking out seven KSU batters.
"In our first game of the day against Bradley, Diana LaRiva was tough when we needed her to be on the mound and she really helped carry our defense," head coach Carol Bruggeman said. "In Game 2, against Kent State, they just wanted it more than we did. They outhussled us. Brooke pitched a nice game and we hit the ball hard, but the ball had eyes for us today. The bottom line is that Kent State wanted it more than we did and that is disappointing."
The Boilermakers look to get back on the winning side of things against UT-Chattanooga at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.