Feb. 26, 2005
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The UT-Chattanooga softball team used home field advantage and timely hits to defeat the Boilermakers 4-2 on Day 2 of the Frost Classic. Purdue looks to rebound against Kentucky (4-13) in a 4:45 p.m. contest.
After taking down the Lady Mocs 1-2-3 to open the game, Purdue managed to put a run on the board in the bottom of the inning. Junior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) doubled into the left field corner to lead things off, then advanced to third on an off-the-mark throw by the left fielder. Senior Andrea Hillsey (White Lake, Mich.) drew a one-out walk to join her on the basepaths. Hillsey stole second and the catcher threw the ball into the outfield trying to catch her, allowing Falzon to score. Hillsey, however, was left stranded by a strikeout and a pop up.
UTC answered with a single run in the top of the second. Ashlan Clarkson picked up the RBI with a single through the right side that scored Ashleigh Bull, who led off with a triple into right center. A strikeout, a fielder's choice and a ground ball kept Clarkson from making it home.
The Lady Mocs took the lead with a pair of runs in the fourth. Bull posted a one-out single then moved to third on a missed fielder's choice. Bull and Clarkson, who was on second after the fielder's choice, scored on a two-out double to left by Brittney Whittier to put UTC up 3-1. A fly ball to center prevented further damage.
An RBI single into right by sophomore Katie Fortune (Kingwood, Texas) got the Boilermakers one run back in the bottom of the inning. Fortune's hit through the right side scored pinch runner Jamie Dum (Indianapolis, Ind.) from second base and scooted senior Shelli Messer (Greenfield, Ind.) from third. Dum was on base for sophomore DaQueta Johnson, who walked, while Messer reached on an infield single.
The Boilermakers put two runners on in the fifth on a one-out hit Falzon hit and a pinch hit walk by Becky Stone, but a ground out double play kept them from scoring.
UTC added another run in the sixth on two hits and a walk. Bull singled through the right side to start the inning, then was joined by Clarkson, who walked. Whittier hit a one-out double into centerfield, scoring pinch runner Stefani Thomas. Clarkson was thrown out at the plate on the play and Whittier was caught trying to take third on the throw home to end the inning.
Purdue had one last chance in the bottom of the seventh as senior Katie Absher (Puyallup, Wash.) singled to the shortstop, following two fly balls to the outfield. Hillsey came to the plate and sent a high fly ball to the left field fence, which was pulled down by Jeannie Cochrane to seal the UTC win.
Falzon led Purdue with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate including the team's only extra-base hit of the afternoon. The Boilermakers left seven runners on the basepaths.
Lacey Swarthout (5-3) earned the complete game victory, allowing two runs on six hits. Sophomore Brooke Baker (4-4) was charged with the loss after striking out two in six innings of work. Freshman Melissa Burns threw the final inning for the Boilermakers.