March 11, 2005
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Boilermakers found their bats against Oklahoma State, tallying six hits by four different players en route to a 4-1 victory. Senior Andrea Hillsey went 3-for-3 on the day including a double and a solo home run, while sophomore Brooke Baker led the team on the mound.
Oklahoma State tallied two hits in the opening stanza, but could not manage a run. Stephanie Nicholson singled to second base, then Megan Carey sent a two-out single up the middle, but a ground ball kept the Cowgirls off the scoreboard.
The Boilermakers hung a two-spot on the scoreboard with a trio of hits in the opening stanza. Junior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) singled through the left side to give Purdue a base runner with one out. Hillsey (White Lake, Mich.) followed with a single up the middle, moving Lilley to third. Hillsey was caught stealing, opening first base for senior Shelli Messer (Greenfield, Ind.), who walked. Lilley then scored as the catcher threw the ball into the outfield while trying to catch her away from third. Messer moved to second on the play and then scored on a two-out single to left by redshirt junior Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.).
Purdue tacked on another run in the third on two hits and a sacrifice. Junior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) started things off with a single through the left side, then moved to second on a sacrifice and stole third. Hillsey then doubled past the shortstop to drive in the run.
OSU broke into the run column with a single score in the fifth. Lacy Darity singled up the middle, then Shanel Scott followed with a single to left. A ground ball moved both runners into scoring position, then a wild pitch scored Darity from third. Another ground out ended the stanza.
Hillsey sent a solo shot over the left field fence to open the sixth inning and give Purdue an insurance run.
The Cowgirls threatened in the top of the seventh with back-to-back one-out singles by Ashlyn Watson and Dominique Van Nortwick
Hillsey led the Purdue offense with a 3-for-3 performance at the plate, as the Boilermakers tallied four runs on six hits.
Sophomore Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) moved to 7-6 on the season with the complete game victory. Baker struck out five Cowgirls in the effort. Jessica Hoppock (7-6) was charged with the loss for OSU.
"I though we played well enough to win both of our games today," head coach Carol Bruggeman said. "The first game loss was heartbreaking, but we left two many runners on base and could not come up with any RBI. In the second game, Andrea Hillsey led the way. She is a great leader both off the field and with her performance. Both Diana LaRiva and Brooke Baker pitched very solid games today. In the second game, Brooke was tough when she needed to be and did a good job getting herself out of jams."
The Boilermakers return to action at 10 a.m. Saturday when they take on Western Michigan (3-9) to wrap up pool play.