March 18, 2005
RALEIGH, N.C. - The Boilermaker softball team used a home run and heads up base running to defeat Akron 2-0 Friday evening. Senior Andrea Hillsey launched her sixth home run of the season to cap the win, while sophomore Brooke Baker picked up the complete game shutout on the mound.
Purdue tallied the game's first hit in the bottom of the second as sophomore DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) doubled into the right field corner. Pinch runner Jamie Dum (Indianapolis, Ind.) moved to third on an error by the shortstop, but was left stranded by a pair of strikeouts and a pop up.
The Zips used a fourth-inning double by Sara Zilles to snap Baker's no-hitter, but a strike out and ground out nullified the hit.
Akron put two runners on in the fifth inning, but again could not score. Jaclyn Spirtos reached on a fielding error by the shortstop, then the Zips batted out of order, causing two called outs. A ground out ended the inning.
The Boilermakers scored in the bottom of the inning on a walk, two fielder's choices and a sacrifice. Junior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) was hit by a pitch to open the stanza, then moved to second on a fielder's choice by Katie Fortune (Kingwood, Texas). Lilley and pinch runner Ashley Hall (Noblesville, Ind.) moved to second and third on a sacrifice by Lauren Devich (Bloomington, Ind.). Senior Katie Absher (Puyallup, Wash.) then reached on a two-out single, which saw Lilley score before Hall was tagged out at third.
The Zips put two runners on in the sixth on a walk and fielder's choice before the Purdue defense clamped down to hold the team scoreless. Carrese Moody walked, then moved to third on a Becky Stern fielder's choice and an errant throw by the third baseman. Zilles then hit into a fielder's choice, which saw both Moody and Stern out trying to score. A ground ball ended the inning.
Purdue padded its lead on Hillsey's two-out, no-doubt solo shot to left center in the sixth.
Akron went down 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh to seal the Boilermaker win.
Hillsey, Johnson and Absher tallied Purdue's three hits. Baker (Schererville, Ind.) struck out eight, while allowing one hit and one walk in the complete game victory for the Boilermakers. Tina McCauley (7-3) was charged with the loss for Akron.
The Boilermakers return to action at approximately 7:30 p.m., after the conclusion of the Western Illinois/Fairfield contest, which is ongoing.