March 20, 2005
RALEIGH, N.C. - An eighth-inning rally by the Illinois-Chicago Flames snagged the Wolfpack Challenge title from Purdue by way of a 4-3 victory. Senior Andrea Hillsey and sophomore Erika Peterson each posted two hits for the Boilermakers. The team returns to the field for its home-opener against Detroit at noon on Saturday.
Hillsey (White Lake, Mich.) hit a two-out single to the shortstop in the opening stanza to give Purdue a base runner. A fielder's choice on the following play, saw her out at second to end the inning.
The Flames tallied their first hit of the game with a Nikki Shepard double in the bottom of the first. A failed sacrifice attempt, a fly out and a strikeout left her stranded.
Sophomore Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) drew a lead-off walk in the third, but pinch runner Jamie Dum (Indianapolis, Ind.) was caught stealing nullifying the base runner. A strikeout and fly out wrapped up the stanza.
Michelle Miller posted a lead-off single for UIC, but was out on a fielder's choice by Joyce Cathey. A fly out followed then Cathey was caught stealing to end the inning.
Hillsey sent a one-out double into deep left center, but couldn't make her way around the bases due to a fly out and a pop up.
Brittany Dixon walked to start the bottom of the fourth and moved to second on a sacrifice. A fly out and strike out kept her from scoring.
The Boilermakers ended the scoreless tie with one run on two hits in the fifth. Sophomore Katie Fortune (Kingwood, Texas) drew a lead-off walk. Pinch runner Tiffany Krcelich (Granger, Ind.) moved to second on a Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.) sacrifice. Peterson then singled through the right side pushing Krcelich to third. Junior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) followed with another single through the right side, scoring Krcelich and bumping Peterson to second. Senior Shelli Messer (Greenfield, Ind.) then walked to load the bases. A pair of infield pop ups kept Purdue from capitalizing.
UIC put a runner on in the bottom of the inning as Miller posted a two-out single to left. A caught foul ball left her stranded.
Purdue tacked on another run in the top of the seventh as Peterson launched a home run over the fence in right center. Falzon walked, but was then caught stealing. Messer drew a two-out walk, but was left stranded by a ground ball to the pitcher.
The Flames tied it up on back-to-back home runs by Nikki Shephard and Nicole Robinson in the bottom of the seventh, prompting a Purdue pitching change. Sophomore Brooke Baker got the next batter to ground out before Liz Jacoby and Michelle Miller singled. The next batter then grounded into a double play to send the game to extra innings.
Absher was placed on second base to start the eighth inning due to the international tie-breaker rule. Hillsey sacrificed her over to third, then junior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) drove her in with a sacrifice fly to right. Sophomore DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) followed with a single to right and Fortune walked, but a strikeout kept the team from adding to its lead.
Joyce Cathey was put on second for UIC. She was joined on base by Cameron Astiazaran, who walked. Brittany Dixon loaded the bases with a bunt single. Sara Hernandez tied the game with a single up the middle, which scored Cathey. Shephard then singled to left to drive in the game-winning run for the Flames.
Purdue scored three runs on six hits, led by a 2-for-2 performance by Peterson and a 2-for-3 day by Hillsey. Johnson and Falzon supplied the other hits for the team. UIC managed four runs on 10 hits en route to the tournament title.
Mercedes Lavato garnered the victory for the Flames, tossing 4.1 innings, including the deciding eighth inning. Sophomore Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) was saddled with the loss for Purdue after throwing one inning of relief. Junior Diana LaRiva struck out four in the opening six innings of the contest.
Purdue finishes the Wolfpack Challenge with a 4-1 record and a runner-up finish. Hillsey, LaRiva and Baker were named to the all-tournament team for their respective performances.
The Boilermakers (18-12) return to action at noon on Saturday, March 26, when they play their home-opening doubleheader with Detroit.