March 30, 2005
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball team used key two-out hits and a strong effort in the field to down Ball State 5-1 on Wednesday. Senior Andrea Hillsey and junior Staci Falzon posted a pair of hits each to lead the Purdue offense. Junior Diana LaRiva struck out six in the win, while sophomore Brooke Baker picked up the save. The Boilermakers return to action on Sunday when they face Michigan State in their conference opener.
Junior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) tallied the game's first hit with a one-out double in the opening stanza. Sophomore DaQueta Johnson joined her on base with a two-out walk. Johnson then stole second before a strikeout left both runners stranded.
Ball State put its first runner aboard in the bottom of the third as Cortney Patteson sent a one-out single into right field. A strike out and fly out kept the Cardinals from taking advantage of the base runner.
Purdue broke onto the scoreboard with one run on a hit, a walk and a fielder's choice in the fourth. Senior Andrea Hillsey (White Lake, Mich.) drew a lead-off walk, then moved to second on a fielder's choice by Johnson. Junior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) sacrificed the runners into scoring position, setting up an RBI opportunity for sophomore Erika Peterson. The catcher delivered with a single to left to drive in Hillsey from third. A pair of ground outs ended the inning.
The Cardinals threatened in the bottom of the inning, but were unable to score. Alyssa Huffman led off with an infield single, then moved to second on a one-out walk by Katie Pilger. A fly ball to right and a strike out left both stranded.
The Boilermakers padded their lead with three runs on two hits and two errors in the fifth. Senior Shelli Messer (Greenfield, Ind.) reached on an error by the third baseman to start the rally. Falzon followed with a single up the middle. Hillsey then sent an RBI single up the middle and moved to second on the throw home, driving in Messer from second and scooting Falzon over to third. Johnson scored Falzon with a sacrifice fly to center field. Hillsey crossed the plate as Lilley reached on a fielding error by the shortstop. A pop up ended the scoring barrage.
Ball State ended Purdue's shutout effort with a single run in the fifth. Taylor Yancey doubled to left center, then Quincy Duran drove her in with a triple into deep center field.
Purdue tacked on another run in the seventh with a two-out rally. Hillsey hit a two-out double into left center, then Johnson followed with a single to short right field to pick up the RBI. A ground ball wrapped up the inning.
The Cardinals loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh. Sarah McGregor picked up a lead-off walk, then Yancey singled through the right side. A fielder's choice put Duran aboard, but McGregor was called out for interfering with the shortstop who was fielding the ball. Amanda Pick singled to load the bases, but the next batter grounded out to the pitcher to end the game.
Hillsey and Falzon each tallied two hits, as Purdue scored five runs on six hits. Ball State managed one run on six hits, while committing two errors in the contest.
Junior Diana LaRiva (Tustin, Calif.) struck out six in the winning effort, while sophomore Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) picked up the save after striking out two in just over two innings of relief. Amy Brownfield (4-3) was saddled with the loss for Ball State.
"I thought our team was solid today," head coach Carol Bruggeman said. "Once again pitching and defense really had a strong performance. I thought we had some key two-out hits from the top of our lineup. That really was the diff in the game. We are looking forward to conference action on Sunday."
Purdue (21-12) returns to the field on Sunday for its conference opening doubleheader against Michigan State.