Feb. 17, 2006
LAS VEGAS - A sixth-inning rally gave BYU a 5-2 win over the Boilermaker softball team on Friday afternoon. The offensive output snapped a 2-2 tie.
The Boilermakers put a runner in scoring position in the second as junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) singled through the right side and pinch runner Kelly Miller (Indianpolis, Ind.) advanced on an Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) sacrifice. A pair of pop ups left her stranded.
The Cougars loaded the bases in the third on a trio of full-count walks, but senior pitcher Diana LaRiva (Tustin, Calif.) worked out of the jam, striking out the next batter swinging.
Purdue registered its third home run of the day as Johnson launched a two-run shot in the fourth inning. Johnson's long ball sailed over the center field fence, driving in senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio), who reached on a single to short.
BYU answered with a long ball of its own to start off the bottom of the inning. Tracee Hoch hit a lead-off home run to center field to put the Cougars on the board. BYU added tied the score two batters later when Emi Snow hit a one-out solo home run to center. A pair of ground balls got Purdue out of the inning.
The Boilermakers put two runners on in the fifth as senior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) drew a two-out walk and sophomore Ashley Hall (Noblesville, Ind.) reached on a bunt single, but could not score. A fielder's choice saw Falzon out at third to keep the game tied at 2-2.
The Cougars had an RBI opportunity in the bottom of the inning with runners at first and second with two outs, but Falzon lasered a throw in from center to get the lead runner out at the plate.
Lilley led off the sixth with a chopper into left, then moved to second on a sacrifice by Johnson. A pop up and a grounder to first kept Purdue from scoring.
BYU broke the tie in the sixth with two on and two out. A fielder's choice and an infield single combined with a throwing error put runners at second on third for the Cougars. Neta Le'i launched a home run over the left field fence to make it 5-2. A ground ball to first ended the inning with two runners left on.
The Boilermakers put a runner on with two outs in the seventh as Falzon singled to short, but a strikeout prevent a come-back effort.
BYU scored five runs on eight hits, while Purdue registered two runs on seven hits. Falzon, Lilley and Johnson each posted two hits for the Boilermakers.
Junior Brooke Baker (1-3) was saddled with the loss after tossing two innings of relief. Dani Urincho earned the win for BYU.
The Boilermakers return to action at 6:45 p.m. (EST) when they take on No. 4 Tennessee.