Feb. 19, 2006
LAS VEGAS - The Boilermaker softball team wrapped up its time at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic with a 14-5 win over Wright State on Sunday. The game featured 17 Boilermaker hits, second-most in program history, including six for extra bases.
Wright State put three runners on in the opening stanza, but the Purdue defense kept them off the scoreboard.
Purdue put two runs on two hits and an error in the top of the second. Senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) was hit by a pitch to start the inning, then advanced to third as junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) reached on an errant throw by the pitcher. Senior Becky Stone (Belleville, Ill.) picked up the RBI with a single up the middle, which scored Lilley and moved Johnson to second. A sacrifice advanced both runners into scoring position. Sophomore Tiffany Krcelich (Granger, Ind.) added another run with a two-out single to left. A fly ball ended the rally.
The Boilermakers tacked on two more runs in the third on three hits and an error. Sophomore Ashley Hall (Noblesville, Ind.) led off with a bunt single and advanced to second on an errant throw by the pitcher. She then stole third before scoring on a double to right center by Lilley. Johnson followed with a double to right to drive in Lilley. A pair of pop ups left pinch runner Christina Trauger (Santa Rosa, Calif.) stranded.
The Raiders got on the board in the bottom of the inning as Amanda Cody sent a three-run home run over the left field wall, driving in two runners who had walked. The next batter singled to right, prompting junior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) to come in to pitch in relief. Baker got the next batter to line into a double play. Jacqueline Macy then doubled to right then scored on a pair of defensive miscues. A line drive to the pitcher ended the stanza.
Purdue got one run back in the fourth. Senior Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.) singled through the left side to start the inning. Pinch runner Catherine Zaworski (Prospect Heights, Ill.) advanced to second on a sacrifice, then stole third and advanced home on the play as the third baseman misfielded the throw from the catcher. Senior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) walked, then Hall singled to right, before the duo pulled off a double steal to put runners at second and third. A caught foul ball and a pop up kept the Boilermakers from adding more runs.
The Boilermakers combined four hits for three run in the fifth. Junior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) posted a two-out single to left, then Schell followed with a ground rule double to left. Both runners scored the following play as Krcelich doubled to left. Falzon singled through the left side to score Krcelich, who had advanced to third on a wild pitch. Falzon was caught stealing to end the inning.
Three more Purdue runs came in the sixth on two base hits and a home run. Hall led off with a single to left, then moved to third on a sacrifice by freshman Katie Mitchell (Crown Point, Ind.). A single to right by Lilley drove her in. Johnson then launched a two-run shot over the right field fence to make it 11-4. A pair of ground outs brought the Raiders to the plate.
WSU managed a run on two errors and a walk in the bottom of the inning. Bridgette Henry drew a one-out walk, then pinch runner Carly Rutherford moved to second on a grounder. Rutherford scored after a fielding error by the shortstop and a throwing error by the third baseman on a run down play.
The Boilermakers continued their offensive barrage in the seventh as Schell led off with a solo home run over the left field wall. Krcelich followed with a single to second base, then advanced to second on an errant throw by the pitcher on a fielder's choice. A sacrifice moved both runners into scoring position. A single to center by Lilley scored both to make it 14-5, before a grounder ended the stanza.
The Raiders managed a single in the bottom of the seventh, but could not score.
Purdue scored 14 runs on 17 hits, including four three-hit performances. Krcelich went 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs, while Schell, Hall and Lilley each went 3-for-4. Wright State scored five runs on six hits.
Baker (2-4) earned the victory for Purdue after striking out two and allowing just three hits in five innings of relief. Cody (0-3) was charged with the loss for the Raiders.
The Boilermakers return to action on Friday, when they take on Northern Iowa at the Bradley Invitational in Peoria, Ill.