Feb. 24, 2006
PEKIN, Ill. - The Boilermaker softball team used a six-run seventh inning to break open Friday night's contest with IUPUI at the Bradley Invitational. Purdue won the game 8-3 behind the late offensive barrage, while junior Brooke Baker struck out eight in a complete-game effort.
Sophomore Ashley Hall (Noblesville, Ind.) gave Purdue a base runner in the opening stanza as she reached on an error by the third baseman. She then stole second and advanced to third on a ground out. A ground ball to the second baseman left her stranded.
The Jaguars strung together a pair of one-out hits in the bottom of the inning to break onto the scoreboard. Whitnie Darvell singled to short, then stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw by the catcher. A singled up the middle by pitcher Devan Craig scored the run. Craig moved to third on a double to right center, but both runners were left on base after a pair of swinging strikeouts.
Purdue tallied its first hit of the game as sophomore Tiffany Krcelich (Granger, Ind.) posted a one-out infield single. She moved to second on a ground ball to short, but was caught stealing to end the inning.
IUPUI threatened in the third, loading the bases on a one-out single and two walks, but was unable to score. A fielder's choice saw the lead runner out at the plate, before a looking strikeout got Purdue out of the jam.
The Boilermakers evened the score with a run on three hits in the fourth. Hall got things started with a single to short, then advanced to second on a single up the middle by freshman Katie Mitchell (Crown Point, Ind.), but was called out trying to move to third on the play. Mitchell advanced to second on the throw to third. A ground ball to second base pushed Mitchell to third. Senior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) picked up the RBI with a single up the left field line. A grounder to third left Falzon on base.
Purdue posted a pair of two-out hits in the fifth as Krcliech singled and advanced to third on a double up the left field line by senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio). A strikeout left both runners on.
The Jaguars loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the inning, but a grounder to the pitcher kept them off the scoreboard.
The Boilermakers took their first lead of the night with a single run on three hits in the sixth. Junior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) delivered the RBI with runners at second and third with two outs. Peterson's single to second base drove in Mitchell, who led off the inning with a single to short right and moved to third on a single by Falzon and a sacrifice. Falzon advanced to third on Peterson's hit, but was out in a run down between third and home to end the inning.
IUPUI put up two runs in the sixth to retake the lead. Jenna Crockett posted a lead-off single, then moved to second as Darvell walked. A wild pitch put both runners in scoring position for Craig, who reached on a fielding error by the first baseman to make it 3-2 Jaguars.
The Old Gold and Black found their bats in the top of the seventh, with six runs on six hits an error. Senior Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.) started the inning with a single up the middle. Pinch runner Christina Trauger (Santa Rosa, Calif.) advanced to third on a Krcelich single and a fielding error by the first baseman which put Lilley aboard. Hall chopped a bases-loaded single over the head of the pitcher to drive in Trauger. Mitchell chopped another hit up the middle to push Krcelich across the plate. Falzon laid down the squeeze bunt, scoring Lilley on the fielder's choice. Senior Becky Stone (Belleville, Ill.) bunted in another run as a short pop up went untouched, allowing Hall to score. Peterson drove in two more runs with a single up the left field line, as Mitchell as Falzon crossed the plate. A wild pitch moved Peterson and Stone into scoring position before a line out and ground out ended the rally.
"It was a great come back, a great seventh inning," head coach Kim Maher. "We still have things work. We can't wait until the seventh inning to score all of our runs against better competition."
The Jaguars drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the inning to keep hope alive, but a strike out and a grounder to short sealed the Purdue victory.
The Boilermakers tallied eight runs on 15 hits. Mitchell and Krcelich led the way with three hits each. Hall, Falzon and Peterson also posted multi-hit performances.
Junior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) earned the complete-game victory, striking out eight in the effort, and moving to 3-4 on the season. Craig was saddled with the loss for IUPUI.
The Boilermakers (6-5) return to action at 12:15 p.m. (EST) when they take on the Western Illinois Westerwinds (0-1).