Feb. 25, 2006
PEKIN, Ill. - It took extra innings, but the Purdue offense exploded with a school-record tying 18 hits, including seven in the eighth stanza, to register an 11-3 come-from-behind win over Western Illinois on Saturday.
Senior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) started things off for the Purdue offense with a ground-rule double to lead off the game. She then advanced to third on a grounder to second base, but was caught trying to steal home the following play. A strikeout wrapped up the inning.
The Westerwinds scored first, utilizing a triple and a sacrifice fly to jump onto the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. Jennifer Garcia put a one-out triple into deep left center, then came around on an Elysha Swider sacrifice fly to left. A pop up to short brought the Boilermakers to the plate.
Purdue put two on with two outs in the second, but were unable to manufacture any runs. Junior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) singled to short, then moved to second on a single up the middle by senior Becky Stone (Belleville, Ill.). A deep fly ball to center kept the Boilermakers off the scoreboard.
WIU added two runs in the second on a hit and two Boilermaker miscues. Erin Zeller sent a two-out single up the middle, then advanced to third on an error by the right fielder, which put Lindsey Hession aboard. Hession stole second and moved to third on an errant throw home by the shortstop, while Zeller scored from third. Britt Mason walked, then attempted to steal second, getting caught in a rundown as Hession crossed the plate to make it 3-0.
The Boilermakers got one run back in the third on three hits and an error. Falzon singled through the left side, then moved to second on a bunt single by sophomore Ashley Hall (Noblesville, Ind.). A fielder's choice put freshman Katie Mitchell (Crown Point, Ind.) on base as Falzon was out at third on the play. Senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) hit a bloop single to short left field, driving in Hall. Lilley then advanced to second on an error by the left fielder, but a fly ball left her stranded.
Sophomore Tiffany Krcelich (Granger, Ind.) led off the fifth with a single to the pitcher, then moved to third on a sacrifice by Falzon and an errant throw by the second baseman, before scoring on a wild pitch. Hall reached on a bunt single, but a strikeout and fly out left her on base.
A seventh-inning squeeze bunt by senior Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.) tied the score at 3-3. The bunt scored Krcelich, who singled to left then advanced to third on a sacrifice and a base hit by Hall. A fly ball left Hall aboard.
Western Illinois loaded the bases in the seventh, but stout defense by the Boilermakers kept them off the scoreboard and sent the game to extra frames. Junior pitcher Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) entered the game with the game tied at three and a runner on second, but was able to pitch her way out of the inning.
Purdue blew the game open in the eighth inning, scoring eight runs on seven hits and two WIU miscues. Lilley was placed on second base to begin the eighth inning due to the international tie breaker rule. She advanced to third and scored on a sacrifice bunt attempt by junior Catherine Zaworski (Prospect Heights, Ill.). Zaworski reached on an errant throw by the third baseman and advanced to second on the play. Zaworski went to third on a sacrifice by Peterson, then scored on a single up the right line by Stone. A single to left by senior Lauren Devich (Bloomington, Ind.) pushed pinch runner Kelly Miller (Indianapolis, Ind.) to second. A single through the left side by Krcelich drove in both runners. Krcelich then scored as Falzon launched a two-run shot over the fence in right center. Hall reached on a bunt single and advanced to second on an errant throw by the third baseman. Mitchell singled through the left side to score Hall and moved to second on the throw home. Lilley pushed Mitchell to third with a single to left. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, allowing Mitchell to score, making it 11-3 Boilermakers. Another wild pitch moved Lilley to third. Courtney Jacobson came in to pitch for WIU and got the next to batters to ground out and pop up to end the rally.
Eight different batters combined for Purdue's record hit output led by Hall's 4-for-5 day at the plate. Falzon and Krcliech each went 3-for-3, while Stone was 3-for-4. Lilley accounted for two hits in the contest. Western Illinois scored three runs on seven hits.
The record hit output tied two previous efforts by Boilermaker squads. The team tallied 18 hits against Belmont on March 14, 1998 and against Ohio State on April 14, 1999. Purdue won both of those contests in regulation.
Baker (4-4) earned the victory after tossing two innings of relief for the Boilermakers. Baker allowed just one hit and struck out three to close out the game. Christine Drankiewicz was charged with the loss for WIU.
The Boilermakers (7-5) return to action at 4:30 p.m. when they take on Northern Iowa to wrap up the round-robin portion of the tournament.