Feb. 26, 2006
PEKIN, Ill. - A first-inning miscue and missed opportunities on offense left the Purdue softball team on the short end of a 1-0 decision with Bradley in the championship game of the Bradley Invitational on Sunday. The Boilermakers (8-5) return to action on Friday at the Worth Invitational in Fullerton, Calif.
The Boilermakers loaded the bases to no avail in the opening stanza. Senior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) led off with a single to the shortstop, but was out the following play as sophomore Ashley Hall (Noblesville, Ind.) reached on a fielder's choice. Senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) pushed Hall to third with a ground-rule double to center field. Senior Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.) walked to fill the bases, but a strikeout kept Purdue from scoring.
The Braves scored in the bottom of the inning as Christine Cooney tripled to left and scored on a fielding error by the shortstop. A pair of strike outs ended the inning.
Junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) sent a two-out single through the left side in the third inning and moved to second on a passed ball, before being joined on base by Schell, who walked. A ground ball left both stranded.
The Boilermakers had another chance to score in the sixth, but could not convert. Junior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) posted a ground-rule double with one out in the inning. Pinch runner Christina Trauger (Santa Rosa, Calif.) moved to third on a sacrifice, but was left stranded by a strikeout.
Sophomore Tiffany Krcelich (Granger, Ind.) led off the seventh inning with a single to short, but was out the following play as Falzon reached on a fielder's choice. She was then caught stealing before a pop up to short ended the game.
Purdue posted five hits in the game, while Bradley scored one run on three hits and a Boilermaker error.
Junior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) was saddled with the loss despite striking out seven batters in the complete game effort. Brittany Dehler earned the win for the Braves.
Baker, Falzon and Krcelich were named to the 13 member all-tournament team.
The Boilermakers return to action on Friday, when they take on Oregon State at 11:15 a.m. (PST) at the Worth Invitational in Fullerton, Calif.