March 11, 2006
CLEARWATER, Fla. - A pair of five run innings helped lift Purdue over the Illinois Fighting Illini in the first round of bracket play at the USF/Adidas Invitational on Saturday. The Boilermakers won the game 11-7 after overcoming a 4-0 deficit.
The Illini scored four runs on four hits in the bottom of the first. Illinois combined a trio of singles up the middle for a run, then drew a bases-loaded two-out walk for another. A double to left center by Molly Lawhead drove in two more runs, before a ground ball to the pitcher wrapped up the inning.
The Boilermakers put a runner in scoring position in the second as senior Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.) drew a one-out walk. Pinch runner Kelly Miller (Indianapolis, Ind.) moved to second on a sacrifice, but a grounder to the second baseman kept Purdue from converting on the RBI opportunity.
A pair of ground outs spoiled Illinois' bid for another run in the second, nullifying a pair of runners in scoring position.
Purdue took the lead with five runs on three hits and two Illinois errors in the third. The Boilermakers loaded the bases with a walk, an error and a bloop single. UI pitcher Kacey Coonce then walked senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) with one out to drive in sophomore Tiffany Krcelich (Granger, Ind.), who reached on an error by the pitcher. Purdue found continued success at the plate against relief pitcher Claire DeVreese, as junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) sent a single into short right field to plate senior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.), who singled and sophomore Ashley Hall (Noblesville, Ind.), who reached on the fielder's choice. Pinch runner Christina Trauger (Santa Rosa, Calif.) stole second, allowing Lilley to score from third on an errant throw by the catcher. Schell picked up another RBI with a single up the middle which scored Trauger from second. A ground ball to the third basemen ended the rally.
The Boilermakers tacked on five more runs on four hits and two errors in the fourth. A bases loaded fielder's choice put Hall aboard as junior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) slid under the tag at home. Krcelich also scored on the play as the shortstop's throw sailed past the catcher. Falzon scored on a single to third base by Lilley. Hall scored from third as she and Lilley pulled off a double steal. A double up the middle by Johnson plated Lilley to make it 10-0, before the next batter grounded into a double play to end the inning.
The Illini loaded the bases to no avail in the bottom of the inning.
A walk, an error, a ground out and a passed ball gave Purdue another run in the fifth. A passed ball plated Peterson, who walked and rounded the bases on an error by the catcher and a ground out to third.
A single and two walks juiced the bases for the Boilermakers again in the sixth, but the team could not convert the runners into runs on the scoreboard.
Kisten Martin gave Illinois its first score since the opening stanza with a pinch hit home run to lead off the bottom of the sixth. A two-out single to right center put runners at first and third, setting up an RBI pinch hit single by Makenzie Smith. A fielding error by the shortstop allowed another run and put runners at the corners again, before a caught foul ball got Purdue out of the inning with an 11-7 lead.
The Illini would not go down quietly, as they registered a two-out single up the middle in the seventh, before a caught foul ball sealed the Boilermaker win.
Purdue scored 11 runs on nine hits, led by two-hit efforts by Falzon, Lilley and Johnson. Illinois posted seven runs on 11 hits.
Junior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ill.) celebrated her birthday with a complete game victory, including two strikeouts. Kacey Coonce was saddled with the loss for the Illini.
The Boilermakers return to action at 9:30 a.m. when they take on Hofstra in the second round of bracket play.