March 17, 2006
TAMPA, Fla. - The Purdue softball team capitalized on Ohio miscues en route to a 4-1 win over the Bobcats at the Speedline Invitational on Friday. The Boilermakers tallied their four runs on four hits and five Ohio errors.
The Bobcats scored first with an unearned run on one hit in the second inning. An errant throw by the pitcher on a sacrifice attempt sailed over the head of the first baseman allowing Emily Futscher to score from second after reaching on a fielder's choice.
The Boilermakers responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. Senior Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.) drew a lead-off walk. Pinch runner Kelly Miller (Indianapolis, Ind.) rounded the bases on a fielding error by the second baseman and a sacrifice, before scoring on a squeeze bunt by senior Lauren Devich (Bloomington, Ind.). A ground out left a runner stranded at third.
Ohio threatened in the third, but a double play and a strikeout kept them off the scoreboard.
Purdue put two runners in scoring position in the third, but could not manufacture a run. Senior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) led off with a single up the middle then advanced to third on a wild pitch and a single through the left side by senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio). Lilley then stole second, but a pair of ground balls to third base kept the score tied 1-1.
The Boilermakers took the lead in the fifth as junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) laid down a squeeze bunt with bases loaded and one out. The bunt scored sophomore Tiffany Krcelich (Granger, Ind.) who walked, then advanced to third on a sacrifice and a fielder's choice.
A trio of errors and a pair of fielder's choices gave Purdue two more runs in the sixth. Senior Becky Stone reached on a fielding error by the shortstop. Pinch runner Christina Trauger (Santa Rosa, Calif.) advanced to third on a sacrifice and a wild pitch, before scoring as Devich reached on a fielder's choice. Another error by the shortstop and a fielder's choice put Krcelich and Falzon aboard. The duo pulled off a double steal to move both into scoring position for sophomore Ashley Hall (Granger, Ind.). Hall reached on another error by the shortstop, plating Krcelich from third. A fly ball finally ended the stanza.
The Bobcats tallied a pair of one-out hits to keep hope alive in the seventh, but a pair of fielder's choice plays sealed the Purdue win.
The Boilermakers scored four runs on four hits and five OU errors. Falzon and Lilley each posted two hits in the contest. Ohio managed one run on five hits and two Purdue miscues.
Junior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) moved to 9-7 on the season with the complete game victory, while Michelle Sauter was saddled with the loss for the Bobcats.
Purdue continues action at the Speedline Invitational with a 1:30 p.m. contest against the host USF Bulls.