April 13, 2006
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A rescheduled game with the Valparaiso Crusaders did not turn out the way the Boilermaker softball team would have hoped as VU left West Lafayette with a 2-0 victory. Purdue looks to rebound in weekend series against Illinois and No. 17 Northwestern.
Each team put two runners on in the opening three innings, but could not score. Seniors Becky Stone (Belleville, Ill.) and Kristen Schell (San Diego Calif.) doubled in the first and third, but were left stranded. The Crusaders put a runner in scoring position in the second on an error and a sacrifice but could not score.
Valparaiso scored first with a run on two hits in the fourth. Taylor Callahan reached on a one-out single. A ground out advanced her to second, before a single up the middle by Beth Adamski brought her home. A looking strikeout ended the inning.
Junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) doubled off the center field wall to lead off the fifth, prompting a pitching change for the Crusaders. Pinch runner Christina Trauger (Santa Rosa, Calif.) was sacrificed over to third. A fly out kept her there, before Schell drew the intentional walk to put runners at the corners with two outs. A pop up into shallow center field left both stranded.
The Crusaders added another run in the sixth on a hit by pitch, a single and three stolen bases. Alicia Ashburn was hit then moved to second on a single by Callahan. She then stole third, before the pair pulled off a double steal to plate the run.
The Boilermakers put a runner on in the seventh to keep hope alive as senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) was hit by a pitch to start the stanza. A sacrifice moved her to second, but a pick off and a pop up gave VU the win.
Purdue managed three hits in the game, while Valparaiso scored two runs on four hits.
Chris Halstead (5-4) earned the win for the Crusaders, while Andrea Zappia was credited with the save after pitching three innings of relief. Junior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) was charged with the loss after allowing the game's first run in the fourth. Senior Diana LaRiva (Tustin, Calif.) tossed the first two innings for the Boilermakers, before being relieved by Baker. Sophomore Melissa Burns (Miami, Fla.) finished the game for Purdue.
The Boilermakers (25-22) return to action at 6 p.m. Friday when they take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in Game 1 of that weekend series.