April 14, 2006
URBANA, Ill. - The Purdue softball team scored first in its Friday night contest against Illinois, but the Illini plated five runs in the third inning to take the win. The teams will face off again at 1 p.m. eastern on Saturday.
Senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) put the Boilermakers on the scoreboard with a two-out double to right center in the opening stanza. Lilley's hit drove in sophomore Tiffany Krcelich (Granger, Ind.) who was on second after posting a single to short and advancing on a sacrifice. A ground out left one stranded.
The Illini put runners at the corners with two outs in the bottom of the inning, but a fielder's choice kept them from scoring.
Krcelich singled again in the third and moved to second on a ground out, but was left stranded by a ground ball to third base.
Illinois scored five runs on three hits and two errors in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases twice with no outs. A double by Angelena Mexicano scored two. A fielding error by the second baseman allowed two more, before a double by Molly Lawhead plated the final run of the inning. Senior Diana LaRiva (Tustin, Calif.) entered the game in relief and struck out one before fielding a grounder and a line out to get out of the inning.
The Boilermakers threatened in the fourth putting runners at the corners with two outs, but could not score. Junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) drew a lead off walk, then pinch runner stole second and went to third on a single up the middle by senior Kristen Schell. A fielder's choice the following play left both on base.
Purdue put two on in the fifth, but again came up empty.
A lightning sighting caused a 30-minute rain delay with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. A walk and a ground out followed the delay to end the inning.
The Boilermakers went down in order to end the game.
Purdue scored one run on six hits, including two by Krcelich, while Illinois scored five runs on five hits.
Claire DeVreese earned the complete game victory for the Illini, while junior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) was charged with the loss.
The teams will face off again at noon Saturday.