April 15, 2006
URBANA, Ill. - Senior Staci Falzon topped off the Purdue softball team's 8-5 come-from-behind win over Illinois with a three-run walk-off home run in the 10th inning.
"Before the game there was a vibe around our team that they were going to find a way to win, regardless of if we were up five or down five early on," head coach Kim Maher said. "After yesterday's let down, losing a game we knew we should have won, you could feel it today. It was a team win. Everyone contributed. It is great game to walk away from and think back on if we are ever in the situation of being down runs again. We know we can do it regardless of the score."
Illinois loaded the bases in the opening stanza, but sophomore pitcher Melissa Burns (Miami, Fla.) issued three strikeouts to escape the inning unscathed.
Purdue tallied its first hit in the second inning on a two-out single to left center by senior Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.). Junior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) follow with a single to short right field, but a ground ball to the short stop kept the Boilermakers from scoring.
The Fighting Illini scored in the third with three runs on three hits. A double to left center by Angelena Mexicano plated one run, while Kisten Martin scored two with a bloop single to short left center. A strikeout and ground out left Martin stranded.
The Boilermakers answered with one run on two hits in the bottom of the inning. Senior Lauren Devich (Bloomington, Ind.) led off with a double to left center, then moved to second on a Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) single through the left side. A wild pitch by pitcher Claire DeVreese gave Purdue the run. A pair of fielder's choice plays and a ground out kept Purdue from plating more runs.
Peterson tied the game in the fourth with a single swing of the bat, sending a full-count pitch sailing over the center field wall. The home run drove in pinch runner Kelly Miller (Indianapolis, Ind.) from second base. Miller entered the game to run for Schell who singled to lead off the inning, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Devich also singled in the inning, but did not score.
Illinois took back the lead in the top of the fifth on a home run by Martin. Molly Lawhead followed with a triple off the left field wall, prompting a pitching change for the Boilermakers. Senior Diana LaRiva (Tustin, Calif.) entered the game with one out and the runner on third. She allowed a single, scoring another run, before forcing a strikeout and ground out to get out of the inning.
The Boilermakers decided to make a game of it in the seventh inning, putting two on with two outs. Senior Becky Stone (Belleville, Ill.) walked, then was joined on base by senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio), who singled up the middle. Junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) tied the game with a double into the left field corner. A ground out left her stranded sending the contest to extra innings.
Purdue put two on with two outs in the ninth as Stone and Lilley reached on singles, but a fielder's choice brought the Illini to the plate in the 10th.
Illinois put a runner at second with a walk and a sacrifice, but a strike out and a caught foul ball left her stranded.
Junior Catherine Zaworski (Prospect Heights, Ill.) doubled to short right field to start the bottom of the 10th for the Boilermakers. The Illini then intentionally walked Peterson to give Purdue two on with no outs. A sacrifice by freshman Candace Curtis (Danville, Calif.) moved both into scoring position. A fielder's choice saw Zaworski out at the plate, but pushed Peterson to third. Senior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) ended the game with a three-run walk off home run that hit the scoreboard in left center.
The Boilermakers tallied eight runs on 13 hits, including two by Lilley, Schell and Peterson. Illinois scored five runs on nine hits and one Purdue miscue.
LaRiva (10-9) earned the win after pitching five shutout innings of relief. Kacey Coonce (4-11) was charged with the loss after giving up the game winning home run in the 10th.
"We cleaned up our defense for the most part today and our pitchers did a good job," Maher said. "Mel did her job for as long as she could then Diana came in and did a great job in relief. Offensively, we hit the ball today. We had a lot good offensive games today. Schell, Stone Lilley each had two hits and Petey had her home run put us back in it.
"Some of our batters were a little ahead because of the speed of pitching and there were a lot of internal battles individually. It was good to see them finish game strong, especially Staci, being in a situation with lots of pressure and coming through. That just proves that past performances doesn't matter, you have to play in the moment."
The Boilermakers (26-23, 4-6 Big Ten) return to action in a 1 p.m. (eastern) Sunday doubleheader against No. 17 Northwestern in Evanston, Ill.