April 21, 2006
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Missed opportunities came back to bite the Boilermaker softball team in its Friday game with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Purdue left seven runners on base, including six in scoring position, en route to an 8-1 losing decision.
The Hawkeyes scored first with three runs on four hits in the opening stanza. With runners at first and second and two outs, Erin Riemersma tripled to center to score both. Kylie Murray followed with a double to left center, driving in Riemersma, before a pop up ended the inning.
The Boilermakers got one run back in the bottom of the inning, scoring one run on two hits. Senior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) started things off with a double to center. Senior Becky Stone (Belleville, Ill.) sacrificed her over to third, before senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) picked up the RBI with a double off the left center wall.
Iowa added two more runs in the third on three hits. Mindy Heidgerken led off with a triple to the left center gap, then scored as Summer Downs laid down bunt single that traveled just 10 feet down the first base line. Downs went to third as the Boilermakers caught pinch runner Rachel West in a run down between third and home on a double-steal attempt. A single to right by Murray brought her Downs in to score.
With runners at first and second with two outs in the third, junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) singled up the middle, but a diving save and a great throw home by the second baseman was able to get the lead runner at the plate to end the inning.
Purdue put a runner in scoring position in both the fourth and fifth innings but could not muster a run.
The Hawkeyes scored again in the sixth plating two runs on two hits and a Boilermaker fielding error. Sami Baugh was hit by a pitch to start the inning. She went to second on a sacrifice before scoring on a single by Stephanie Ackerson and a fielding error by the left fielder. Ackerson came home on a double to left by Heidgerken before a fly ball ended the inning.
Johnson lasered a single up the middle to lead off the home half of the sixth. Pinch runner Christina Trauger (Santa Rosa, Calif.) went to second on a sacrifice before a pop up left her stranded.
A walk and error and a hit gave Iowa its final run of the day. Riemersma drew a one-out walk. She then stole second and advanced to third on the play as the throw from the catcher was mishandled by the covering fielder. A single by Baugh drove in the run.
The Boilermakers went down in order in the seventh to seal the game.
Purdue scored one run on five hits, including two by Johnson, while Iowa managed eight runs on 11 hits and two Boilermaker miscues.
Brittany Weil (21-10) earned the complete-game victory for the Hawkeyes, while senior Diana LaRiva (Tustin, Calif.) was charged with the loss despite striking out five in a complete-game effort.
The Boilermakers look to settle the score with a win in Game 2 of the series with the Hawkeyes. First pitch of the game is slated for noon on Saturday.