April 22, 2006
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball team scored first and last in Saturday's game with Iowa, but could not manage a victory. The Hawkeyes won the game 3-2, despite a sixth inning rally by Purdue. The Boilermakers look to rebound against Wisconsin in a Sunday doubleheader.
The Boilermakers drew first blood, with run on two hits in the top of the second. Junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) drew a lead off walk. Pinch runner Christina Trauger (Santa Rosa, Calif.) went to second on a sacrifice by junior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.), before scoring on a single to the right center gap by senior Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.). Pinch runner Kelli Miller (Indianapolis, Ind.) went to third on a single to right center by freshman Katie Mitchell (Crown Point, Ind.), but was unable to score in the inning.
The Hawkeyes tied the scored with a run on two hits in the bottom of the inning. Summer Downs led off with a single. Pinch runner Rachel West went to third on a sacrifice and ground ball before scoring on a single up the middle by Sami Baugh.
Iowa added two more runs in the fourth on a home run by Kylie Murray.
Purdue tallied one run on one hit in the sixth, while also stranding three. Senior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) led off with a walk and went to third on a sacrifice and a fly ball. Senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) joined her on base after being hit by a pitch. With runners at the corners, Johnson singled to left to drive in Falzon. Peterson walked to fill the bases, but a fly ball to left ended the rally.
The Boilermakers could not get a base runner in the seventh sealing the Iowa sweep.
Purdue scored two runs on three hits, while the Hawkeyes managed three runs on seven hits. Brittany Weil (22-10) earned the win for Iowa, while sophomore Melissa Burns (Miami, Fla.) was saddled with the loss for the Boilermakers, despite striking out three in the complete-game effort.
The Boilermakers look to shake off the loss in a noon doubleheader with Wisconsin on Sunday.