April 23, 2006
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball team was unable to overcome the hot bats of Wisconsin en route to a 6-2 setback in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader. Purdue looks to rebound in the nightcap of the twin bill which is slated to begin at 2:30 p.m.
Wisconsin plated one run on a hit, a walk and a sacrifice in the opening stanza. Samantha Polito drew a lead-off walk, then went to second on a sacrifice before scoring on a Joey Daniels double to left center.
The Boilermakers combined three hits and an error for two runs in the second. Senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) led off with a single through the left side, then went to third as junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) reached on an error by the first baseman. Pinch runner Christina Trauger (Santa Rosa, Calif.) stole second putting two runners in scoring position for junior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.), who made good on the RBI opportunity with a double to right center. Senior Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.) also doubled in the inning, but pinch runner Kelly Miller (Indianapolis, Ind.) was left stranded.
The Badgers regained the lead in the third on a bases-loaded two-run double by Alexis Garcia, then added three more runs on three hits and two errors in the fifth. A single to left plate the first run, then two more scored as Kaitlin Reiss reached on an error by the first baseman.
Purdue stranded a runner at second in the fifth after a hit and a sacrifice. The team also posted two-out singles in the sixth and seventh but could not convert.
The Boilermakers scored two runs on six hits, including two each by Lilley and Schell, while Wisconsin managed six runs on 11 hits and two Purdue miscues.
Eden Brock (15-9) earned the complete-game win for the Badgers, while junior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) was charged with the loss despite striking out three in the contest.
Purdue looks to split the series with a win in Game 2 of the doubleheader, which is slated to begin at 2:30 p.m.