April 26, 2006
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Boilermaker softball team salvaged its trip north with a 7-4 win in the night cap of Wednesday's doubleheader with Notre Dame. Junior Erika Peterson launched a three-run home run in the sixth to seal the victory, while sophomore Melissa Burns handled the Irish batters in a relief effort.
The Boilermakers wasted no time jumping onto the scoreboard in the night cap, posting two runs on two hits in the opening stanza. Senior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) drew a lead-off walk then went to third on a sacrifice and a stolen base. She was joined on base by senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio), who was hit by a pitch, before stealing second. Junior DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) drove in both with a double to right center. A single to right by senior Becky Stone (Belleville, Ill.) bumped Johnson to third with one out, but Purdue could not add to its lead.
Notre Dame threatened in the home half of the first, but the Boilermaker defense held strong keeping the Irish off the scoreboard.
The Fighting Irish got one run back in the second on a trio of hits. A Sarah Smith infield single with runners at second and third put UND on the board, before the next batter lined into a double play to end the inning.
Purdue added a couple of insurance runs in the fifth. Freshman Kelly Miller (Indianapolis, Ind.) drew a one-out walk, then went to second on a ground ball. Miller took off with home plate in her sights as sophomore Tiffany Krcelich (Granger, Ind.) legged out an infield single. Miller slid past the waiting catcher to make it 3-1. Lilley then doubled off the left center wall to plate Krcelich from first, before a ground out ended the rally.
Notre Dame scored one run on two hits with two outs in the fifth. Sara Schoonaert singled then scored on a double to left center by Mallorie Lenn. A ground ball to third base kept the Irish from plating Lenn.
Junior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) broke the game open for the Boilermakers with a three-run home run in the sixth. Peterson battled through an 11-pitch at-bat, sending the final pitch sailing over the right field fence. The long ball scored Stone and sophomore Catherine Zaworski (Prospect Heights, Ill.), who both singled and moved into scoring position.
The Irish would no go away quietly, loading the bases with one out on a pair of singles and an error. A sacrifice fly by Meagan Ruthrauff added a run for Notre Dame, before a walk filled the bases again. The next batter was hit by a pitch, driving in another run, but the Boilermakers sealed the victory with a ground out.
Purdue scored seven runs on eight hits and one Irish error. Lilley and Stone each posted two hits in the contest, while Notre Dame managed four runs on eight hits.
Sophomore Melissa Burns (Miami, Fla.) earned the victory after striking out three in five and two thirds innings of relief work, while Brittney Bargar was charged with the complete-game loss.
The Boilermakers return to action at noon on Sunday when they take on Minnesota in Minneapolis.