May 7, 2006
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Indiana Hoosiers spoiled the Purdue softball team's senior day festivities on Sunday, topping the Boilermakers 5-2 and stealing away the eighth spot in the Big Ten Tournament. The Boilermakers wrap up the season with a 30-30 mark, including a 7-12 conference record.
The Hoosiers scored a run on a walk, a stolen base and an error in the opening stanza. Jennilee Huddleston reached on a fielding error by the second baseman, allowing Julia Hamilton to score from second.
Senior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) was hit by a pitch and stole second, before being left stranded in the first. Senior Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.) was hit by a pitch to start the second inning, then junior Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) reached on a bunt single, but Purdue couldn't muster a run.
Indiana added three runs on two hits in the fifth, with a bases loaded walk and a single to left doing the damage.
Purdue broke onto the scoreboard with two runs on two hits in the sixth. Lilley sent a two-out single into left field, then junior DaQueta Johnson followed with a two-run home run over the left field wall.
IU answered as Jennilee Huddleston led off the seventh with a solo home run.
The Boilermakers put two on in the bottom of the inning as senior Becky Stone (Belleville, Ill.) sent a one-out single up the middle. Freshman Katie Mitchell followed with a bloop single through the right side, but two strikeouts left the pair stranded and sealed the Hoosier win.
Purdue scored two runs on five hits, while Indiana posted five runs on six hits and an error.
Mariangee Bogado (19-8) went the distance for the Hoosiers, while junior Brooke Baker (Schererville, Ind.) was charged with the loss for the Boilermakers, despite striking out three in the complete game effort.
The contest marked the final game for six Purdue seniors: second baseman Lauren Devich (Bloomington, Ind.), left fielder Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.), pitcher Diana LaRiva (Tustin, Calif.), shortstop Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio), designated player Kristen Schell (San Diego, Calif.) and first baseman Becky Stone (Belleville, Ill.)
The Boilermakers finish the season with a 30-30 record, including a ninth-place finish in the Big Ten.