May 18, 2008
Final Stats
Purdue vs. Cal State Fullerton Photo Gallery
LOS ANGELES - Behind a solid pitching performance from junior pitcher Dana Alcocer and four runs batted in for Candace Curtis, Purdue defeated Cal State Fullerton 4-2 in the Boilermakers second game of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.
Purdue will play Nevada at approximately 12:45 a.m. ET.
Alcocer improved to 19-13 on the season while Titan pitcher Jessica Doucette suffered the loss and fell to 13-13 on the year.
The Boilermakers threatened the Titans early in the game. In the top of the second, sophomore Jenna Alexander doubled to right center and sophomore Katie Mitchell followed with a single to left. However, the Boilermakers could not capitalize and stranded the runners at first and second.
Purdue threatened again in the third when Miller reached on an error and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Sophomore Kelsey Haupert then singled to center, sending Miller home. However, a successful block of the plate by Cal State's Lauren Lupinetti prevented Miller from scoring and kept the game scoreless.
The fourth inning saw junior Katie Mitchell put a charge into a Doucette offering deep to center, but Titan centerfielder Jenna Wheeler made the catch at the wall.
However, the Boilermakers broke through in the fifth. With two outs, Hall reached on a fielder's choice and was followed by Miller who attempted to reach on a bunt. An errant throw to first by Lupinetti sent Hall to third and Miller to second. Junior Candace Curtis followed with a single to left that scored Hall and Miller and gave Purdue a 2-0 lead.
Meanwhile, Alcocer dominated Cal State hitters. After hitting Titan leadoff hitter Katie Gollhardt, Alcocer retired the next 15 batters, striking out five and taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning before a bunt single by Wheeler.
That's when Alcocer and Purdue ran into trouble. After a bunt single by Wheeler broke up Alcocer's no-hitter, she hit Titan second baseman Courtney Martinez. Alcocer walked K.C. Craddick to load the bases, then surrendered a double to Kiki Munoz, which plated two runs and tied the score.
In the final frame, Purdue responded with two runs, the third and fourth runs batted in for Curtis. Hall reached on a single and Miller once again reached on a fielder's choice. Hall and Miller advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Curtis single to center.
Alcocer finished off Cal State in the bottom of the seventh, but not without a scare. Sheila Holguin lead off the inning with a double to left center, then with one out then moved to third on a passed ball. A single by Martinez scored Holguin, but a double play by Gollhardt finished off Purdue's first NCAA Tournament victory.