University of Minnesota Athletics
Softball Falls to Purdue 5-0 at National Invitational
3/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
- Box Score
The University of Minnesota softball team (11-10) was defeated by Purdue, 5-0, in the fifth-place game of the National Invitational in San Jose, Calif. The Golden Gophers will next face UC Davis in a doubleheader on Tuesday.
The Boilermakers scored three times in the third and added runs in the fourth and sixth. Minnesota didn't help its cause with three errors in the contest.
In the third inning after Purdue scored on a throwing error, Tricia Lilley delivered a two-run single to center. Lilley finished the game 2-for-4.
In the fourth, Staci Falzon led off with a double to left center off of reliever Mandy Valadez. After she was moved over to third on a sacrifice fly, she scored on a failed pickoff attempt from catcher Megan Higginbotham.
Purdue closed out the scoring with a run in the sixth as Falzon's single to center brought home Andrea Hillsey.
Minnesota left just one runner on base through the first six innings, but loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, reliever Diana LaRiva got Katie Meyer to ground out to third to end the game.
Purdue's Brooke Baker and LaRiva combined on the four-hit shutout. Minnesota starter Lyn Peyer and Valadez combined for 11 strikeouts.
Stephanie Sward finished off a strong tournament with a 1-for-3 effort to finish the tournament with seven hits in 16 at-bats.
