University of Minnesota Athletics
Purdue Tops Minnesota Softball 2-1 in 10 innings
4/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Minnesota stranded 14 runners in the ball game including in the first inning with the bases loaded. The Golden Gophers broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, Lindsey Erickson hit a ground ball to third baseman Shelli Messer. Her throw to first was dropped by Kristin Schell which allowed Christina Zimmerman to score from third.
Senior Piper Marten held Purdue scoreless until the sixth inning. With runners on first and second, Lauren Devich singled down the left field line with two outs to score Lauren Knight from second.
The game remained tied through regulation until the bottom of the 10th inning. After Marten struck out the first two batters, Falzon connected on a 2-0 pitch and hit the ball over the center field wall for the game-winner. It was Falzon's third home run of the season.
Marten fell to 17-8 on the season after allowing two runs on eight hits. She registered seven strikeouts with no walks.
Purdue's Brooke Baker allowed an unearned run on seven hits in 8.1 innings. She struck out eight and walked six. She was relieved by Diana LaRiva who earned the win after pitching 1.2 shutout innings.
Freshman Megan Higginbotham went 2-for-5 on the day for Minnesota and increased her team-leading batting average to .386.
