March 30, 2007

Final Stats

West Lafayette, Ind. - Illinois entered Friday's game leading the Big Ten in batting and ranking near the top in nearly offensive category. On the first night of the Big Ten season, however, Purdue had the offensive firepower in an 8-1 victory over the Illini in West Lafayette.

Illinois started the game well, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. Makenzie Smith doubled home Shanna Diller giving the Illini a 1-0 lead. Purdue, however, countered with three runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead for good, and Illinois managed just three hits the rest of the game.

Purdue's Katie Mitchell was 4-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI. Kelsey Haupert with 2-for-4. Her three-run double in the bottom of the first made it 3-1 Boilers.

Illinois' Makenzie Smith made a dive catch in the bottom of the third to save a run and give the Illini hope going into the fourth, but the Illini couldn't take advantage of back-to-back singles in that inning.

Purdue opened up the lead with five runs in the bottom of the fourth. Home runs from Jenna Alexander and Mitchell and a triple by Ashley Hall were the big blows.

Illinois moves to 21-13 while Purdue improves to 18-21-1 overall. The two teams square off in the series finale Saturday at 11 a.m.CDT.