LaRiva struck out six of the 16 Mastodons she faced and her defense did the rest with perfect fielding. The Boilermaker offense put up 10 hits in the game including a 2-for-3 performance by freshman designated player Staci Falzon, who ended the game in the fifth with a two-run triple to the center field wall.
Purdue kicked off the game with a four-run first inning, scoring on three hits and an IPFW error. Senior Jesse Jones got the Boilermakers on the board with a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Andrea Roush, who singled, stole second and advanced to third on an error by the second baseman. Sophomore Shelli Messer then walked on four straight pitches with the bases loaded, driving in Andrea Hillsey, who had also received a free pass from pitcher Mindy Pomeroy. Designated player Staci Falzon tacked on two more with a double to center field, scoring Lauren Devich, who had singled, and Heidi Foster, who reached on the error.
The Boilermakers upped their lead to 6-0 when Hillsey homered to left center, scoring Angi Roembke, who singled and stole second. The next two innings were relatively quiet, but Purdue closed the door in the bottom of the fifth on the Falzon triple. The three-bagger scored pinch runner Cheryl Buerlger and Messer. Buergler was running for Devich, who reached on an errant throw by the shortstop, and Messer climbed aboard with a single to center.
Falzon led the Purdue bats, going 2 for 3 with four RBI, posting a two-run double in the first and a two-run triple in the fifth. Hillsey went 2 for 2 with a single, a home run and a walk, as well as two RBI and two runs scored.
"It was a great team performance," head coach Carol Bruggeman said. "I am very proud of Diana, throwing her first career no-hitter. She was one walk away from a perfect game."
The game was the first of a doubleheader, which was originally scheduled to be played in Fort Wayne, but was moved due to snow and ice.
"We appreciate our support staff for making the change in one day. Everyone worked together to make these games happen. We would not have played today if we would have had to go up to Fort Wayne."