March 20, 2004
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Sophomore Diana LaRiva tossed her second career no-hitter Saturday afternoon, as the Purdue softball team shutout Utah State 4-0. The Boilermaker offense scored four runs on 11 hits to back up LaRiva's no-no. The team, moved to 17-9 on the year and 3-1 in Capital Classic action, wraps up its spring break trip with a 9 a.m. (PST) contest with Tennessee State.
"My pitches weren't working their best, but I just worked with what I did have and it got the batters good enough," LaRiva said. "There also were plenty of pop ups and the outfielders took care of those just fine. I was just thinking about my pitches. I didn't even have a clue that it was a no-hitter until the announcer said so."
Purdue put runners in scoring position in the top of the second on a pair of singles by junior Andrea Hillsey and sophomore Staci Falzon, but couldn't manage a run. Hillsey posted a two-out single up the middle, then stole second, before Falzon's single to left moved her to third. A ground ball kept the team from scoring.
The Boilermakers got on the board in the top of the fourth as Hillsey launched her first home run of the season, a solo shot to left center field with two outs. Falzon followed with a bloop single into right field, but a ground out ended the rally.
Purdue used a pair of singles in the sixth to add another run to its tally. Sophomore Tricia Lilley led off with a single through the left side, then moved to second on an Erika Peterson sacrifice bunt. Redshirt sophomore Kristen Schell then sent a single up the middle to bring Lilley in to score. A fielder's choice and line out to the pitcher capped the inning.
The Boilermakers scored a pair of insurance runs in the seventh on a trio of hits. Sophomore Lauren Devich started the rally with a pinch hit double up the third base line, then advanced on a botched fielder's choice by Katie Absher. Lilley then tapped a two-out double off the fence in center field, scoring both runners. Peterson was hit by a pitch, then Schell singled to left loading the bases. A deep fly ball to center left the runners stranded.
Utah State had one last chance in the bottom of the inning, but went down 1-2-3 on a pair of fly balls and a strike out. LaRiva had struck out nine batters and had one out to go, when she got Casey Smith to fly out to Falzon in left field to seal the no-no. LaRiva allowed just three walks in the outing.
Purdue scored four runs on 11 hits, while Hillsey, Lilley, Schell and Falzon each tallied a pair of hits. Leslie Higley picked up the loss for the Aggies, pitching six and two thirds innings.
"It is just really fun when we get to have a no-hitter," head coach Carol Bruggeman said. "Diana had a really good day today. She kept the hitters off balance and had nine strike outs, which made it really easy on our defense. Our defense played really well behind her; every time they did put the ball in play, we made the play. I am very happy for Diana, she has just been a really solid performer for us all year.
Offensively, it was good to see Hillsey get on track; she really had a nice game. It was good to see her get her first home run of the year. We left a lot of runners on base, but we had some timely hitting which allowed us to get the win. It was a good day today and it was nice to get two wins. I am looking forward to ending spring break on a positive note tomorrow with another win."
The Boilermakers return to action at 9 a.m. (PST) when they take on Tennessee State.