Feb. 18, 2005
LAFAYETTE, La. - The Boilermaker softball team moved to 5-1 on the season with a 5-0 victory over Mississippi Valley State in Game 2 of the Louisiana Classic on Friday. The Boilermakers posted five runs on 10 hits, while junior Diana LaRiva struck out eight in the complete game effort on the hill.
Purdue got on the board first with a single run in the first inning. Junior Staci Falzon (Carlsbad, Calif.) led-off with a single up the middle, then moved to second on sacrifice by senior Katie Absher (Puyallup, Wash.). A passed ball scooted Falzon to third, bringing up senior Andrea Hillsey (White Lake, Mich.), who grounded out to drive in the run. Sophomore DaQueta Johnson (Ontario, Calif.) followed with a double off the centerfield wall. Sophomore Katie Fortune (Kingwood, Texas) then joined her on base via walk and senior Shelli Messer (Greenfield, Ind.) washit by a pitch to load the bases. A ground ball, however, kept the Boilermakers from adding to their lead.
The Boilermakers put two runners on in the second, but couldn't convert. Sophomore Erika Peterson (Irvine, Calif.) was hit by pitcher Elizabeth Imbert to start the inning. A Becky Stone sacrifice moved her to second, opening first base for Absher, who then drew a two-out walk. A ground ball got MVSU out of the jam.
The Delta Devilettes got their first hit of the game on a double to left in the third inning, but Boilermaker hurler Diana LaRiva struck out the side to leave her stranded.
Purdue loaded the bases in the third, but again could not put runs on the scoreboard. Fortune drew a one-out walk, but pinch runner Ashley Hall (Noblesville, Ind.) was caught stealing to take away the base runner. Messer singled past the shortstop, then moved to second on a bunt single by junior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio). Peterson was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, but a looking strike out prevented any scoring.
Mississippi Valley State threatened in the fourth, loading the bases on two hits and a hit by pitch, but LaRiva forced a pop-out, a strike out and a ground ball to get out of the jam.
The Boilermakers found their offense in the bottom of the inning as MVSU put in relief pitcher Nicole Henderson. The team racked up four runs on three hits and two walks. Absher started things off by drawing the one-out walk. She then stole second and Hillsey reached base via walk. Johnson singled to center field, scoring Absher and pushing Hillsey to second. Hall then rocketed a single up the first baseline, driving in Hillsey and moving Johnson to third. Messer followed with a single up the middle, which scored Johnson. A ground out and strike out left Messer stranded and wrapped up the inning.
Purdue put two runners on in the sixth, before a double play brought up the Delta Devilettes one last time. Johnson posted her third hit of the game with a lead-off single up the middle. A fielder's choice put Hall on base, but saw pinch runner Jamie Dum out at second. Junior Lauren Devich (Bloomington, Ind.) then singled through the left side, before the double play ended the Boilermakers' offensive effort.
Johnson led the Purdue bats with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, while Messer was 2-for-2 with a walk. Seven Boilermakers posted hits in the effort as the team tallied 10 hits.
LaRiva (2-0) picked up the complete-game victory, striking out eight in the effort. Elizabeth Imbert (1-3) was charged with the loss after giving up one run in her three-inning starting performance.
Purdue (5-1) returns to action at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, when it takes on the host No. 5 Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns.