March 13, 2005
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Purdue softball team wrapped up the Speedline Invitational with a 2-1 win over Central Florida that featured two monster hits by senior Andrea Hillsey and five no-hit innings by junior Diana LaRiva. The Boilermakers will have a few days off from competition before returning to the field against Akron on Friday at the Wolfpack Challenge in Raleigh, N.C.
Purdue jumped out to the early lead as senior Andrea Hillsey (White Lake, Mich.) sent a two-out solo shot over the fence in left center in the opening stanza. Junior Tricia Lilley (North Canton, Ohio) followed with a single into short left field, but was left stranded.
UCF got a base runner in the second as Lindsay Enders drew a one-out walk. A foul ball and a looking strikeout kept her from making her way around the base paths.
The Knights put another runner on board in the third as Brytanni Lindheim reached on an error by the right fielder. Another strikeout kept her from scoring.
A two-out triple by Hillsey put another tally on the scoreboard for Purdue in the sixth inning. Senior Shelli Messer (Greenfield, Ind.) reached on a one-out walk, then moved to second on a sacrifice before scoring on Hillsey's hit that rolled into the right field corner. A ground ball stranded Hillsey at third.
UCF ended junior Diana LaRiva's quest for a no-hitter with a trio of hits in the sixth. Lindheim sent a one-out double into deep right field to start the rally, and moved to third on the relay throw. Cici Alvarez followed with a single into short center, ending the shutout. Stephanie Best then singled to left, putting runners on first and second. A fielder's choice and a looking strikeout kept the Knights from scoring again.
Sophomore Katie Fortune (Kingwood, Texas) drew a two-out walk in the top of the seventh, but a ground ball stranded pinch runner Jamie Dum (Indianapolis, Ind.).
The Knights put runners on in the bottom of the inning, but the Purdue defense held them scoreless to earn the win. An error by the third baseman put Crystle Krafft on first. Jania Shinhoster then tallied a bunt single on a sacrifice attempt, advancing Krafft, who was then throw out trying to reach third on the play. A fielder's choice saw Shinhoster out at second, then a pop up to the shortstop sealed the Purdue victory.
"Andrea Hillsey proved she is an All-American today," head coach Carol Bruggeman said. "She made every big play. I also thought both of our pitchers were in complete command. Diana threw a no-hitter through five innings and Mel came and shut them down to get the save. This is a big win for us. UCF is a good team. This is a nice way to end the tournament."
Hillsey went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and one run, while Lilley supplied the team's third hit. UCF managed one run on four hits and two Purdue miscues.
Junior Diana LaRiva (Tustin, Calif.) threw five no-hit innings en route to the win, while freshman Melissa Burns (Miami, Fla.) earned the save after 1.2 innings of relief. The duo struck out a combined seven batters in the effort. Lindsay Enders (8-9) was saddled with the loss for the Knights.
The Boilermakers return to action at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 19 against Akron at the Wolfpack Challenge.