CHICAGO- The Blue Demon softball team continues with its tough schedule at the KIA Klassic in Fullerton, California at the Titan Softball Complex, March 18-21. DePaul enters pool play with No. 10 Louisiana- Lafayette, Cal State Fullerton, and the U.S. Softball Olympic Team. The Blue Demons open the tournament on Thursday, March 18 against Louisiana-Lafayette. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. (CST).
The Kia Klassic is widely regarded as one of the premier mid-season tournaments in the country. The 16-team field includes seven teams in this weeks USA Today/NFCA Top 25 and the USA Olympic Team. The tournament features No. 7 Oklahoma, No. 9 Washington, No. 10 Louisiana-Lafayette, No. 13 Pacific, No. 15 Fresno State, No. 20 Nebraska, No. 23 Arizona State, UNLV, Florida State, Princeton, Texas A&M, Illinois and Arizona.
The tournament features four pools of four teams. Results from pool play will seed a 16-team single elimination bracket, with the champion crowned on Sunday afternoon, March 21, at 12:00 (CST). Bracket play will begin Friday March 19, at 7:00 p.m. (CST)
DePaul (3-10) opens the tournament with No. 10 Louisiana-Lafayette, Thursday, March 18 at 3:00 (CST). The Ragin’ Cajuns are 25-3 and 5-1 in there last six games. Louisiana is led by Holly Tankersley. Tankersley has blasted nine home runs and recorded 20 RBI this season. This is the first meeting for both teams.
The Blue Demons close out Thursday, March 18 with the U.S. Olympic Team in front of a sold out crowd at the Titan Softball Complex. The U.S. Olympic team is currently touring and playing the nations best college teams. The team, 21-0 this season and is carrying a 136 pre-Olympic game winning streak.
DePaul will close out pool play against tournament host Cal State Fullerton (7-16) on Friday, March 19 at 5:00 p.m. This is the fifth meeting for the two teams with the series tied at two apiece. Each of the five contests, have been decided by two or less runs with Cal State Fullerton winning the last match 5-4. The Titans are led by Julie Watson who is batting a blistering .481 and has recorded 33 hits.
DePaul won its pool last year, before Mother Nature interfered, and the tournament was cancelled. For score updates visit the KIA Klassic Tournament Site
