Softball Advances to Semifinals

DePaul 1, Southern Miss 0

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 2 seeded DePaul Blue Demons advanced to the Conference USA semifinals with a 1-0 win over No. 6 seeded Southern Miss on Thursday afternoon at the USF Softball Complex. The win improves the Blue Demons to 38-18 on the season, while the Gold Eagles fall to 29-31.

Starter Megan Huitink (17-10) started the Blue Demons off well in the top of the first inning, striking out the first and the last batter.  Huitink finished the afternoon with five strikeouts and gave up just two hits reroute to her seventh shutout of the season.

Freshman Sandy Vojik got the Blue Demons offense going in the fourth inning, advancing Jenny Doezie to third on a single to the right side.  DePaul had runners on second and third but were unable to convert as junior catcher Sara Polensky was called out on strikes and pinch hitter Kate Sheaks grounded out to the pitcher.

DePaul posted the games’ only run in the fifth inning on a double steal.  With two-outs the Blue Demons capitalized on two Southern Miss errors that placed senior right fielder Ashley Parker on third and sophomore Linda Secka on first.  Secka took off for second which got the attention of Southern Miss catcher Allison Bullard who threw down to second allowing Parker to score from third.

The Blue Demon defense retired the Golden Eagles last six batters in the sixth and seventh innings to hold on to their 1-0 lead to win the ball game.

DePaul advances to the semifinals and will play the winner of the Louisville/USF game Friday at 3:00 p.m. (CST).

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