DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Advance to Regional Championship
5/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
MADISON, Wis. - The DePaul softball team advanced the NCAA Regional final with a 4-0 victory over Wisconsin-Green Bay on Saturday afternoon at the Goodman Diamond. The Blue Demons face Oregon State at 11 a.m. on Sunday for the regional championship.
DePaul sophomore starter Megan Huitink threw her 10th shut out of the season Saturday afternoon. The sophomore gave up just two hits and fanned 10 UW-Green Bay batters on her way to her 19th victory this season.
The Blue Demons jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Left fielder Dana Kenney led off the game with a walk and advanced to second on right fielder Ashley Parker's single to the left side. Both runners advanced on Sandy Vojik's sacrifice bunt and Kenney scored on Saskia Roberson's ground out to second.
UW-Green Bay's Ali Rostkowski halted Huitink's perfect game in the top of the fifth by singling up the middle. Rostkowski moved to third on Katie Grosheks' single to shallow center field. Huitink walked the next batter to load the bases, but struck out pinch hitter Cori Thiermann to end the Phoenix scoring threat and the inning.
The Blue Demons posted three runs in the seventh frame. Roberson started the DePaul scoring sending her 15th home run of the season over the left field fence. Sophomore center fielder Linda Secka reached on a bunt single and scored on designated player Kate Sheaks home run to left center.
Lisa Meissner (9-7) registered the loss for the Phoenix.
DePaul advances to the Regional Final for the first time since 2002. They won the final in 1999 and 2000 to advance to the College World Series.
The winner of Sunday's game will advance to super regional competition for a best-of-three series May 27-28 (Memorial Day Weekend) at eight campus sites. The winner of the Madison regional will play the winner of the South Bend regional.
Demon Notes
- Sandy Vojik extended her hitting streak to six games with a single to the left side in the fourth inning.
- Saskia Roberson's two RBI ties a Conference USA record for career RBI at 175.
- Kate Sheaks home run was her third of the season and fourth of her career.
- Megan Huitink threw her tenth shutout of the season, her 10 strikeouts was the fourth time this season she reached double-digit strikeout totals.
