DePaul University Athletics
Softball Splits with Illinois
4/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
DePaul 11, Illinois 3 (6 innings)
Illinois 6, DePaul 4
CHICAGO– DePaul used two home runs from freshman Jackie Tarulli-Fisher in the first game as DePaul rolled past
The opener was all Tarulli-Fisher as she hit two home runs and drove in six as DePaul (19-12)cruised behind freshman pitcher Stephanie Blagaich who scattered five hits and struck out two to earn her seventh victory of the season.
Tarulli-Fisher's gave the Blue Demons a 1-0 advantage in the second inning, sending her first home run of the day soaring over the left center field fence.
The Illini answered in the top of the third, scoring three runs on three hits and capitalizing on two DePaul errors. Rachelle Coriddi, Shanna Diller and Kacey Coonce were all credited with hits.
DePaul cut the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom half of the third when freshman Amber Patton crossed the plate on an error at shortstop.
Sophomore Marcy Wilus started the Blue Demon scoring in the bottom of the fifth, connecting on a RBI single up the middle. Junior Kate followed with a double to the left side and Tarulli-Fisher sent a single to the opposite side of the field to plate the final two runs of the inning.
The Blue Demons tacked on six runs and were fueled by Tarulli-Fisher's three-run bomb to left center. Sheaks and Wilus were also credited with RBI during the inning; Wilus walked with the bases loaded and Sheaks connected on a two-run shot to right field.
Claire DeVreese was tabbed with the loss in game one.
In game two DePaul took a 4-2 lead into the final frame but the Illini (17-23) stunned DePaul with four runs to post the 6-4 victory.
Aggressive base running netted the Blue Demons lone run of the second inning and they added three more runs in the fourth inning to take a 4-0 advantage into the final two frames.
Blagaich started the fourth with a bang, knocking her second collegiate home to give the Blue Demons a 2-0 advantage. Senior Sara Bandauski connected on a RBI single and sophomore Sandy Vojik finished the Blue Demon scoring with a sacrifice fly to right field.
The Illini chipped away at DePaul's four run advantage, platting two runs sixth and four in the final frame. Diller's two-run home run sealed the
Tracie Adix (5-3) registered the loss for the Blue Demons, throwing a complete game and gave up 12 hits while fanning five.
DeVreese was credited (13-12) was credited with the win, throwing the final 4.0 innings. Coonce got the start.
DePaul will return to BIG EAST action Thursday afternoon at Notre Dame. ESPNU will broadcast the first game of the scheduled doubleheader at 3:00 p.m. (CST). Beth Mowins will provide the play-by-play and Stacey Nuveman will provide the color commentary.
