Softball Hits the Road

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CHICAGO– The DePaul softball team travels to Louisville and Tampa this weekend to take on two of the BIG EAST's best teams, in Louisville and USF.  The Blue Demons play a doubleheader with the Cardinals at 3:00 p.m. (CST) on Friday and take on the Bulls on Sunday beginning at 11:00 a.m. (CST).

The Blue Demons (27-15, 9-5 BIG EAST) enter the weekend fifth in the conference standings behind top-ranked Notre Dame (32-14, 13-1) USF (41-20, 11-1), Louisville (31-8, 9-3) and Syracuse (31-19, 12-6).  The Irish and Bulls are the only teams to clinch a spot in the conference tournament but a sweep this weekend would punch the Blue Demons ticket to the league's tournament.  Notre Dame, DePaul's travel partner, will face USF on Saturday and Louisville on Sunday.

The Blue Demons head into the weekend on a seven-game winning streak and have not lost a conference series since dropping a doubleheader in Notre Dame on April 13.  DePaul has seven players batting over .300 during the streak and is led by sophomore Sandy Vojik, who is batting .417 and notched four RBI. Junior Linda Secka and sophomore Marcy Wilus lead the Blue Demons with  seven and five RBI, respectively over the last seven games.

Friday's game in Louisville marks the first time the Blue Demons have faced a ranked opponent since March 27 when they played 8th ranked Oregon State.  No. 21/22 Louisville has won seven of their last 10 games, however seven of their eight losses have been in their home stadium.  Lacy Wood leads the Cardinal with a .403 batting average and 33 RBI.  In the circle, Catherine Bishop has a league best 0.72 ERA and has given up just 16 earned runs in 155.1 innings.

USF has a pair of pitchers, Cristi Ecks and Bree Spence that are also vying for the top-ERA stop in the conference.  Ecks leads the Bulls and is ranked second in the conference with a 1.02 ERA while Spence follows with a 1.12 ERA for the third best league ERA.

DePaul, Louisville and USF are in their first season of  competition in the BIG EAST, all were previous members of Conference USA.

Facts on File

DePaul

Record: 27-15, 9-5 BIG EAST

Head Coach: Eugene Lenti  (25th season)

In the Polls: NR/RV

 

Louisville

Record: 31-8, 9-3 BIG EAST

Head Coach: Sandy Pearsall

In the Polls: 21/22

Series: 18-11

Last Meeting: 5/15/2005; W, 6-2

Second-seeded DePaul captured its fourth consecutive Conference USA Softball Tournament title with a 6-2 victory over top-seeded Louisville. The Blue Demons used a four-run fifth inning to take their first lead of the game and sophomore Megan Huitink, who was named Tournament MVP, held Louisville scoreless in three innings of relief to earn her second win of the tournament.

 

USF

Record: 41-20, 11-1 BIG EAST

Head Coach: Ken Eriksen

In the Polls: NR/RV

Series: 21-8

Last Meeting: 5/1/2005; W, 6-3

DePaul plated five runs in the seventh inning to come from behind and defeat USF 6-3.  The Blue Demons found themselves trailing 3-1 heading into the seventh inning, but the USF defense and pitching crumbled allowing five runs on two errors, three walks, two wild pitches and one DePaul hit. 

Preseason BIG EAST Favorites

BIG EAST newcomer DePaul has been selected as the preseason favorite to capture the 2006 BIG EAST softball regular season title as voted on by the league’s 12 head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own teams.

The Blue Demons earned eight first-place votes en route to being tabbed as the preseason favorite. DePaul joins the conference following a 2005 campaign in which the Blue Demons captured the Conference USA Tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Division I Women’s College World Series before falling to, eventual national champion Michigan and Alabama in the double-elimination tournament. Notre Dame finished second in the preseason poll with conference newcomers USF and Louisville, tabbed to finish third and fourth, respectively.

The 2006 BIG EAST Championship game on May 13 will be aired live from South Bend, Ind. by CSTV. First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m. ET.

TV Time

The Blue Demons are scheduled to be on television twice during the 2006 season.  Thursday’s game against Notre Dame will be televised nationally on ESPNU with Beth Mowins and Stacey Nueveman calling the action.  DePaul will also be on local television in Louisville when the face the Cardinals on April 28.

Doubling it up into “FIRST”

DePaul is ranked first in the nation in turning double plays.  The Blue Demons are averaging .62 double plays per game and have turned 26 this season.

Sacrificing Patton

Freshman Amber Patton is ranked seventh in the country by averaging .41 sacrifice hits per game.  Patton's 17 sacrifice hits this season leads the BIG EAST.  

 

Streaking Demons

Freshman Amber Patton leads the Blue Demons with a .397 batting average and had season long eight game hitting streak that began on April 1 versus Providence and ended at Syracuse on April 9.  During the streak the freshman registered 13 hits, and three RBI.  Sandy Vojik and Stephanie Blagaich each notched five game hitting streaks earlier this season.

Shutout Stephanie

Freshman hurler Stephanie Blagaich has thrown three consecutive shutouts heading into this weekend competition.  Blagaich has give up just nine hits in 19 innings pitched.

In their 20's

Five Blue Demons have surpassed the 20 RBI mark this season.  Marcy Wilus lead the Blue Demons with 27 RBI, while Kate Sheaks (24), Sandy Vojik (23), Jackie Tarulli-Fisher (22) and Linda Secka (21) have also reached the 20+ mark.

Hits=RBI

Jackie Tarulli-Fisher has 22 RBI on 29 hits this season.  The freshman is tied for fourth on the squad with 22 RBI. 

Slamin’ Sandy

Sophomore Sandy Vojik recorded her first collegiate grand slam against Ball State; sending her second home run of the season over the left field fence.  The sophomore finished the game with a career high 6-RBI on two hits. 

Two-Timing Tarulli

Freshman catcher Jackie Tarulli-Fisher is the only Blue Demon this season to hit two home runs in a game.  The freshman’s two home runs at Valparaiso (game 2) on April 4 and versus Illinois (game 1) April 12.  The freshman recorded a Blue Demon season-high nine total bases versus Illinois. Tarulli-Fisher is also the only Blue Demon to notch two RBI in one game.  The freshman notched a pair of doubles against Loyola.

Vojik + Tarulli-Fisher= 6x2

Sandy Vojik and Jackie Tarulli-Fisher hold the season high for RBI in a game.  Vojik registered six against Ball State and Tarulli-Fisher notched six versus Illinois.

No April Fools for Blagaich

Freshman Stephanie Blagaich threw her first collegiate shutout against Providence on April 1. The freshman hurler gave up just three hits and two walks on her way to her first shutout.  Blagaich was named to the BIG EAST honor roll after her shut out performance as she combined for two wins and a .500 batting average in DePaul’s opening weekend of BIG EAST play.

 

Walk-Off Wilus

Marcy Wilus’ seventh inning two-run homerun propelled the Blue Demons to a 5-4 victory over UConn at Cacciatore Stadium., April  2.

Familiar Face, Different Place

Junior Kate Sheaks entered the circle for the first time since her freshman season, Sunday, April 2 against Connecticut.  The junior threw a scoreless inning and allowed just one hit and gave up one walk.

Adix BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week

Junior Tracie Adix was awarded the BIG EAST Conference’s inaugural Pitcher of the Week honor for the week of February 12-19.  The junior boasted a perfect 0.00 ERA during the week and notched two at the GRU Florida Tournament in Gainesville, Florida. Adix allowed only a pair of hits in DePaul’s 3-0 win over Longwood and 1-0 win over Penn State.

No Singles at Stetson

The Blue Demons combined for six extra base hits during the Stetson Tournament.  Linda Secka, Jessica Evans, and Marcy Wilus all notched doubles, while Amundson and Wilus each blasted triples and Sandy Vojik smashed her first homerun of the season. 

Freshman Starters

Freshman Amber Patton and Stephanie Blagaich each started their first collegiate game on February 10 against Charleston Southern.  The freshman were in the Blue Demons inaugural 2006 line-up.

Combining for Zero

Tracie Adix and Leslie Scott combined for the Blue Demons first shut out of the season versus Northern Iowa. Adix threw  six innings, and gave up just one hit while fanning four batters.  Scott threw the final inning, allowing just one hit and struck out two.

Freshman Fire

Freshman third baseman, Amber Patton has started her career in a Blue Demon uniform on fire, leading the team with a .350 batting average.  Patton recorded her first collegiate hit and RBI against Charleston Southern.  Freshman catcher, Jackie Tarulli-Fisher is also making some noise registering a team high three RBI against Akron and five total RBI at the Oregon Tournament.

Oregon Tournament

DePaul returned to the west coast for the second time in March, and participated in the Oregon Tournament, where they split a double-header with BYU, defeated Akron and registered losses against No. 8 Oregon State and Oregon. Sophomore first baseman Marcy Wilus led the Blue Demons with a .429 batting average and .857 slugging percentage. Freshman catcher Jackie Tarulli-Fisher was crowned the weekend’s RBI queen after tallying five over fours days and registered her first collegiate home run against Akron.  Junior Megan Huitink threw two complete games, giving up just three run and three walks. 

DePaul at the Fresno St. Tournament

The Blue Demons participated in the Fresno State Tournament March 9-12th.  DePaul finished 2-3, defeating Central Florida and Ball State, but fell to No. 8 Oregon State, No. 15 Washington and No. 25 Fresno State.  Junior Jessica Evans was named to the All-Tournament team after yielding a perfect fielding percentage and registered two RBI on three hits.  Freshman Amber Patton led DePaul’s offense at the Classic recording a team high .385 batting average (5 for 3) and two RBI.  Adix finished the tournament with a team low  2.80 ERA, throwing 15 innings giving up 21 hits while fanning 10 batters. 

Blue Demons Crowned GRU Florida Tournament Champions

The DePaul softball team was crowned the GRU Florida Tournament Champions after finishing the weekend 4-1, defeating Longwood, Florida and Penn State twice, but fell to No. 1 Michigan.  The Blue Demon offense was led by sophomore Sandy Vojik, freshman Stephanie Blagaich and junior Kate Sheaks; who combined for .380 batting average, a double and five RBI.  Vojik led the squad with a .400 batting average and was perfect at the plate (4-4) against Florida.  Blagaich’s three RBI and Sheaks two RBI propelled the Blue Demons to their four victories. Junior pitcher Tracie Adix stayed perfect in the circle as she gave up no earned runs and just six hits in 14.1 innings.  Adix threw two complete games to notch victories over Longwood and Penn State, while junior Megan Huitink took the wins over Florida and the first Penn State victory. 

Stetson Tournament Highlights

Blue Demons claimed second place, registering wins over Charleston Southern and wins Northern Iowa (twice)... freshman Amber Patton led DePaul with five hits and .500 batting average, while junior centerfielder Linda Secka led the team with five RBI on the weekend.  Junior Kara Amundson recorded her first collegiate triple against Charleston Southern. The pitching staff combined for a 0.52 ERA and gave up just two earned runs in 27.0 innings. Junior pitcher Tracie Adix and senior Leslie Scott combined for a 5-0 shutout over Northern Iowa. Junior Megan Huitink struck out 13 batters.

DePaul University Athletics

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