DePaul University Athletics
Home Runs Push Blue Demons Past UIC
5/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
CHICAGO - The No. 15/11 DePaul softball team used four home runs, including a grand slam by Jackie Tarulli-Fisher in its 9-2 victory over Illinois-Chicago on Tuesday at Cacciatore Stadium. The Blue Demons extended the nation's longest active winning streak to 20 games and improved to 36-7 on the season. UIC fell to 16-29.
Tarulli-Fisher gave one lucky fan a souvenir in the first inning by knocking her second career grand slam into the left field bleachers. Tarulli-Fisher's grand slam came after three of the first four batters were walked by UIC starter Chelsea Fuemmeler.
The Blue Demons capitalized on a dropped popup by UIC third baseman Mallory Studzinski to post two runs in the second inning. With two outs, Becca Heteniak popped up to Studzinski, but she was bumped by the Flames shortstop Brooke Frydendall, causing her to drop the ball. Jessica Evans and a speedy Shea Warren scored from second on the play.
DePaul's final three runs came on solo home runs by Linda Secka, Kara Amundson and Kate Sheaks. Secka's home run was in the third inning, Amundson's blast was in the fourth, and Sheaks followed in the fifth.
Both of UIC's runs came in the top of the fourth. Elizabeth Jacoby led off the inning with a triple to right field and Frydendell followed with a RBI single to left field. Two batters later, Frydendell crossed the plate.
Tracie Adix (15-1) threw a complete game for the Blue Demons. She scattered five hits and struck out four. Chelsea Fuemmeler (3-14) was charged with the loss for UIC. She walked seven and gave up eight hits.
DePaul travels to Loyola-Chicago for a 5 p.m. game on Wednesday before the team's showdown against No. 8 Northwestern on Thursday in Evanston. The Blue Demons' doubleheader with the Wildcats is slated to begin at 3 p.m.
