DePaul University Athletics
Softball Takes Game One at Oklahoma
5/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
NORMAN, Okla. -- No. 14 seed DePaul (45-11) defeated No. 3 seed Oklahoma (55-7), 3-0, in the opening game of the Norman Super Regional on Saturday afternoon behind a dominating performance from senior Tracie Adix and timely hitting.
The Blue Demons are now one win away from the program's fourth trip to the Women's College World Series. DePaul and Oklahoma will play Game 2 at Noon. Game 3 would be played at 2 p.m. if necessary. Every game of the series will be televised by ESPN.
Adix (20-2) allowed just three hits, walked one and struck out three batters as she improved to 20-2 on the season and extended DePaul's scoreless innings streak to 27. The Blue Demons have yet to allow a run in four NCAA Tournament games this season.
DePaul got on the board first as it plated a single run in the sixth inning on a run scoring triple by left fielder Kate Sheaks. Sheaks drove home Amber Patton, who led the inning off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice.
Oklahoma's Lauren Eckermann (27-4) appeared to be battling out of another jam as she worked ahead in the count on Sheaks before giving up the triple on a 3-2 pitch. Eckermann allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base in four of the seven innings.
DePaul added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh when Sandy Vojik drilled a 0-1 pitch over the left field fence. The two run home run was her 12th of the season.
Oklahoma's most serious threat of the game came in the bottom of the third as Traci Dickenson recorded a two-out single and Norrelle Dickson followed with a double, putting runners in scoring position for Mariee Mena. Mena's dribbler to the pitcher was bobbled by Adix, before she recorded the ground out on a close play at first.
Notes: Today's game marked the first time during the 2007 NCAA postseason tournament that DePaul has allowed an opposing runner to reach third base... today's DePaul victory was Oklahoma's second loss at home this season... DePaul improves to a perfect 3-0 in NCAA Super Regional play... Blue Demons pitchers Tracie Adix and Becca Heteniak have thrown 27.0 scoreless during the NCAA Tournament this year.
