DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Tops Valparaiso in Game One
4/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
CHICAGO DePaul starter Lauren Frankiewicz allowed just one hit in the Blue Demons' 6-2 victory over Valparaiso, Thursday at Cacciatore Stadium. The Blue Demons improve to 21-10, while Valpo falls to 17-10 on the season.
Ranked No. 18/25 the Blue Demons used nine hits in the win, with junior infielder Amber Patton leading the charge. Patton went 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI and scored a run. Frankiewicz and Jackie Tarulli-Fisher also finished with two RBI.
Valpo struck first as a lead off walk to Karen Korb came back to haunt Frankiewicz. Once on base Korb stole second and third, and scored on Shannon Robinson’s fielder’s choice that was placed perfectly down the third base line and allowed Korb score the first run of the ballgame.
The Blue Demons wasted no time tying the game in the bottom half of the first. Sandy Vojik led off with a single to center and came around to score on Patton’s RBI single to left center. DePaul would leave Patton stranded on the base path as Valparaiso starter Andrea Zappia retired the Blue Demons next three batters.
DePaul added two runs in the third on Frankiewicz’s bases loaded two-RBI single to left center.
The Blue Demon bats continued to produce in the fourth inning as they tacked on three runs on four hits. Patton was credited with her second RBI of the afternoon on a single to left and Tarulli-Fisher followed suit and knocked a two-RBI single in the same direction.
Valpo got a run back in the fifth frame when Frankiewicz threw a wild pitch, which allowed Mallory Gill to score from third.
Frankiewicz (8-3) struck out seven in six innings of work before Lindsey Dean entered in the seventh to finish the game. Frankiewicz walked two and both runs were earned.
Zappia (9-4) took the loss, she struck out five and walked three.
The Blue Demons play the second half of the twin bill later this evening.
