DePaul University Athletics
Errors Cost DePaul Game Two
4/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
CHICAGO DePaul’s 22-game home winning streak came to a halt as Seton Hall took advantage of three errors to come from behind and take game two of the BIG EAST Conference doubleheader 4-3, Saturday at Cacciatore Stadium.
Blue Demon starter Becca Heteniak (10-5) gave her team a three-run cushion with one swing of the bat. The junior launched her sixth home run of the season over the right center field fence which allowed Lynsey Ciezki and Jackie Tarulli-Fisher to score.
Seton Hall (15-15-1, 5-5 BIG EAST) evened the score at three in the fifth. The Pirate’s lead off batter Nalin Bennett drew a walk and Michelle Reed reached on an error before Brittany Menichetti connected on a two-RBI double to the fence in right center to pull the Pirates within one. With Menichetti on third, Brittany Schillizzi knocked a RBI single up the middle to knot the game three.
The top of the seventh was dj vu for Seton Hall as its first batter walked and the second reached on a DePaul (18-8, 6-1 BIG EAST) throwing error. The Pirates third batter took an intentional walk which loaded bases with no outs.
DePaul’s defense buckled down and thwarted the Pirates scoring opportunity as Kristen Kaelin grounded into a double play. Kaelin knocked a shot at All-American third baseman Amber Paton, who fielded it cleanly and threw home to get the force out before Simone Ashkar fired the ball to first baseman Annie Demas to leave game the knotted at three with two outs and runners on second and third.
Heteniak, who walked six batters in her complete game performance, threw a wild pitch which allowed a sprinting Menichetti to score the eventual game winner.
The Blue Demons had their chance in the bottom half of the seventh. Marla Mathews led off with a single to left and Lauren Frankiewicz drew a walk before Tara Voss moved both runners into scoring position with a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt.
Running for Mathews, Shea Warren was 60 feet from home when Sean Plese hit into a fielder’s choice and a sliding Warren was called out at home. Seton Hall intentionally walked Patton, who leads the Blue Demons and the BIG EAST with a .484 average, which put the pressure on the freshman Ciezki. The left fielder battled to a 2-2 count but sent a high-flying pop up to second for the final out of the game.
Heteniak struck out 11 as her 18-game BIG EAST win streak came to a close.
Kim Schweitzer (9-6) got the win, while Ashley Forsyth recorded the save. The pair combined for six strikeouts and four walks.
The Blue Demons return to action on Sunday when they host Pittsburgh. The BIG EAST doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
