DePaul University Athletics
Brown Just One Out Away From Perfect Game
5/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - All Bree Brown needed on Saturday was a groundout, flyout---even a hard line drive right at one of her teammates.
But after retiring 23 consecutive batters, Brown gave up a double in DePaul's 1-0 victory over Syracuse in the first game of a crucial BIG EAST Conference doubleheader.
After losing pitcher Jenna Caira ruined the perfect game and no-hitter, Brown proceeded to strike out Stacy Kukwik. The DePaul freshman had opened the inning by striking out Hallie Gibbs and Lacey Kohl.
Brown (16-5) finished with a season-high 17 strikeouts and no walks---striking out the side twice. Her previous high had been 13 strikeouts in a 6-2 victory over Hawai'i on March 13 in Honolulu
"I knew I had a no-hitter, but I didn't realize it was a perfect game," Brown said about the final inning. "I just wanted to get one more out to finish the game.
"My riseball was moving about four inches, and they were swinging at it hard-core. I'd start off with a curveball or screwball for a strike and then just basically throw riseballs after that."
What pitch did Caira hit?
"It was an inside riseball that didn't jump very well," Brown said. "After that, I focused on getting the last out and getting a win for my team. It was probably better not knowing about the perfect game. It might have made me more nervous."
The superb outing followed up Brown's four-hit performance against No. 17 Illinois in last Thursday's 3-2 victory.
Brown is now 9-1 since an April 17 win over Rutgers.
"Bree was unbelievable," said DePaul coach Eugene Lenti. "It was just phenomenal pitching with those 17 strikeouts. Since our St. John's doubleheader (April 14), she has pitched well in every game with the exception of the loss to Illinois State."
Brown said she is feeling more confident in the pitching circle.
"I'm getting more comfortable each time out and not worrying so much about giving up runs," Brown said. "I know my offense will come through."
DePaul won its seventh in-a-row and 15th of its last 16 after finally solving Caira (17-11) in the top of the eighth.
Alex Morocco came through with a one-out single to left field and advanced to second on Lynsey Ciezki's groundout.
After Becca Heteniak walked, Brittney Yniguez ripped a clutch RBI single to left field. For Yniguez, it was her 31st RBI of the season---tying her with Tara Voss for the team lead.
DePaul (36-15, 17-3 in the BIG EAST Conference) couldn't bring home Ciezki and Heteniak after both had singled in the fourth.
The Blue Demons had runners on second and third with two outs in the seventh, but Marie Thompson grounded out.
The victory kept DePaul in first place by a half-game over Notre Dame (16-3), which defeated St. John's 6-3 in the first game of a doubleheader in Queens, N.Y.
