DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
UAB
Dean's the Hero Again for No. 25 DePaul
2/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
Feb. 19, 2011
CLEARWATER, Fla. - Lindsey Dean is now 2-for-2 in the category of heroic performances.
Making her first plate appearance, the senior relief pitcher drilled the game-winning single Saturday in No. 25 DePaul's 1-0, eight-inning victory over Alabama-Birmingham at the USF Tournament.
This was only Dean's second game of 2011.
In her season debut six days ago, the right-hander saved the Blue Demons with five stellar innings of relief pitching en route to a 5-4 upset of then-No. 22 Ohio State at the FIU Combat Classic.
DePaul (7-1) began the bottom of the eighth with Bree Brown as the designated runner on second base via the international tie-breaker rule.
Katelyn Braget sacrificed her to third and Lynsey Ciezki reached on a dropped third strike. The Blazers (3-5)chose to intentionally walk leadoff batter Alex Morocco.
With the bases loaded, DePaul coach Eugene Lenti followed a gut instinct and had Dean pinch-hit for Megan Coronado---who had one of DePaul's two hits.
In her first at-bat of the season, Dean slashed a base hit that scored Brown with the winning run.
It was the fourth one-run victory for the Blue Demons in eight games.
Winning pitcher Kirsten Verdun kept DePaul in the game by scattering six hits and recording the second shutout of her career. The freshman southpaw finished with seven strikeouts and two walks in upping her record to 3-1.
In the bottom of the third, Allie Warren was hit by a pitch and Lynsey Ciezki reached on a fielder's choice with one out. But Alex Morocco went down swinging and pinch-runner Mackenzie Madigan was caught stealing.
An inning later, Samantha Dodd doubled with one out and Verdun reached on an error. Marla Mathews grounded to UAB shortstop Kayla Orr who threw out Dodd at home. Brittney Yniguez ended the threat with a groundout to Orr.
DePaul faces Fordham in its second Saturday game.
