DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Oklahoma
A Rough Outing for No. 24/25 DePaul
3/15/2012 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
March 15, 2012
FULLERTON, Calif. - Absolutely nothing went right for the Blue Demons on Thursday.
In the roughest loss of the season, No. 24/25 DePaul was thumped 18-1 in five innings by No. 7/7 Oklahoma in the opener of the prestigious Judi Garman Classic.
The Sooners jumped on DePaul starting pitcher Hannah Penna for three runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Oklahoma (21-3) followed up with six runs in the second inning as Lauren Chamberlain (3-for-4, five RBIs) hit a grand-slam home run. The Sooners put up an eight-spot in the third.
DePaul avoided a shutout when Katelyn Braget hit a solo home run in the fourth inning.
"They crushed us," said DePaul coach Eugene Lenti. "Hannah got hit pretty hard and then Mary Connolly came in and also got hit hard.
"There were too many walks, including to their No. 8 and 9 hitters. Neither pitcher was very strong."
Five Oklahoma batters had three hits apiece as the Sooners finished with 19 hits.
"When your pitching isn't very good, there isn't much you can do," Lenti said. "You lead the way from the circle.
"It's just one game. You learn from it and move on. Let's see how we bounce back tonight against Fresno State."
DePaul (14-6) takes on the Bulldogs at 9:30 p.m. Thursday.
NOTES: Braget was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored... Samantha Dodd was 1-for-2 and Ali Warren was 1-for-2... DePaul had three hits off Oklahoma ace Ricketts, who struck out seven in three innings... Sooner pitchers had a total of 10 strikeouts in five innings... Penna and Connolly each gave up nine runs... Dodd extended her hitting streak to 10 games and has reached base 10 games in a row... Lynsey Ciezki had her 10-game hitting streak snapped... Kirsten Verdun's six-game hitting streak came to an end.
