DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Alabama
DePaul Puts Another Scare into No. 1 Alabama
3/24/2012 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
March 24, 2012
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - You've got to hand it to these Blue Demons, for they are indeed a scrappy bunch who didn't go down without a fight.
DePaul hit a pair of home runs in the last inning of a 9-7 loss to No. 1 Alabama Saturday afternoon at the Easton Alabama Challenge.
The Crimson Tide had tacked on an extra insurance run in the bottom of the sixth for a 9-4 lead.
And with ace Jackie Traina (17-0)---one of the best pitchers in the country---preparing to finish what she started, the partisan fans in Rhoads Stadium were settling in for a comfortable final three outs.
They got uncomfortable in a hurry. With two out and a full count, Kirsten Verdun ripped a solo home run over the left-field fence. Mary Connolly followed with a single to left.
Katelyn Braget cleared the left-field fence with Traina's first offering, and suddenly the never-say-die Blue Demons were only down by two. Paige Peterson hit a fly ball to center field that stayed in the park.
All of this followed Friday's near comeback against the Crimson Tide in a 4-3 setback.
"It was another shootout at the `Alabama Corral,'" said DePaul coach Eugene Lenti. "Our offense never gave up. We were facing one of the best pitchers in the country and scored seven runs on her.
"I told our players after the game that Traina is never going to give up seven runs in game for the rest of the season."
Alabama (28-1) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning on a solo home run by Cassie Reilly-Boccia and a three-run shot from Kaila Hunt.
No. 25 DePaul (16-9) came roaring back as a double by Paige Peterson and Allie Braden's single led to two runs in the second inning.
One inning later, Mary Connolly doubled and scored on Braget's RBI single to center.
"In a game where we didn't have the pitching, it was our offense and defense that carried us," Lenti said. "On offense, we made some good adjustments and kept fighting back."
Traina's two-run homer and her RBI double helped stake the Crimson Tide to an 8-3 lead after five innings.
Braget doubled and came around to score on Ali Warren's sacrifice fly in the sixth, but Alabama countered with a run in the bottom of the inning.
"Our pitchers were hurt by giving up walks and home runs," Lenti said after using Bree Brown, Mary Connolly and Hannah Penna against the Tide. "You've got to be able to eliminate those.
"Our defense played spectacular today, but our pitchers have to make opposing hitters put the ball in play so our fielders can help them out.
"Offense and defense can win games, but it's pitching that wins championships."
DePaul closes out its Easton Challenge competition on Sunday with a 10 a.m. game against Longwood.
NOTES: Braget was 3-for-4 against Alabama with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored... Connolly was 2-for-3 with three runs... Verdun was 1-for-4 with a home run, RBI and a run... Allie Braden was 1-for-3 with an RBI... Peterson went 1-for-4 and scored a run... in the circle, starter Bree Brown went one inning and gave up four runs on a pair of home runs... in relief, Connolly went 3.1 innings and gave up four runs on two hits, including a home run with two strikeouts and two walks... relief pitcher Hannah Penna pitched 1.2 innings and allowed one run on three hits with one strikeout and two walks... in two games on Saturday, the Blue Demons scored 17 runs and hit four home runs.
