DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh's Power Short-Circuits Blue Demons
4/14/2012 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
April 14, 2012
BlueTube - Highlights and Postgame Interview
CHICAGO - The expression on DePaul coach Eugene Lenti's face told the whole story of Saturday's nightcap against Pittsburgh.
After pulling out a a 2-1, eight-inning decision in the opener of the Cacciatore Stadium doubleheader, the Blue Demons were tagged with a 6-3 BIG EAST Conference loss.
Starting pitcher Bree Brown and relief pitcher Hannah Penna were victimized by four home runs. Maggie Sevilla and Holly Stevens each had a two-run homer and a solo shot.
Until Saturday's second game, DePaul's pitching staff had not given up a home run in 10 consecutive games.
"Most of that has been Kirsten Verdun," Lenti said. "Our other pitchers haven't been effective, especially in the second game of doubleheaders.
"Our pitching wasn't very good, and our hitting was even worse. We didn't do very much in either game, and frankly, we were lucky to win the first game. Pittsburgh outplayed us in both games."
In 15 innings of play Saturday, DePaul (24-13, 6-2 in the BIG EAST) only scored in three innings and left a total of 16 runners on base.
Pittsburgh (23-18, 6-7) took a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning when the Blue Demons scored three times.
Mary Connolly had a two-out, RBI single to right field. With the bases loaded, Katelyn Braget hit a fly ball that fell between Pitt's left fielder and shortstop for a two-run double.
"I think we were mentally ready today, but there were times when we were in a little bit of a daze," Braget said. "We didn't maintain our focus for the entire game."
It was Braget who had the game-winning infield hit in game one with the bases loaded and two out.
"In my mind, I was trying to get the barrel of my bat out quickly and hit the ball on the ground," Braget said. "I knew if I put the ball in play, something could happen. It did the job."
What will it take to win the three-game series on Sunday?
"We have to stay together as a team," Braget said in looking ahead to the 11 a.m. showdown. "We have to be aggressive with the bats.
"The defense will come easy. We need to keep making adjustments on offense. Most likely we'll see the same pitchers, so we should know what's coming."
NOTES: The second-game loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Blue Demons... Verdun's nine-game hitting streak came to an end in game one... Verdun has reached base in 11 consecutive games and Connolly has a five-game hitting streak... Lynsey Ciezki was 3-for-4 in game two and 4-for-7 in the doubleheader with two runs... Braget was 2-for-4 in the nightcap with two RBIs and 4-for-8 with three RBIs on the day... Connolly was 2-for-7 with two RBIs and Staci Bonezek was 2-for-5 in the doubleheader with a run scored... Allie Braden was 2-for-6 in the twin bill... Brown pitched three innings and gave up two runs on four hits... Penna went four innings and gave up four runs on six hits.
