DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Syracuse
DePaul Delights School Kids on Field Trip Day
4/25/2012 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
April 25, 2012
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CHICAGO - Rainy weather didn't discourage nearly 500 school children from their "Occupy Cacciatore Stadium" movement on Wednesday.
They were screaming loudly for the Blue Demons in a 3-2 BIG EAST Conference victory over Syracuse.
Winning pitcher Kirsten Verdun improved to 20-10 on the season, holding the Orange to the pair of runs on two hits in the opener of a doubleheader. The sophomore left-hander finished with a career-high 12 strikeouts and just one walk.
DePaul (28-17, 9-6 in the BIG EAST) manufactured an offense early, scoring twice in the second inning with just one hit.
With two out, Allie Braden reached on a dropped third strike and took second on a throwing error. Braden then stole third base before Paige Peterson walked and stole second.
Bree Brown laid down a bunt single that brought Braden home. Syracuse ace Jenna Caira made an errant toss that allowed Peterson to score from second base.
The Blue Demons made it 3-0 in the third when Lynsey Ciezki led off with a single to left, advanced on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Verdun's double down the right-field line.
Verdun had her no-hit bid ruined in the fifth inning when Jasmine Watson led off with a double to right-center. After Julie Wambold was hit by a pitch, Katelyn Braget's error in right field allowed Watson to score. Leah Porter's single to right scored Wambold in cutting the Blue Demons' lead to 3-2.
The loss dropped Syracuse to 34-12 overall and 11-4 in the BIG EAST.
Beasley Academic Center, where Bulls star Derrick Rose graduated, brought 155 students to the game. Schmid Elementary filled in the stands with 90 students while Tilton Elementary came with 80 students.
Other grammar schools that attended Field Trip Day included Hendricks Academy, Songhai Learning Institute and Kohn Elementary. DePaul provided free tickets to the game, bus transportation and T-shirts for the kids.
