DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Villanova
Connolly's Gem Leads Blue Demons to 17th Straight Win
4/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
April 26, 2014
CHICAGO - Mary Connolly fired a complete game two-hitter, shutting out visiting Villanova on Sunday as DePaul softball capped an undefeated afternoon with a 3-0 win at Cacciatore Stadium.
The win was the 17th in a row for the Blue Demons, which is the longest for the team since a 19-game spurt in 2001. DePaul improved to 35-8 overall and stayed unblemished in the BIG EAST at 15-0 after winning game one 6-1 earlier in the afternoon.
"What carried the day for us was pitching and defense," said head coach Eugene Lenti. "The offense carried us last week, and I was pleased with our pitching and defense today."
"We're trying to put ourselves in a position for an NCAA tournament at-large berth. We don't want to put all our eggs in the BIG EAST tournament basket."
Connolly did her part and then some, as the junior pitcher continued to mystify BIG EAST opposition while lowering her conference ERA to a microscopic 0.85. Over her seven innings, Connolly struck out 11 Wildcats and walked just one batter to improve to 6-2 on the season.
Villanova ace Kate Poppe dropped to 12-22 after allowing three runs (one earned) through four innings with six strikeouts.
Junior catcher Staci Bonezek had a solid game at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a solo homer in the second inning to stake DePaul to an early 1-0 lead.
In the third, sophomore Morgan Maize laced a two-run single to score Connolly and Cherelle Chambers and cap the scoring for the afternoon.
DePaul returns to the field tomorrow to cap the series with an 11:00 a.m. game. The softball program will honor its four graduating seniors -- Allie Braden, Megan Coronado, Hannah Penna and Kirsten Verdun -- in a postgame ceremony.
Notes: DePaul's 17-game winning streak is its longest since a 19-game spurt in 2001... the Blue Demons have won 21-of-23... the team improved to 23-0 when holding its opponent to two runs or less... Connolly lowered her ERA to 1.89... in BIG EAST games, her ERA is a microscopic 0.85 in 33 innings of work... the five hits collected by DePaul were its fewest in a BIG EAST game this season... DePaul has out-scored its conference opposition 110-25... DePaul improved to 11-0 at Cacciatore Stadium this season... tomorrow's game is Senior Day... DePaul will recognize its four-member senior class of Braden, Coronado, Penna and Verdun...
