DePaul University Athletics
Softball Opens Home Slate Against North Dakota State
3/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
March 17, 2015
CHICAGO - Fresh off a trip to California, the DePaul softball team is set to begin the home portion of its schedule with a 4 p.m. showdown against North Dakota State on Wednesday.
The Blue Demons (7-15) are 4-2 in their past six home openers since 2009. DePaul will see the Bison (17-5) for the first time in program history for a midweek matchup at Cacciatore Stadium.
DePaul wrapped up tournament play last weekend at the Easton Tournament in Fullerton, Calif. The Blue Demons went 1-3, with their lone victory coming in thrilling fashion against Boise State. DePaul scored three runs in the seventh and eighth innings to take a 6-5 decision versus the Broncos.
Mary Connolly landed on the BIG EAST Honor Roll following the four-game weekend. Connolly hit .364 with one home run - a solo shot with two outs in the seventh against Boise State - and a double. In the circle, the Winfield, Ill. native threw 14 innings and boasted a 1.50 ERA with five strikeouts.
After hosting North Dakota State, DePaul begins the conference season with a pair of trips to St. John's (March 22-23) and Seton Hall (March 24-25). The first home BIG EAST series comes against Providence, March 28-29. For ticket information, call 773-325-SLAM (7526).
Scouting North Dakota State
The Blue Demons meet with the Bison for the first time ever in program history. DePaul is no stranger to Summit League opponents, however, as the Blue Demons boast a 30-7 record against teams from the conference.
North Dakota State rolls into Lincoln Park with a 17-5 record and one of the most aggressive teams in the country. The Bison are sitting in a tie for seventh in the nation with 61 stolen bases on the season. North Dakota State averages the fifth-best average in the country with 2.9 swipes per game. Krista Menke has been a force on the mound, holding a 13-2 record with 2.24 ERA and 178 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting just .142 off the power pitching right hander. Offensively, the Bison are hitting at a .320 clip and are paced by Logan Moreland and Cheyenne Garcia. Moreland's potent bat has produced a .459 average with six doubles and 11 RBI. Garcia provides the pop in the lineup with a .411 average, .781 slugging percentage, six home runs, seven doubles and 20 RBI.
Home Openers
Since 2009, DePaul is 4-2 in its first game played in Lincoln Park of the season. The Blue Demons also boast a 4-2 mark in their first home game against a non-conference opponent. Last season, DePaul opened with St. John's and took an 8-1 decision. Kali Gardner went 2-for-4 with two RBI and recorded eight putouts behind the plate. The last time the Blue Demons opened their home slate with a non-BIG EAST opponent came in 2011 when they dropped a double header to Louisville. DePaul is 7-4 in home games that take place in March since the 2009 season.
Diamond of Double Digits
DePaul is no stranger to putting up 10-or-more runs up on the scoreboard. This season, the Blue Demons have reached the feat twice, both in victories over Northern Iowa and Prairie View A&M. DePaul has had three games of nine runs coming against Saint Mary's (Feb. 6, Feb. 7) and UMKC (Feb. 20). The Blue Demons accumulated six games of double-digit run totals in 2014 and have done it 27 times since 2010.
| Live Video | DePaul Notes
CHICAGO - Fresh off a trip to California, the DePaul softball team is set to begin the home portion of its schedule with a 4 p.m. showdown against North Dakota State on Wednesday.
The Blue Demons (7-15) are 4-2 in their past six home openers since 2009. DePaul will see the Bison (17-5) for the first time in program history for a midweek matchup at Cacciatore Stadium.
DePaul wrapped up tournament play last weekend at the Easton Tournament in Fullerton, Calif. The Blue Demons went 1-3, with their lone victory coming in thrilling fashion against Boise State. DePaul scored three runs in the seventh and eighth innings to take a 6-5 decision versus the Broncos.
Mary Connolly landed on the BIG EAST Honor Roll following the four-game weekend. Connolly hit .364 with one home run - a solo shot with two outs in the seventh against Boise State - and a double. In the circle, the Winfield, Ill. native threw 14 innings and boasted a 1.50 ERA with five strikeouts.
After hosting North Dakota State, DePaul begins the conference season with a pair of trips to St. John's (March 22-23) and Seton Hall (March 24-25). The first home BIG EAST series comes against Providence, March 28-29. For ticket information, call 773-325-SLAM (7526).
Scouting North Dakota State
The Blue Demons meet with the Bison for the first time ever in program history. DePaul is no stranger to Summit League opponents, however, as the Blue Demons boast a 30-7 record against teams from the conference.
North Dakota State rolls into Lincoln Park with a 17-5 record and one of the most aggressive teams in the country. The Bison are sitting in a tie for seventh in the nation with 61 stolen bases on the season. North Dakota State averages the fifth-best average in the country with 2.9 swipes per game. Krista Menke has been a force on the mound, holding a 13-2 record with 2.24 ERA and 178 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting just .142 off the power pitching right hander. Offensively, the Bison are hitting at a .320 clip and are paced by Logan Moreland and Cheyenne Garcia. Moreland's potent bat has produced a .459 average with six doubles and 11 RBI. Garcia provides the pop in the lineup with a .411 average, .781 slugging percentage, six home runs, seven doubles and 20 RBI.
Home Openers
Since 2009, DePaul is 4-2 in its first game played in Lincoln Park of the season. The Blue Demons also boast a 4-2 mark in their first home game against a non-conference opponent. Last season, DePaul opened with St. John's and took an 8-1 decision. Kali Gardner went 2-for-4 with two RBI and recorded eight putouts behind the plate. The last time the Blue Demons opened their home slate with a non-BIG EAST opponent came in 2011 when they dropped a double header to Louisville. DePaul is 7-4 in home games that take place in March since the 2009 season.
Diamond of Double Digits
DePaul is no stranger to putting up 10-or-more runs up on the scoreboard. This season, the Blue Demons have reached the feat twice, both in victories over Northern Iowa and Prairie View A&M. DePaul has had three games of nine runs coming against Saint Mary's (Feb. 6, Feb. 7) and UMKC (Feb. 20). The Blue Demons accumulated six games of double-digit run totals in 2014 and have done it 27 times since 2010.
Players Mentioned
P/1B
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