DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Villanova
Early Scoring Elevates Blue Demons Over Villanova
4/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
Box Score: DePaul 3, Villanova 1
VILLANOVA, Pa. -- The DePaul softball team did all of its damage in the early innings to take down Villanova, 3-1, to open the doubleheader. The Blue Demons (18-21, 9-3 BIG EAST) won their second straight league game behind four extra-base hits.
Mary Connolly got in done both at the plate and on the mound in the duel. At the dish, Connolly went 2-for-3 while collecting all three of the team's RBI. The senior also hurled a complete game, scattering four hits and striking out three.
Sabrina Kuchta and Nicole Pihl notched the other two hits for DePaul -- both doubles -- in the matchup.
DePaul got on the board in its first at-bat when Connolly laced a double in the left-center gap to score Morgan Maize and make it a 1-0 score line.
Villanova (22-25, 8-8) nabbed a run back in the second frame when it also got a run-scoring double and tied the game at 1-1.
After Maize drew her second walk in as many plate appearances, Connolly helped out her own cause and blasted her 12th homer of the season to put the Blue Demons up, 3-1.
Connolly and Wildcat pitcher Kate Poppe then settled in as both teams were only able to muster a combined four hits in the final four innings.
Villanova put a scare into DePaul in the bottom of the seventh stanza. The Wildcats got a runner on and then proceeded to load the bases with just one out.
Connolly buckled down and retired the next two batters -- Villanova's No. 2 and No. 3 hitters -- to send DePaul to the 3-1 victory.
The Blue Demons return to the field in 20 minutes to conclude the doubleheader on Saturday.
Notes: This was the 16th meeting between the programs all-time... DePaul has won the last eight and leads the series, 15-1... Mary Connolly and Morgan Maize have each reached base safely in the last 17 games... Connolly picked up her 13 multiple RBI game and 10th game with at least two hits this season... Nicole Pihl launched her ninth double of her career... Staci Bonezek started the 184th game of her career... the Blue Demons won while scoring four or fewer runs for the fourth time this season... DePaul is 3-1 this season in the opening games of BIG EAST doubleheaders.
