DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Tennessee
No. 12 Tennessee Defeats Softball 16-4
2/21/2016 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The DePaul softball team wrapped up its competition at the Michele Smith Invitational on Sunday in Clearwater, Florida with a 16-4 loss to No. 12/14 Tennessee.
The Blue Demons' (2-8) Morgan Maize led the team with two hits in three at bats, while Naomi Tellez recorded two RBI.
Tennessee (8-3) got the game off to a fast start. The Vols scored seven runs in the first inning to quickly establish a large lead.
DePaul responded with two runs in the top of the second courtesy of a Naomi Tellez's first two-run homer of the season. After Haydn Christensen was walked by UT's Erin Gabriel, Tellez stepped up to the plate, slamming the ball beyond the fences of left field. Tennessee finished the inning with two runs for a 9-2 score going into the third.
Maize recorded DePaul's third run of the game in the top of the third off a Vols fielding error. Tennessee went on to clock in seven more runs, beginning with a homer to left center from lead-off batter Lexi Overstreet.
The top of the fifth inning saw DePaul's final run of the game. Gena Lenti singled to right field off new UT pitcher Bria Bush, who took over for Gabriel in the fourth. Pinch runner Marsha' Pendilton replaced Lenti on the bases and made her way to second on a Maize single up the middle. Pendilton reached home off another Tennessee fielding error to set the final 16-4 score.
Tennessee's Gabriel recorded her fifth win in circle. Gabriel (5-1) pitched for three innings, recording seven strikeouts and allowing three runs. Bush allowed a run and notched three strikeouts in her two innings in the circle.
Maize (2-5) pitched four innings for DePaul. Maize struck out two batters and walked six.
Softball returns to Lincoln Park with a week before heading to Tuscaloosa, Ala. for the Easton Crimson Classic Mar. 4-6.
