DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Valparaiso
Softball Falls to Valparaiso
3/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
LAS VEGAS - The DePaul softball team was unable to muster any offense against Valparaiso and fell to the Crusaders 5-1 on Friday in the second day of the Rebel Classic at UNVL's Eller Media Stadium.
DePaul (4-15) struck first in the top of the second, but unfortunately, it was the only run the Blue Demons would score.
Megan Leyva, who got the start in the circle against the Crusaders, helped her own cause in the top of the second. With Morgan Maize and Kali Gardner already on the basepath, Leyva connected on a RBI single for the game's first run.
Valparaiso (2-12) answered with a pair of runs in both the second and third innings.
Down 4-1 in the fourth, the Blue Demons threatened as both Naomi Tellez and Gena Lenti moved into scoring position with two outs. With Angela Scalzitti at the plate, the DePaul sophomore sent a high-flying ball to center, but it was not hit hard enough as Scalzitti's ball was caught for the third out.
The Blue Demons left two runners stranded again in the sixth and just like in the fourth, a fly-out and pop-out ended DePaul's scoring threat.
Leyva suffered the loss and falls to 0-6 on the year. She was in the circle for two and a third innings before being replaced by Morgan Maize. Leyva allowed four runs on four hits while striking out and walking one. Maize finished the game and struck out five. The Blue Demons senior gave up six hits and just one run in three and two-thirds innings.
Valpo hurler Taylor Weissenhoffer recorded her first win of the season. She threw five and a third innings allowing eight heights. Sierra Pico closed out the game and faced DePaul's final seven batters.
The Blue Demons return to action at 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. CT on Saturday against Utah State and Santa Clara.
