DePaul University Athletics
Softball Heads West for the Easton Tournament
3/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
Notes 
| Easton Tournament Schedule | Video
CHICAGO -- The DePaul softball team heads west this weekend for the Easton Tournament in Fullerton, California Mar. 18-20.
On Friday, Mar. 18, DePaul takes on Grand Canyon at 3:30 p.m. and No. 13/14 Oklahoma at 6 p.m. Central time. Saturday, Mar. 19, DePaul challenges No. 6/4 Alabama at 12:30 p.m. and New Mexico at 3:30 p.m. CT. Sunday, Mar. 20, DePaul wraps up with No. 23/RV Nebraska at 2:30 p.m. CT.
Since 2007, the Blue Demons have traveled to Fullerton, Calif. for competition. DePaul is one of nine teams at the event this year that includes No. 13/14 Oklahoma, No. 6/4 Alabama, UNLV, Grand Canyon, Arkansas, No. 23/RV Nebraska, New Mexico and host Cal State.
DePaul (6-14) looks to extend its two-game win streak after finishing the Rebel Classic in Las Vegas last weekend 3-2, the teams best tournament finish so far this season.
Senior Naomi Tellez was named the BIG EAST Player of the Week for her performance at the Rebel Classic. Tellez finished with an .800 average that included three home runs and six RBI.
Video will be available for the duration of the tournament courtesy of FloSoftball. Fans can sign up and view the games by visiting flosoftball.com. Live stats will be available for all games on the day of. Links to the live stats can be found on DePaul softball's schedule page.
Grand Canyon Scout (20-8) -- The Lopes enter the Easton Tournament after finishing 4-1 at the CSUN Matador Classic last weekend. With its 20-8 record, GCU sit among the nations top 50 in win percentage (.714). Taylor Nowlin is the current WAC Player of the Week after allowing just five earned runs on eight hits in 14.1 innings pitched at the Classic. Nowlin finished the weekend with a 2.44 ERA.
This will be the first meeting between the Blue Demons and Lopes.
Oklahoma Scout (17-5) -- The Sooners ended their nine-game win streak with a 12-10 eight inning loss to No. 22 Minnesota on Wednesday. Sophomore Lea Wodach tied a career high with four hits to extend her hitting streak to 15 games.
The last time the Blue Demons and Sooners met was in 2015. Oklahoma bested DePaul 11-3 in six innings, extending its winning streak to four over the Blue Demons. Oklahoma holds a 10-6 series advantage over DePaul.
Alabama Scout (22-4) -- Alabama comes to Calif. after finishing a three-game series with No. 6 LSU. The Tigers bested Alabama in two of the three games. The Tide has been ranked sixth or higher in every poll so far this season. Alabama's offense continues to be potent among its opponents. With a team average of .328, the Tide has outscored its opponents 180-58.
DePaul and Alabama met a few weeks ago at the Easton Crimson Classic in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama defeated DePaul 12-4 in five innings, extending its series record 8-2 over the Blue Demons.
New Mexico Scout (13-8) -- New Mexico enters the tournament after a doubleheader sweep of UTEP on Tuesday. Four Lobos boast a batting average of .400 and higher. Mariah Rimmer tops the charts with all 21 games started and played. Rimmer holds a .431 average with 31 hits for 72 at bats.
In 2002, New Mexico got the best of DePaul, taking home a 4-1 victory. The Lobos hold 2-1 series advantage over the Blue Demons.
Nebraska Scout (16-6) -- The Corn Huskers boast a three-game win streak after a mid-week victory over Omaha on Wednesday and victories against Georgetown and Ohio State last weekend at the Louisville Slugger Invitational. MJ Knighten leads Nebraska with a .452 average. The junior has notched 13 home runs this season and has recorded 31 RBI.
DePaul and Nebraska met last year. The Corn Huskers defeated DePaul in five innings 13-2, but the Blue Demons still hold a 7-4 series advantage.
