DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Eastern Illinois
Early Inning Runs Lift DePaul Past Eastern Illinois
3/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
CHARLESTON, Ill. - The DePaul softball team defeated Eastern Illinois 5-3 in its second game of the day against the Panthers Wednesday evening at Williams Field in Charleston, Illinois.
DePaul (8-20) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in game two. In the top of the first, Leadoff batter Dylan Christensen started with a double to left center. The junior advanced to third off a wild pitch and scored DePaul's first run courtesy of a double from Morgan Maize.
Eastern Illinois (9-17) quickly responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the first.
DePaul battled ahead in the third inning, scoring three runs. With Dylan Christensen, Micah Fitzgerald and Morgan Maize on base, Naomi Tellez grounded out, but scored Dylan Christensen.
Nicole Phil followed with a single to score Fitzgerald and advance Maize to third.
Maize then put DePaul up 4-1 by stealing home.
The Panthers scored another run in the bottom of the fourth, but DePaul responded with its final run in the top of the fifth.
With one out and Fitzgerald and Maize in scoring position, Naomi Tellez hit a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Fitzgerald to score.
Eastern Illinois etched an additional run in the bottom of the seventh, but failed to catch the Blue Demons.
DePaul's Megan Leyva (2-8) earned her second win of the season in the circle. The sophomore pitched all seven innings, allowing five hits and striking out two.
Eastern Illinois' Jessica Wireman (7-13) suffered the loss. Wireman allowed six hits and struck out four.
The Blue Demons return to Lincoln Park and prepare for their first home and conference games of the season this Friday and Saturday. On Friday, Mar. 25, DePaul takes on Villanova with a doubleheader starting at noon. Saturday, Mar. 26, the Blue Demons and Wildcats meet again at 11 a.m.
All of DePaul's home games are played at Cacciactore Stadium located at 900 W Beldan Ave.
For ticket information, please call 773-325-SLAM (7526).
