DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Kentucky
Blue Demons Drop NCAA Opener to Kentucky
5/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
LEXINGTON, Ky. - DePaul suffered its first loss of the NCAA Tournament Friday afternoon to regional host Kentucky, 6-0.
Missy Zoch (14-8) suffered the loss for the Blue Demons after going five innings and allowing six earned runs on seven hits. The freshman struck out three in her first NCAA Tournament appearance. Meagan Prince (20-7) secured the win for Kentucky.
Kentucky scored five runs in its first inning to the plate. The scoring for Kentucky started when Abbey Cheek singled to bring home Katie Reed. Zoch ended the inning by striking out Erin Rethlake.
Zoch settled in after the first inning, allowing just two baserunners and no runs between the second and fourth innings.
Dylan Christensen recorded DePaul's first hit of the afternoon when she sent a liner that was knocked down by the Kentucky shortstop in the fourth. Christensen advanced on the base path, but was stranded on second at the end of the inning.
In the top of the fifth, Megan Leyva took four straight pitches from Prince for a leadoff walk. Leyva's early-inning advantage was erased after Kentucky turned a double play in the next at-bat.
DePaul had another early opportunity in the top of the sixth when Sabrina Kuchta squeezed a single up the middle. The Blue Demons were unable to take advantage of the leadoff hit and ended the inning on a groundout to second base.
The Wildcats added a run in the bottom of the fifth after Alex Martens doubled home Cheek.
Krista Dalgarn came into the game in the bottom of the sixth to relieve Zoch. The freshman righty allowed just one hit and held Kentucky scoreless in the frame.
The Blue Demons face Marshall at 1:30 p.m. CT on Saturday. The winner of that matchup returns to the field to face the loser of Kentucky and Illinois, while the loser sees an end to its season. Television assignments for tomorrow's games are to be announced.
