DePaul University
St. John's
Rodriguez provides late-inning heroics with walk-off home run
4/22/2018 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
Box Score
CHICAGO - For the second day in a row, the DePaul softball team and its BIG EAST rival St. John's went to extra innings to decide the victor. In Sunday's matchup, the Blue Demons captured the season-series victory with the Red Storm on a 10th inning, walk-off solo home run by third baseman Alysia Rodriguez to defeat the Johnnies 2-1.
Freshman Kate Polucha led off the contest for the Blue Demons (27-14, 9-3 BE) with a solo shot over the right-center field fence to give DePaul the 1-0 advantage.
In the top of the third, St. John's (18-23, 7-5 BE) tied the game at 1-1, taking advantage of back-to-back singles by Lauren Zick and Krystal Puga to start the frame. On a 2-1 count, Zick stole third base and then came around to score the tying run on an erred throw to third by DePaul's catcher Jessica Cothern.
The contest went into extra innings after the pitching duel between St. John's Murray McKenzie & Madison Morris and DePaul's Missy Zoch provided six consecutive scoreless innings.
With one out in the 10th, Rodriguez sent the eighth pitch of her at bat down the left field line and over the fence to hand DePaul the 2-1 walk-off victory over St. John's.
Of note, Polucha went 3-for-3 at the plate for the Blue Demons, coming up just a triple shy of the cycle.
Zoch (12-4) tallied her 11th complete game of the season, pitching all 10 innings of the contest for DePaul. The right-handed hurler struck out nine batters, allowing just 10 hits and one unearned run.
Next, the Blue Demons welcome Butler to Cacciatore Stadium for their final BIG EAST home series of the season. The three-game series will see doubleheader action on Saturday starting at noon and will conclude with Senior Day festivities on Sunday at noon as well.
Game Notes
-Coach Lenti's squad is 7-3 at Cacciatore Stadium in 2018.
-DePaul leads the all-time series with St. John's 26-6.
-The Blue Demons are 1-4 in extra inning contests.
-Polucha leads the Blue Demons with .365 batting average.
-Zoch carries a squad-best 12 wins in the center circle.
