Seventh Inning Rally Makes all the Difference for DePaul

Friday, February 15

Birmingham, Ala.

12:30 P.M. CT

DePaul University

6-0

Eastern Illinois

3-4

DePaul

Eastern Illinois

Seventh Inning Rally Makes all the Difference for DePaul

2/15/2019 3:13:00 PM | SOFTBALL

Box Score

The Blue Demons enter the final inning scoreless before going on a six-run rally to claim the victory over EIU.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - What started off as a pitcher's duel Friday afternoon would end up taking an unexpected turn for the Blue Demons and Panthers.

With Natalie Halvorson on the mound for DePaul, Eastern Illinois offense started off slow but would manage to get a run on the board in the first inning.

The action would remain slim until the bottom of the fourth when a two-run homer from the Panthers put DePaul in a 3-0 deficit. EIU would score one more run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth to make it 4-0.

Just when the Panthers thought they had it in the bag, DePaul had other plans in mind. Alysia Rodriguez was the first on base in the top of the seventh after singling to centerfield. Rodriguez was then replaced by pinch runner Madison Fisher. Erin Andris then singled up the middle, advancing Fisher to second. With yet another single, Skylor Hilger advanced to second on the throw that would eliminate Rodriguez as she got caught between third and home.

With Hilger on second and Fisher on third, Maranda Gutierrez was walked to load the bases. Angela Scalzitti was walked to score Andris for DePaul's first run of the game.

Jessica Cothern would step up to the plate next for a single that would score Hilger, cutting the Blue Demons deficit in half, 4-2. Kate Polucha was walked to score Gutierrez, bringing DePaul within one.

Two pitching changes and two outs later with the bases loaded, Gabby O'Riley would step up to the plate and change the fate of the game. Taylor Young went in to pinch run for Cothern before O'Riley slammed a deep double that would score Polucha, Young and Scalzitti, putting the Blue Demons in the lead by a difference of 6-4.

Halvorson was able to hold the Panthers in the bottom of the seventh to seal the victory for DePaul. With no losses under her belt, this victory marked Halvorson's fourth win of the season after winning BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week after a spectacular performance at last weekend's Total Control Invitational.

The Blue Demons will play their second and final game of the day shortly after 3:00 p.m.. against tournament host Samford.

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