Early Offensive Burst Lifts DePaul Past Canisius

Friday, February 22

Honolulu, HI

4:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

10-1

Canisius College

0-2

Canisius

DePaul

Early Offensive Burst Lifts DePaul Past Canisius

2/22/2019 6:23:00 PM | SOFTBALL

Box Score

Natalie Halvorson tallied her sixth win on the mound and Gabby O'Riley launched her first career home run.

HONOLULU, HI. – DePaul downed Canisius 10-3 to remain undefeated in Hawaii Tournament play. The victory brought DePaul to double-digits in the win column on the season, with an overall record of 10-1.

The Blue Demons forced two different pitching changes from Canisius throughout the contest and freshman Gabby O'Riley hit her first career home run which brought in three runs.

Natalie Halvorson dominated on the mound, picking up her sixth win of the season after allowing only the three runs scored by Canisius early on. Halvorson held the Golden Griffins to only five hits and tallied three K throughout seven innings.

Canisius plated the first three runners of the game to take an early advantage in the top of the first. In the bottom of the first, DePaul got on board. Angela Scalzitti singled and advanced to second on a single from Morgan Greenwood. A single from Kate Polucha would score Scalzitti to close in on DePaul's deficit 3-1.

With Greenwood and Polucha on base, Gabby O'Riley stepped up to the plate ready to wreak havoc. O'Riley powered out a three-run home run and her first career home run to put the Blue Demons in a 4-3 lead and their first lead of the game to conclude the first inning of play.

Both teams remained quiet in the second inning but it didn't take long before DePaul would see one of their most eventful offensive turns yet. Jessica Cothern singled deep into right field and advanced to second on a throwing error by the Canisius right fielder. Cara Jimenez entered the game to pinch run for Cothern. Greenwood stepped up to the plate and slammed out a double to left field to score Jimenez.

Polucha was thrown out at first on a sacrifice bunt that would advance Greenwood to third. Greenwood was thrown out on her way home, however, the offensive burst would not end there. O'Reilly reached first on a fielder's choice before Erin Andris singled to shortstop, advancing O'Reilly to second. Alysia Rodriguez then powered out a double deep into left field to score O'Reilly and advance Andris to third.

With more energy left in the Blue Demons, Brianna Viles singled to center field to score Andris and heighten DePaul's advantage to 7-3.

In the bottom of the fourth, Scalzitti reached first on a wild pitch and advanced to second on a fielder's choice that found Jimenez out at first. After advancing to third on another wild pitch, Scalzitti would bring in the eighth run for the Blue Demons on an RBI ground out from Greenwood.

Halvorson held Canisius to their three runs but DePaul would bring in two more for insurance before the conclusion of the game. In the bottom of the sixth, Maranda Gutierrez singled to left field but got thrown out on a fielder's choice that allowed Scalzitti to reach first.

Sabrina Kuchta entered the game for the Blue Demons to pinch hit for Jimenez and grounded out, advancing Scalzitti to second. Greenwood reached first on a fielding error and Scalzitti advanced to third. Madison Fisher entered the game to pinch run for Greenwood and stole second while Scalzitti stole home. With Polucha then up to bat, she ripped a double down right center to score Fisher for the final run of the game.

DePaul will play their final game of the evening tonight at 9:00 p.m. CT as the Blue Demons face tournament host Hawaii.

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