DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Green Bay
Softball Initiates Tournament Play at Total Control Invitational
2/7/2019 11:31:00 AM | SOFTBALL
The reigning BIG EAST titleholder enters its first weekend of play under a new coaching staff
Friday, Feb. 8
DePaul vs. Green Bay | 4:30 p.m.
DePaul vs. Evansville | 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 9
DePaul vs. Green Bay | 11:30 a.m.
DePaul vs. UMKC | 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 10
Purdue Fort Wayne | 2:00 p.m.
CHICAGO, Ill. - The DePaul softball program opens its first season under a brand new coaching staff at the Total Control Invitational hosted by Loyola. The tournament will take place just down I-90 at The Dome at the Ballpark in Rosemont. Directions can be accessed here.
Last season, the Blue Demons claimed the BIG EAST regular-season title for the second time in the last three seasons and paired it with their second consecutive BIG EAST tournament title, repeating as champions and wrapping up the season boasting an overall record of 34-17, 15-3 in league play.
Going into this weekend, head coach Tracie Adix-Zins feels confident in her roster and hopes to continue propelling the successful legacy of the program forward.
"We are all really excited about the season starting this weekend and it being so close to home," said Adix-Zins. "I think the Total Control Invitational is a great tournament to start the year and is going to give us a good take on the team.
"The team has been working really hard and we are excited to see them put everything from practice out on the field.
"We are hoping to build on the success from last season and I believe that with the return of a majority of the roster from last season we have the competitiveness and drive we need to win."
Total Control Invitational
The tournament will feature Green Bay, Purdue Fort Wayne, IUPUI, Evansville, Detroit-Mercy, UMKC, Western Illinois, Butler and Loyola.
Blue Demon Schedule
DePaul will open tournament play with two contests on Friday, Feb 8. The Blue Demons will unlock the season with a game against Green Bay at 4:30 p.m. and will then face off against Evansville at 7:00 p.m.
On Saturday, Feb. 9., DPU will revisit its battle against Green Bay in an 11:30 a.m. game and will finish off the day with a 2:00 p.m. meeting against UMKC.
To cap off the first weekend of tournament play, DePaul will compete in a lone contest against Purdue Fort Wayne at 2:00 p.m.
Last Time Versus Green Bay
The Blue Demons hold a 17-8 advantage in the series against Green Bay and won the last meeting between the two in 2005 when DePaul notched a 4-0 victory over the Phoenix that would advance DPU to the NCAA regional finals. DePaul would go on to capture the regional championship with an 8-6 say in the victory against Oregon.
Scouting the Phoenix
Last season, Green Bay finished with a mark of 11-35, 8-14 in Horizon League play. The Phoenix return sophomore pitcher Kayla Schwebke who was named to the Horizon League All-Freshman Team last season after finishing her first season with double-digit wins and a 3.31 ERA.
Last Time Versus Evansville
DePaul has won six out of eight contests against Evansville, with the Blue Demons taking the 6-1 landslide in the last meeting between the pair over two decades ago in 1996.
Scouting the Purple Aces
Evansville finished the 2018 season with an overall record of 15-34, 8-18 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Evansville returns pitcher Morgan Florey who was third in the NCAA last season with 10.6 strikeouts per seven innings.
Last Time Versus UMKC
DePaul and UMKC last met in 2015 when a 9-4 final score tacked on one more win to DePaul's perfect series record of 11-0 against the Kangaroos.
Scouting the Kangaroos
UMKC concluded the 2018 season with a stamp of 15-41, 2-13 in Western Athletic Conference play.
Last Time Versus Purdue Fort Wayne
The Blue Demons and Mastodons will be facing off for the first time this Sunday.
Scouting the Mastodons
The Mastodons bid farewell to the 2018 season with a an overall record of 19-35, 3-11 in Summit League contests.
Notes
-Tracie Adix-Zins, Amanda Buchholz and Joe Yegge approach their first game leading the DePaul softball program
-DePaul softball holds the series advantages against each upcoming Total Control Opponent
-Four DePaul seniors, Sabrina Kuchta, Brianna Viles, Alysia Rodriguez and Morgan Greenwood will take the field for their final season in scarlet and royal blue
-DePaul softball was picked to finish fourth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll
-The Blue Demons currently hold the crown as reigning BIG EAST champions after winning both the regular season title and their second-consecutive tournament title last season
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