Eight-Run Sixth Inning Drives DePaul Past Northwestern

Wednesday, March 27

Evanston, Ill.

4:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

22-9

Northwestern

22-7

DePaul

Northwestern

Eight-Run Sixth Inning Drives DePaul Past Northwestern

3/27/2019 8:31:00 PM | SOFTBALL

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. - A lengthy sixth inning pushed the Blue Demons past Northwestern 9-7 in a dramatic come-from-behind victory Wednesday at Sharon J. Drysdale Field. DePaul's record improves to 22-9 on the season and Northwestern's drops to 22-7.

The victory over the Wildcats saw home runs from three different Blue Demons in Maranda Gutierrez, Gabby O'Riley and Kate Polucha. Both Gutierrez and O'Riley tallied their fourth of the season to match Morgan Greenwood for the team-high, while Polucha marked her third of the season.

Northwestern drove in two runs in the first two innings of play and held DePaul to a blank slate. The Blue Demons would bring in their first run of the game on solo home run from Gutierrez in the top of the fourth to cut the deficit in half.

The Wildcats would escape into a 5-1 lead after bringing in three runs scattered throughout the fourth and fifth innings.

Just when it seemed the 'Cats had it in the bag, the tables turned. An eight-run sixth inning for DePaul would give them their first lead of the game and pose a real threat.

Polucha was walked and almost immediately brought home on a two-run bomb from O'Riley. Gutierrez was hit by a pitch and advanced to second as Skylor Hilger singled through the left side. Hilger advanced to third and Gutierrez hustled home on a deep double from Alysia Rodriguez that escaped the reach of the NU outfielders.

With zero outs in the inning, there was much more offensive momentum from DePaul waiting to explode. After a Northwestern pitching change, Angela Scalzitti slammed out a two-RBI double that brought home Rodriguez and Hilger. Jessica Cothern then stepped up to the plate for a single that scored Scalzitti to make it 8-5.

With one run left in store, Fisher would enter the game to pinch run for Cothern before being brought home on a two-run blast from Polucha to put DePaul in a 9-5 advantage before the conclusion of the sixth inning.

In an avid comeback attempt, the Wildcats would bring in their last two runs in the bottom of the sixth, both the product of solo homers.

The Blue Demons will resume conference play this Saturday and Sunday as they host Seton Hall for the home-opening weekend at Cacciatore Stadium.

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