DePaul University
35-15
Saint Francis
29-31
DePaul Eliminates Saint Francis, Advances to Game Five
5/18/2019 5:51:00 PM | SOFTBALL
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - DePaul eliminated the Red Storm, 3-1, to advance to game five of the Ann Arbor Regional. DePaul will turn around and play James Madison for the second time at 6:05 p.m. CT. DePaul's record is now 35-15.
Krista Dalgarn pitched a strong 4.2 innings for the Blue Demons and allowed only three hits and one run before being replaced by Natalie Halvorson who pitched a perfect two innings.
Playing directly after a game that was scoreless through nearly 12 full innings, the Blue Demons did want to follow that pattern. After being scoreless through three, DePaul scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the lead.
Kate Polucha powered out a leadoff double, her 12th of the season, to left center and circled in on a single from Gabby O'Riley. With one out, Brianna Viles stepped up to the plate for a special moment as she launched her first career home run as one of DePaul's three seniors. The blast brought home Erin Andris, who pinch ran for O'Riley and lifted the lead to 3-0.
Saint Francis put up its first run in the top of the fifth to enforce a pitching change as Halvorson entered the circle for the Blue Demons. With the bases loaded, Viles caught a fly ball to help the Blue Demons escape the inning without any further runs being scored.
Halvorson held the Red Storm throughout the remaining innings to help advance the Blue Demons to game five. The contest will be on ESPN3.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Dalgarn, Krista (14-8)
L: CLARK, Christina (14-11)
S: Halvorson, Natalie (2)
Batting:
RBI: SABAN, Mekenzie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: ROUSSEAU, Tayven 1
Batting:
2B: Polucha, Kate 1
HR: Viles, Brianna 1
RBI: O'Riley, Gabby 1 ; Viles, Brianna 2
SH: Viles, Brianna 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Polucha, Kate 1 ; Andris, Erin 1 ; Viles, Brianna 1
