Softball Kicks Off 2021 Season With The DePaul Dome Tournament

CHICAGO – DePaul softball is set to open the season this weekend at the DePaul Dome Tournament hosted in Rosemont, Ill.

The Blue Demons will host squads from Kansas City, Loyola, Western Illinois, Western Michigan and Valparaiso in the three-day event at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex.

DePaul will open the season with two games on Friday with a meeting against Valparaiso at 1:30 p.m. CT followed by a contest with Western Michigan at 4 p.m. Saturday's schedule sees early action from the Blue Demons with a 9 a.m. matchup against Kansas City before an afternoon meeting with crosstown foe Loyola. The first weekend of action wraps up on Sunday with an 11:30 a.m. contest against Western Illinois.

The Blue Demons return to the field after an going 8-12 in the abbreviated 2020 campaign. DePaul will look to continue their run of success under third-year head coach Tracie Adix-Zins. DePaul returns 15 letterwinners from a season ago including 10 from its 2019 BIG EAST title run.

Maranda Gutierrez, 2018 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, returns as a at Shortstop alongside veteran Skylor Hilger at Second base. Jessica Cothern, a three-time All-BIG EAST selection, returns to her post behind the plate with Gabby O'Riley poised for more offensive production. In the outfield, Angela Scalzitti enters her seventh season with the program at centerfield while Kate Polucha anchors leftfield in her senior campaign.

In the circle, seniors Natalie Halvorson and Krista Dalgarn provide the veteran experience with junior Erin Hocker, and sophomores Payton Lundberg, Tori Meyer and Brooke Johnson adding depth to the pitching core.

Seven freshman landed in Lincoln Park in September and will look to make an immediate impact in a multitude of roles.

Scouting the Broncos
The Broncos played 21 games in 2020. Western Michigan posted a signature win over No. 22 Arizona State in opening weekend. WMU had won two of its last three games before the remainder of the season was canceled. Sydney Stefanick paced the Broncos at the plate in the short season, hitting .364 with a pair of homers and eight RBI. Kaylen Glenfield and Samantha Coffel were also hitting over .300. Head coach Kathy Leitke enters her 21st season at the helm of the program.

DePaul hold the series with Western Michigan 6-1. The last meeting between the two programs was in 2002, a 6-0 victory.

Scouting the Crusaders
Valparaiso posted a 9-10 record in last year's truncated campaign, a schedule which featured three wins over squads which had won their league title the previous season, four extra-inning games and eight one-run games. Sophomore Peyton Moeder led the offensive attack, hitting .310, while all three regular pitchers had ERAs under three, led by freshman Easton Seib's 2.16 ERA.
DePaul leads the series with Valparaiso, 43-1-1. The Crusaders won the last meeting in 2016 by a 5-1 margin.

Scouting the Roos
Kansas City went 6-13 in the abbreviated season in 2020. The Roos return to the Summit League in 2021 and have a pair of Summit League players to watch in Delainey Fenoglio and Mia Hoveland. Fenoglio, a DP, enters her junior season after posting the second-highest batting average (.357) and slugging percentage (.500) in 2020. Hoveland returns to the mound after 12 appearances and eight starts in 2020. Head Coach Kerry Shaw enters his second season at the helm for the Roos.

The Blue Demons are 12-0 against Kansas City. The last meeting between the programs was a 2-1 decision on Feb. 9, 2019.

Scouting the Ramblers
Head Coach Alicia Abbott is in her second season leading the Ramblers. Loyola posted a 12-9 record in 2020 and welcome six starters from that club, including 2019 First Team All-MVC first baseman Allyson Ivey.

DePaul and Loyola will meet for the 72nd on Saturday. The Blue Demons lead the all-time series 63-8 and have won the last five meetings.

Scouting the Leathernecks
Western Illinois starts the season under first-year Head Coach Alisa Goler. 12 letterwinners from 2020 return to the fray with seniors Abby Carlin and Alyssa Early leading the way as Summit League Players to Watch.

DePaul and WIU met last season at the Saluki Invitational, where the Leathernecks won both meetings. DePaul holds the all-time series lead 25-8.

Up Next: Following opening weekend, DePaul will travel south to Southern Illinois to take part in the Coach B Classic from Feb. 26-28. The Blue Demons will meet Austin Peay State, Ball State, Saint Louis, and SIU.

Softball Kicks Off 2021 Season With The DePaul Dome Tournament

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Players Mentioned

Jessica Cothern

Krista Dalgarn

Maranda Gutierrez

Natalie Halvorson

Skylor Hilger

Erin Hocker

Brooke Johnson

Payton Lundberg

Tori Meyer

Gabby O'Riley

Kate Polucha

Angela Scalzitti

DePaul University Athletics