DePaul Softball Returns to Action with Midweek Matchup at Loyola

Wednesday, March 31

Chicago, Ill.

2:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

Loyola Chicago

DePaul Softball Returns to Action with Midweek Matchup at Loyola

3/30/2021 2:00:00 PM | SOFTBALL

Blue Demons meet Ramblers for 73rd all-time meeting on Wednesday afternoon

CHICAGO – After a brief hiatus, the DePaul softball team returns to the field on Wednesday, March 31 for a midweek contest with crosstown rival Loyola-Chicago.

First pitch at Loyola Softball Park is set for 2 p.m. CT. with action streamed on ESPN+.

Wednesday marks the second meeting between the two programs in the 2021 campaign. DePaul and Loyola met in the season-opening DePaul Dome Tournament on Feb. 12 with the Blue Demons capturing a 14-6 victory in five innings. The February matchup saw DePaul put up a trio of season-highs with 15 hits, 10 RBI's and six doubles.

DePaul at a Glance: DePaul enters the midweek matchup with a 10-7 mark on the season and winners of their last three contests. The Blue Demons went 7-7 in non-conference action prior to kicking off BIG EAST play March 13-14 with a 3-0 sweep of St. John's. DePaul boasts balanced offensive production as the Blue Demons lead the BIG EAST in scoring at 5.47 runs per game while also ranking first in the league in on-base percentage at a .393 clip. Four Blue Demons have totaled at least 15 hits and 10 RBI's. Jessica Cothern leads the way with a .383 batting average and .463 on-base percentage behind a team-high 18 hits and four home runs. Angela Scalzitti leads the BIG EAST and ranks 17th nationally with three triples on the season. Krista Dalgarn holds a 6-1 record on the season and has registered 47 strikeouts in 50.2 innings of work.

Scouting Loyola: Loyola holds a 5-15 record heading into Wednesday's meeting. The Ramblers are 1-4 in Missouri Valley action. On Sunday, Loyola dropped both contests in a doubleheader against Illinois State. Allyson Ivey leads the Ramblers behind the plate with a team-high 22 hits, 14 RBI's and three home runs. Sydney Ruggles has seen 65.1 innings of work in the circle and holds a 3.64 ERA and three victories in 14 appearances. Alicia Abbott is in her second season at the helm of Loyola's program.

Series Stuff: The Blue Demons and Ramblers will meet for the 73rd time on Wednesday afternoon. DePaul leads the all-time series 64-8 and have won the last six meetings.

Last Time Out: DePaul last took the field on March 14 and rallied from a five-run deficit after two innings to top St. John's, 9-8, and clinch the series sweep for the Blue Demons. DePaul used a four-hit, four-run sixth inning to claim the lead and secure the win. Maranda Gutierrez reached base off of a single to left field and Kate Polucha brought her home on a two RBI homer to left field to pull DePaul within striking distance at 8-7. Jessica Cothern singled to center and Tori Meyer drew a walk to put runners on first and second before Nicole Sullivan singled to right field and scored the go-ahead runs with Meyer and Zoie Rettig running home.

Next Up: DePaul returns to action on Friday, April 2 for its home opener at Cacciatore Stadium. The Connecticut Huskies visit Lincoln Park for a weekend BIG EAST series with a Friday doubleheader beginning at noon and Saturday's finale set for 11 a.m.