DePaul Takes Down UConn 5-1 in Home Opener

Friday, April 2

Chicago, Ill.

12:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

12-7, 0

Connecticut

13-11, 0

Connecticut

DePaul

4/2/2021 3:36:00 PM | SOFTBALL

Box Score

Maranda Gutierrez powers Blue Demons past Huskies

CHICAGO – DePaul topped visiting Connecticut 5-1 in game one of Saturday's doubleheader at Cacciatore Stadium to record its fifth win in a row.

Maranda Gutierrez powered the Blue Demons offense with two hits and four RBI's on the afternoon behind a double to center and two-run homer to left.

DePaul (12-7, 4-0 BIG EAST) put three runs up in the bottom of the third to get the scoring started. Jessica Cothern tallied a two-out double to center field before Brooke Johnson knocked in a single to left field to score pinch runner Julyana Gomez. Gutierrez came to bat and blasted a two-run homer over the left field wall to make it 3-0.

UConn (13-11, 5-2 BIG EAST) crossed the plate in the fifth inning to narrow the deficit to two. Hollis Wivell knocked a single to third base and was brought home off of a Emily Piergustavo RBI double to center.

The bottom of the fifth saw the Blue Demons tack on two more insurance runs. Kate Polucha drew a leadoff walk before being forced out on the Cothern fielder's choice. Johnson took a base and Cothern advanced to second to bring Gutierrez to bat. The senior shortstop took a double to center to bring the runners home and give DePaul a 5-1 lead.

Natalie Halvorson improved to 4-3 on the season allowing just four hits in four innings and one earned run. The senior threw four strikeouts and did not surrender a walk.

DePaul and UConn resume play for game two this afternoon before the series finale on Saturday morning slated for an 11 a.m. CT first pitch.