DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
Connecticut
Blue Demons Ready for Weekend Series at Connecticut
3/24/2022 5:01:00 PM | SOFTBALL
DePaul tangles with Connecticut in three-game series
CHICAGO — DePaul softball returns to BIG EAST play this weekend when it visits the Connecticut March 25-27 for a three game set at Burrill Family Field.
The Blue Demons and Huskies will meet for a game apiece Friday-Sunday with the series kicking off March 25 at 2 p.m. CT and the finale taking place on March 27 at 10 a.m. All three contests will be streamed on FloSports with a subscription required.
Blue Demon Notes: The Blue Demons are led by a veteran-group with five graduate students and a core group on contributing juniors and seniors. Brooke Johnson leads the way in almost every offensive category including average (.364), on-base (.462), runs (21), hits (28), RBI (22) and home runs (6).
Shortstop Maranda Gutierrez is putting together a bright fifth-year campaign batting .351 and putting together 27 hits including seven for an extra base. Kate Polucha, Tori Meyer and Nicole Sullivan are all threats to drive in runs with 14 or more RBI on the season. Skylor Hilger provides speed on the base paths with a team-high four stolen bases on the season.
In the circle, DePaul has utilized a three-pitcher rotation with Erin Hocker, Natalie Halvorson and Sarah Lehman throwing the innings. Hocker owns a 3.62 ERA in 10 appearances while Lehman and Halvorson have combined for 84 strikeouts on the season.
Scouting the Huskies: Connecticut enters the weekend 15-11 on the season after picking up a 5-4 win over Army on Wednesday. The Huskies are 5-1 in BIG EAST play after sweeping St. John's in opening weekend of action and taking two from Georgetown last weekend. Briana Marcellino leads the Huskies behind the plate with a .366 average and nine RBI on the season. Reese Guevarra is batting .310 while driving in a team-high 17 runs. Freshman Rosie Garcia has totaled a team-best five home runs while drawing 14 walks. Meghan O'Neil leads the pitching staff with a 3.35 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched. Laura Valentino is in her second season at the helm of the program and is 37-31.
Series History: DePaul leads the all-time series with the Huskies 19-4. The Blue Demons swept the league series with UConn last season at Cacciatore Stadium.
Up Next: Following the trip to the northeast, DePaul returns home to Cacciatore Stadium to face preseason BIG EAST favorite Villanova April 1-3.
