DePaul University
11-15, 1-3
Connecticut
16-11, 6-1
DePaul Drops Series Opener to UConn in Eight Innings
3/25/2022 4:42:00 PM | SOFTBALL
Blue Demons fall in extra innings on a Huskies walkoff homer
STORRS, Conn. — A walk-off home run for Connecticut in the bottom of the eighth inning was the difference maker in a 7-6 setback for DePaul on Friday afternoon in game one of the three-game set at Burrill Family Field.
In a back-and-forth affair that saw the lead change hands on three occasions, freshman Anna Wohlers led the way behind the plate with three RBI including the game-tying home run to send the contest into extra innings. Brooke Johnson totaled two hits including her seventh home run of the season while driving in two runs.
Natalie Halvorson went four and two-thirds innings surrendering 11 hits and six runs while Erin Hocker pitched three innings in relief giving up the go ahead run on one hit.
The top of the third saw the Blue Demons strike first on a Kate Polucha double to center field to score Gutierrez from second base.
The Huskies responded in the bottom half of the inning after a leadoff double, sacrifice bunt and RBI single up the middle to tie the score 1-1.
UConn (16-11, 6-1 BIG EAST) claimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth on a two-out solo shot to center field before adding a pair of runs on a fielding error in right field.
Johnson blasted her seventh home run of the season in the top of the fifth to bring DePaul back within a run, 4-3. Hilger scored on Johnson's seventh homer of the season after reaching on a Huskies error. Kate Polucha and Nicole Sullivan drew back-to-back walks to put runners on first and second before Wohlers roped a two-run triple to right field to claim a 5-4 lead for DePaul.
The bottom of the fifth saw the Huskies load the bases on a trio of base hits before a sacrifice to right field tied the game at 5-5. UConn retook the lead on a bases-loaded single back to Natalie Halvorson before the Blue Demons made a pitching change with Erin Hocker entering the circle.
DePaul (11-15, 1-3 BIG EAST) saw chances to score in the top of the sixth as Hilger reached on a fielder's choice and was advanced on a Johnson single to right field but neither could be advanced.
With two outs in the seventh, Wohlers came up big again with a game-tying solo shot to center field to extend the ball game.
The eighth inning saw the Blue Demons go down in order before UConn won the game in walk off fashion on a Briana Marcelino two-out solo shot to right field.
The Blue Demons will continue the three-game set on Saturday with a 12 p.m. CT matchup. The series finale is set for 10 a.m. on Sunday , March 27 from Burrill Family Field.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Sokolsky, Elise (8-3)
L: Hocker, Erin (2-6)
Batting:
2B: Polucha, Kate 1
3B: Wohlers, Anna 1
HR: Johnson, Brooke 1 ; Wohlers, Anna 1
RBI: Johnson, Brooke 2 ; Polucha, Kate 1 ; Wohlers, Anna 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Gutierrez, Maranda 1 ; Hilger, Skylor 1 ; Johnson, Brooke 1 ; Polucha, Kate 1 ; Sullivan, Nicole 1 ; Wohlers, Anna 1
HBP: Gutierrez, Maranda 1 ; Johnson, Brooke 1
Batting:
2B: Coreth, Erika 1
HR: Marcelino, Brianna 1 ; Sappington, Olivia 1
RBI: Marcelino, Brianna 4 ; Sappington, Olivia 2 ; James, Aziah 1
SH: James, Aziah 1
SF: Sappington, Olivia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Marcelino, Brianna 1 ; Garcia, Rosie 1 ; Barnett, Sami 1 ; Sappington, Olivia 1 ; Coreth, Erika 1 ; Abruscato, Giuliana 1 ; James, Aziah 1
HBP: Coreth, Erika 1
