DePaul’s Late Rally Falls Short in Series Finale

Sunday, April 30

Chicago, Ill.

12:00 P.M. CT

DePaul University

14-30, 0

Connecticut

32-13, 0

Connecticut

DePaul

DePaul’s Late Rally Falls Short in Series Finale

4/30/2023 4:15:00 PM | SOFTBALL

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Blue Demons held off in one-run loss to BIG EAST leaders

CHICAGO – The final home game of the 2023 DePaul softball season had all the makings of a classic, but the Blue Demons came up just short as the lead changed hands twice in the final two innings and Connecticut came away victorious 4-3 on Sunday afternoon.

In front of a boisterous senior day crowd at Cacciatore Stadium, the Blue Demons battled back from a two-run deficit to claim a one-run lead heading into the final frame but it wasn't enough as the first-place Huskies dashed the hopes of a series sweep.

Senior outfielder Tori Meyer drove in the game's first run, while making a few marvelous defensive plays in center field. Carly Alvers drove in the tying-run and reached a second time on a walk. Riley Pool pushed the third run across in the sixth.

Brooke Johnson notched an extra-base hit to go along with a walk and a run. Left fielder Addison Talbot also registered sixth double of the season.

Right-hander Katey Pierce went six and two-thirds, surrendering eight hits and three earned runs while allowing just one free pass. Freshman Abbey Pochie entered in relief and secured the final out in the top of the seventh. Pierce fell to 2-4 on the season.

How it Happened
UConn hung two runs in the first inning as a pair of base hits worked into scoring position on stolen bases. A two-RBI double in the third at bat of the game put the visitors in front 2-0 early.

The bottom of the third inning saw DePaul leave runners on the corners after Sullivan drew a walk and Cosgrove notched an infield base hit.

Seven batters came to the dish in the home half of the sixth as the Blue Demons plated three runs to take the lead. Johnson started the inning with a double down the left field line for Meyer to come to the plate and switch places with Johnson for the first run of the outing. In the very next at bat, Alvers brought Meyer around on a double to left field to knot the score at 2-2. A groundout advanced Alvers 60 feet to third and Pool reached on a fielding error to push Alvers home and give DePaul a one-run advantage.

The Huskies put together a two-run, two-out rally in the seventh inning to reclaim the lead. After Pierce threw her second strikeout of the game, a two-base single to right field put runners in scoring position, but a throwing error on the relay allowed the tying run to run home from third. As the order flipped to the top, a first-pitch single to center plated the go-ahead run as UConn claimed a 4-3 lead.

Down to three outs, the Blue Demons loaded up the bases but couldn't push a run across coming up just short of the series sweep. Sullivan walked, Cosgrove singled up the middle and Johnson drew a four-pitch walk but none would be advanced.

Up Next
The Blue Demons will close out the regular season with a trip to our Washington, D.C. for a series against Georgetown, May 5-7.