Blue Demons Fall to UIC 2-1 in Gritty Crosstown Battle

Tuesday, March 24

Chicago, Ill.

4 p.m.

DePaul University

12-19

UIC

15-15-1

Illinois Chicago

DePaul

Morgan Rogers throws a ball in from centerfield

Blue Demons Fall to UIC 2-1 in Gritty Crosstown Battle

3/24/2026 6:43:00 PM | SOFTBALL

Box Score

Rogers hits first home run of the season in setback

CHICAGO – DePaul softball battled back and put the tying and go-ahead runs on base late, but ultimately came up just short in a tightly contested 2-1 decision against UIC Tuesday afternoon at Cacciatore Stadium.

In a game defined by strong pitching and clean defense on both sides, the Blue Demons (12-19, 3-6 BIG EAST) matched the Flames with five hits apiece and struck out just once at the plate but left eight runners stranded in the narrow setback.

Junior center fielder Morgan Rogers provided the spark for DePaul, launching her first home run of the season with a solo shot to center field in the sixth to cut the deficit to one. Both Maya Wondaal and Kailie Westphal added doubles on the afternoon, as the Blue Demons consistently put the ball in play and pressured UIC's defense.

In the circle, senior right-hander Bella Nigey kept DePaul within striking distance, tossing 5.0 innings with three strikeouts while limiting damage after an early run. Sophomore Hannah Messer was strong in relief, retiring six of seven batters faced over the final two innings and giving the Blue Demons a chance down the stretch.

How It Happened
UIC (15-15-1, 4-6 MVC) struck first with a leadoff home run, but Nigey settled in to keep it a one-run game through the middle innings. The Blue Demons threatened in the fourth, as Westphal led off with a double and moved to third, but was cut down at the plate to preserve the deficit.

The Flames added what proved to be the deciding run in the sixth on a leadoff triple followed by a sacrifice fly. DePaul answered immediately in the bottom half with Rogers' home run to make it 2-1.

Messer worked out of trouble in the seventh to hold the line, and DePaul mounted one final push. Wondaal led off the inning with a double, and Rogers later drew a walk to put the go-ahead run aboard, but UIC escaped with a pop up to end the game.

Up Next
DePaul hits the road for a three-game set at UConn, March 27-29. First pitch in Friday's opener in Storrs, Conn. is set for 2 p.m. CT. All three games will stream on ESPN+.