DePaul Splits Series with Villanova

Chicago IL

12 April, 2021

6:39 AM

Description

DePaul went to Villanova for a three game series beginning Saturday, but their hits didn't arrive for the first game. The Blue Demons lost 2-0 with Angela Scalzitti, Skylor Hilger and Jessica Cothern each getting one hit and three players getting walks. Krista Dalgarn was the tough luck loser. She pitched a complete game, allowing only six hits and four walks, while striking out three en route to her second loss of the season. DePaul came back in the night cap, beating Villanova 3-2. The Blue Demons didn't get much offense, but they got enough with Natalie Halvorson's stellar pitching performance. After a scoreless first inning, Gabby O'Riley and Maranda Gutierrez got hit by pitches, followed by a Nicole Sullivan infield single to load the bases. A passed ball gave DePaul a 1-0 lead. The game remained 1-0 until the seventh. Sullivan tripled to start the inning. Grace Frazier got an infield single, but Sullivan remained at third. Kate Polucha hit a bounder to score Sullivan. Cothern singled, driving in Frazier abd making it 3-1. This was the 200th hit of Cothern's fine career. Villanova put two on the board in the bottom of the seventh, to put a bit of a scare into the Blue Demons, but still fell short. Once again, Halvorson worked her way out of a jam. Halvorson went the distance, allowing five hits and seven walks, but striking out eight. It was a gritty performance by Halvorson, who improved to 5-3 on the season. Sunday's game was canceled due to inclement weather. The Blue Demons now stand at 16-8 (7-1 in BIG EAST play). They travel to Illinois State for a single game on Tuesday, before returning home for a three game series against Creighton starting on Saturday.