Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Valparaiso ran into a pair of solid pitching performances from DePaul hurlers as the Blue Demons swept a doubleheader from Valparaiso 9-1 and 2-0 on Wednesday afternoon at the Valparaiso University Softball Field.

DePaul struck quickly in the opening game, scoring six runs in the first. Three hits, including a two-run single by Sara Polensky, three walks, and a hit batsmen accounted for all of the Blue Demon runs in the opening inning.

Valpo answered with a run in the third as Ann Sievert (Muscatine, Iowa/Assumption H.S.), who went 2-for-2 in the game, singled to lead off the inning. After a sacrifice bunt and a ground out moved her to third, Megan Carroll (Eaton Rapids, Mich./Eaton Rapids H.S.) singled to center for the Crusaders' lone run of the day.

The Blue Demons added a pair of runs in the fourth, one unearned, and capped the scoring with a lead-off homer by Marcy Wilus in the fifth.

Tracie Adix allowed just four hits while striking out two and not allowing a walk in the five inning victory for DePaul. Brittany Atteberry (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central H.S.) took the loss for Valpo.

The nightcap was a pitcher's dual. Megan Huitink faced the minimum number of hitters for the Blue Demons, allowing just one-out single to Shannon Robinson (Toronto, Ont./John Redmond H.S.) in the fifth. She was erased on a double-play one batter later. Huitink struck out six and did not walk a batter.

Chris Halstead (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral H.S.) was nearly as good for the Crusaders. She allowed just six hits and one earned run in the complete game effort.

DePaul (32-14) scored an unearned run in the third on a fielder's choice and added a run in the fifth on a homer by Jenny Doezie.

Valparaiso (8-35-1) will return to action on Friday afternoon to entertain IUPUI in a Mid-Continent Conference doubleheader. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m.