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Blue Demons' Offense in a Scoring Mood
April 18, 2012
STORRS, Conn. - The last time Kirsten Verdun pitched, one run was enough for a victory. On Wednesday, DePaul scored early and often in a 6-0 BIG EAST Conference win over Connecticut in the first game of a doubleheader. The Blue Demons jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning thanks to some clutch hitting. Verdun walked with two out and moved on to second base after Mary Connolly was hit by a pitch. Katelyn Braget came through with a single to center field that scored Verdun and both runners advanced an extra base on the throw. Samantha Dodd slashed a base hit to center that brought home Connolly and Braget. The quick strike was in sharp contrast to last weekend's three-game series against Pittsburgh at Cacciatore Stadium when DePaul scored a total of six runs. Verdun made three runs stand up for two wins against the Panthers, 2-1 last Saturday and 1-0 on Sunday. The burden on Verdun was lightened considerably on Wednesday. Dodd added to the lead by manufacturing a run on her own. The junior centerfielder reached on a one-out bunt single in the fourth and proceeded to steal second. When a pickoff throw from the catcher went awry, Dodd came around to score. DePaul (26-13, 8-2 in BIG EAST) added two more insurance runs in the sixth. Connolly coaxed a one-out walk and gave way to pinch-runner Amanda Mener. Braget reached on a fielder's choice while Mener went to second on an error. Dodd's fly ball moved both runners into scoring position and Paige Peterson responded with a two-run single to left. Verdun (18-6) went six innings, allowing just two hits while tying a season high with 11 strikeouts. Hannah Penna pitched the final inning in relief. Dodd finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs, two stolen bases and a run scored. Peterson was 1-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Braget was 1-for-3 with an RBI and two runs while Verdun was 1-for-2 with a run. After a break between games, the Blue Demons went for the sweep against Connecticut (18-18, 7-6).
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