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USF Takes Game Two of the Doubleheader
TAMPA, Fla. USF used a five run first inning to propel the Bulls to a 5-1, BIG EAST Conference victory over No. 20/25 DePaul, Friday at the USF Softball Complex. The loss snaps the Blue Demons eight game-inning streak as DePaul falls to 31-13 and 8-4 in league play. The Bulls improve to 37-13 and 11-2 in conference play. USF’s Tara Toscano and Kit Dunbar led off the first inning with singles and Brita Giddens followed with a base clearing triple. Still with no outs, Jo Jo Media took a walk before Cat Olnick connected on a three-run home run to give USF a 5-0 lead. DePaul starter Lauren Frankiewicz (8-6) would retire the next three batters, but the damage was done and the Blue Demons were forced to play catch up. The Blue Demons’ only run of the ballgame came in the third inning when Tara Voss roped a single to left field with no outs. Voss’ single would score Brittney Yniguez, who walked to begin the inning. DePaul would leave runners at second and third Capri Catalono retired the Blue Demons number three, four and five batters. Catalono (12-0) continued to hit her stride in the final four innings. She finished with five strike outs and scattered four hits. DePaul’s Amber Patton stretched her hitting streak 15 games with a 2-for-3 showing at the plate. Patton has registered multiple hits in 17 games this season and is batting a team-high .403. Frankiewicz suffered the loss and all five runs were earned. She struck out seven and gave up five hits. The Blue Demons and Bulls split the conference doubleheader. DePaul won game one, 6-3. DePaul returns to the diamond on Sunday in Louisville. The first game of the league doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m. (CST) and can be seen live on ESPNU. Beth Mowins and Cindy Bristow will handle the announcing duties.
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