Softball Downs Wisconsin - DePaul University Official Athletic Site

Softball Downs Wisconsin

Senior Saskia Roberson knocked her 50th home run of her career to propel the Blue Demons to a 6-0, win over Wisconsin in the NCAA Regional. The Blue Demons will play the winner of Oregon State/Wisconsin Green-Bay Saturday afternoon at Noon.

MADISON, Wisc. – The DePaul sophomore pitching duo of Tracie Adix and Megan Huitink held the Wisconsin Badgers scoreless in the opening game of the NCAA Region 8 tournament. DePaul won the game, 6-0 and will play the winner of the Oregon State/Wisconsin Green Bay at 12:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Adix got the start for the Blue Demons and Huitink came in for relief in the bottom of fourth with two outs. The duo combined for 10 strikeouts and gave up two hits, while walking just one batter.

The Blue Demons (41-18) got a hit from every spot in the line-up, with eight of the nine starters recording a hit.

Wisconsin’s lead off batter, Kris Zacher started the ballgame with a double to right center, but Adix was able to retire the next three batters. Adix struck out the first and last batters looking and got the middle batter to ground out to first baseman, Saskia Roberson.

Roberson sent her 50th career home run over the center field fence to give the Blue Demons a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Roberson’s homer scored freshman second baseman Sandy Vojik, who reached on an error by Badger first baseman, Katie Hnatyk.

The Blue Demons loaded the bases to begin the third inning. Senior outfielders Dana Kenney and Ashley Parker started the inning with singles and Vojik reached on error. Kenny scored on a wild pitch from Wisconsin starter Eden Brock and Parker crossed the plate on sophomore Linda Secka’s ground out to the UW short stop.

Wisconsin (31-23) threatened to score in the bottom of the fifth as Anastasia Miller singled up the middle to lead off inning; but Adix struck out the next two batters. Miller stole second as UW’s second batter struck out looking. Sophomore pitcher Megan Huitink entered the game with two outs and got Zacher to ground out to first base.

Vojik ignited the Blue Demons bats going in the bottom of the fifth inning, singling to the left side with one out. Roberson was hit by a pitch and sophomore short stop Jessica Evans cleared the bases with a double to right field. The Blue Demons ended the fifth with a 6-0 lead.

Brock (20-10) registered the loss for Wisconsin she gave up nine hits and fanned six Blue Demon batters.

Demon Notes…

Roberson has hit a home run in her last three NCAA Regional appearances. Roberson had two home runs in both her sophomore (2003) and junior (2004) Regionals. The Blue Demons were in Ann Arbor, Michigan both in 2003 and 2004.

Roberson needs three more RBI to break the Conference USA record for most RBI in a career. The current record (175) is held by Houston’s Kristen Glowaz (2002-05).

The Blue Demons have won at least one game in their last nine NCAA Tournament appearances. The streak dates back to 1997.