The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Depaul
Softball Falls To No. 18 DePaul
5/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 4, 2002
CHICAGO - Eighteenth-ranked DePaul (42-9, 19-1 Conference USA) swept a doubleheader from UAB (36-19, 14-9 C-USA), winning game one 12-0 and taking game two 8-4, in Conference USA softball action at Wish Field.
In game one, DePaul jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning behind RBIs from shortstop April Valdez and catcher Gina Ramacci, who each had two apiece in the inning.
DePaul's other big inning came in the bottom of the third, as the Blue Demons exploded for six runs, highlighted by first baseman Saskia Roberson's two-run homer to left field.
The Blue Demons added a run in the bottom of the fourth inning and after pitcher Lindsay Chouinard retired UAB in order in the top of the fifth inning the game was called due to the NCAA Softball Division I "eight-run rule," which states that a team that leads by eight or more runs after five innings of play shall be declared the victor.
Chouinard (24-4) threw her third no-hitter of the season and the sixth of her career, as she worked five innings and had seven strikeouts and no walks. Megan Stephenson (14-9) took the loss for UAB after pitching four innings and allowing 12 runs, eight earned on 14 hits.
In game two, DePaul took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with right fielder Christina Douglas' two-run homer to left center field.
The Blue Demons added two runs in the bottom of the second inning on first baseman Sarah Douglas' two-run homer to right center.
UAB answered with two runs in the top of the third inning. Second baseman Beth Mullins singled to left field, bringing in pitcher Kerri Foster and shortstop Candice Hithe.
DePaul took a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the third on Valdez's triple to left center field that scored Christina Douglas.
The Blue Demons posted three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Third baseman Katy Kukman hit a two-run homer to left field to start the scoring for DePaul in the fourth. Second baseman Liz Bouck was able to score from third base later in the inning when Sarah Martz stole second base.
UAB added two runs in the top of the fifth inning. Mullins got her fourth RBI of the game, as she doubled to left field scoring center fielder Sara Christophel and Foster. Martz (12-3) picked up the win for DePaul after working five innings and giving up four runs, two earned, on four hits, walking three and striking out five. Chouinard worked two innings in relief of Martz and had three strikeouts.
Foster (13-7) took the loss for UAB. She pitched three innings and gave up five runs on four hits, walked two and struck out three. Kelli Thompson worked three innings in relief of Foster and gave up three runs on five hits.
UAB and DePaul will meet in the final game of the series at Wish Field tomorrow at noon.
