NEW YORK – Six BIG EAST Softball teams picked up mid-week, non-conference wins on Tuesday and Wednesday. DePaul highlighted the victories with a crosstown defeat of Northwestern, which is receiving votes and is the first team out of the top 25 in the latest
USA Today/NFCA Coaches’ Poll. Creighton opened their home slate by pouring on six home runs against South Dakota to tie a program record.
Butler (11-20, 1-2 BIG EAST) traveled to Evansville on Tuesday and picked up a 7-1 win versus the Purple Aces. Freshman pitcher Karli Ricketts secured her third win, striking out eight and allowing just one run. The Bulldogs fell to UIC on Wednesday at home 4-2 in eight innings. Sophomore pitcher Alyssa Graves struck out seven in the loss. Butler will welcome Villanova over the weekend with a doubleheader on Saturday and the finale on Sunday.
Creighton (11-11, 1-2) grabbed a non-conference win over South Dakota on Wednesday at home, 11-5. Freshman Kiara Mills connected on two homers in the game, along with an inside-the-park home run from sophomore Ashley Cantu, and solo shots by sophomores Mileah McKelvy and Mikaela Pechar and junior Kelli Finan. The six long balls tied a program record after the Bluejays hit six last April against UMKC. Creighton will make its way to Providence for a BIG EAST weekend series beginning on Saturday.
DePaul (22-9, 2-1) picked up a crucial non-conference triumph over Big Ten leader Northwestern Wednesday evening in Evanston, Ill., by a score of 9-7. The Wildcats, just outside the top 25 poll, are 3-0 in conference play and 22-7 overall. The Blue Demons scored eight runs in the sixth inning to take the lead as sophomores Maranda Gutierrez and Kate Polucha, along with freshman Gabby O'Riley, all hit home runs. DePaul opens its home schedule by hosting Seton Hall in a single game on Saturday, followed by a double-header on Sunday.
Georgetown (9-22, 2-1) was idle during the week as it gears up to play at St. John’s in BIG EAST play over the weekend. The series features a double-header on Saturday in Queens, N.Y., and the finale is set for Sunday.
Providence (17-12, 1-2) secured two mid-week victories at home against Bryant on Tuesday and Rhode Island on Wednesday. Junior pitcher Miranda Trinidad recorded the win over the Bulldogs, 3-1, without allowing an earned run. Freshman Jessica Tomaso hit a walk-off RBI double to lift the Friars to a victory against the Rams, 4-3. The Friars will welcome Creighton for a conference series over the weekend.
St. John’s (13-15, 2-1) will look to rebound after a 25-6 non-conference loss to Stony Brook on Wednesday afternoon. The Red Storm will host Georgetown on Saturday and Sunday in BIG EAST second-week action.
Seton Hall (12-14, 2-1) captured a win Tuesday on the road at Fairfield, 9-4, in eight innings. The Pirates broke open a 4-4 stalemate in the top of the eighth off junior Darby Pandolfo’s RBI double, which led Seton Hall to a comeback win. The Hall ended the day with sixteen hits. Junior pitcher Reganne Camp secured the win in relief without allowing an earned run. Seton Hall travels to Chicago to take on DePaul over the weekend in BIG EAST play.
Villanova (16-15, 1-2) won its lone mid-week matchup, 8-7, on Wednesday at La Salle. The Wildcats went back and forth with the Explorers until they finally seized the lead in the top of the sixth for the win. Sophomore Paige Rauch led the team with three hits and three RBI while adding a solo home run. Villanova will battle Butler on the road in conference play this weekend.
BIG EAST Softball Weekend Schedule
Saturday, March 30
CREIGHTON at PROVIDENCE at 12 p.m.
GEORGETOWN at ST. JOHN’S at 12 p.m.
VILLANOVA at BUTLER at 12 p.m.
SETON HALL at DEPAUL at 1 p.m.
CREIGHTON at PROVIDENCE at 2 p.m.
GEORGETOWN at ST. JOHN’S at 2 p.m.
VILLANOVA at BUTLER at 2 p.m.
Sunday, March 31
CREIGHTON at PROVIDENCE at 11 a.m.
GEORGETOWN at ST. JOHN’S at 12 p.m.
VILLANOVA at BUTLER at 12 p.m.
SETON HALL at DEPAUL at 12 p.m.
SETON HALL at DEPAUL at 3 p.m.
All times Eastern.