NEW YORK – This week’s BIG EAST Softball schedule will kick off on Thursday due to the holiday weekend. The top two teams, St. John’s and DePaul, are set to square off in Queens, N.Y. on Thursday, which will feature a doubleheader along with Saturday’s finale. The Red Storm are on a seven-game winning streak, while DePaul has won eight straight games. Also on Thursday, Providence will host Seton Hall for a doubleheader to be featured on the BIG EAST Digital Network (BEDN) starting at noon ET.
Butler (14-24, 2-6 BIG EAST) will host Eastern Illinois Wednesday evening in a midweek, non-conference clash. The Bulldogs dropped two at home last weekend to Georgetown in BIG EAST action. Butler will continue its season at Creighton with a doubleheader on Friday and the finale on Saturday.
Creighton (15-18, 3-9) took care of business at crosstown foe Omaha on Tuesday in a midweek contest. The Bluejays came away with a 5-2 victory. The Mavericks led 2-1 until Kiara Mills hit a three-run homer in the top of the fifth inning to put Creighton in front 4-2. Mills went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run. They welcome Butler on Friday for conference play.
DePaul (29-9, 8-1) escaped Illinois State in a midweek game at home on Tuesday, 6-5. Angela Scalzitti delivered a walk-off double in the ninth inning to give the Blue Demons a one-run victory. DePaul led 5-1 before the Redbirds added four runs in the sixth and seventh innings to force extras. Alysia Rodriguez provided three RBI and a run, going 3-for-4 at the plate. DePaul faces St. John’s beginning Thursday.
Georgetown (11-28, 4-6) was off during the week. The Hoyas swept Butler in a weather-shortened, two-game series last weekend. They will get set to host Villanova for a three-game series on Thursday and Friday.
Providence (24-16, 5-6) topped Harvard, 7-5, in non-conference action on Tuesday. The Friars were down 4-0 when the offense exploded with four home runs in the final four frames. Vanessa Portillo gave Providence their first lead in the fifth inning off a three-run blast. She finished 2-for-3 with five RBI, two home runs and two runs scored. The Friars will host Seton Hall for a doubleheader on Thursday, which will be carried live on BEDN, beginning at noon ET. The series finale is set for Saturday.
St. John’s (22-16, 10-1) was idle during the week. The Red Storm swept Seton Hall on the road last weekend to maintain their lead in the BIG EAST standings. They will welcome second-place DePaul starting on Thursday.
Seton Hall (17-20, 4-6) fell at Stony Brook on Tuesday in its lone midweek, non-conference contest. The Pirates will look to rebound on Thursday as they travel to Providence for a three-game league series on Thursday and Saturday.
Villanova (20-19, 4-5) plays at Towson on Wednesday for a doubleheader in non-conference action before heading to Georgetown. The series against the Hoyas features a doubleheader on Thursday, followed by the finale on Friday.
BIG EAST Softball Upcoming Schedule
Thursday, April 18
DEPAUL at ST. JOHN’S at 12 p.m.
SETON HALL at PROVIDENCE at 12 p.m. (
BEDN)
VILLANOVA at GEORGETOWN at 1 p.m.
DEPAUL at ST. JOHN’S at 2 p.m.
SETON HALL at PROVIDENCE at 2 p.m. (
BEDN)
VILLANOVA at GEORGETOWN at 3 p.m.
Friday, April 19
VILLANOVA at GEORGETOWN at 12 p.m.
BUTLER at CREIGHTON at 1 p.m.
BUTLER at CREIGHTON at 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 20
DEPAUL at ST. JOHN’S at 11 a.m.
BUTLER at CREIGHTON at 12 p.m.
SETON HALL at PROVIDENCE at 12 p.m.
All times Eastern.