DePaul Rallies To Win #BIGEASTsb Championship
Blue Demons erase six-run deficit with eight-run sixth inning to beat Villanova, 11-10, in tournament final.
BOX SCORE
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The final to the 2019 BIG EAST Softball Championship presented by Jeep was one for the record books as No. 2 seed DePaul rallied from a late-game six-run deficit to defeat No. 4 seed Villanova, 11-10.
The highest scoring title game in league history saw the Blue Demons score eight runs in the sixth inning to claim their third straight BIG EAST crown and fifth overall. DePaul punches its NCAA Championship ticket for the 21
st time in program history. Sophomore pitcher Natalie Halvorson was named the BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player after picking up both of the Blue Demons’ wins in the circle this weekend.
As they did in their semifinal win versus St. John’s, the Wildcats started off strong once again, scoring two in the top of the first on RBI singles by Lauren Hanna and Julia DaCosta sent home BIG EAST Player of the Year Paige Rauch and Delaney Switzer. With two outs in the top of the third, DaCosta smacked an RBI single through the gap into left field to add another run on the board for the Wildcats. In the bottom half of the inning, junior Jessica Cothern pulled the Blue Demons within a run, 3-2, with a two-run homer over the left field fence. With two outs in the inning, freshman Gabby O’Riley knocked a single into right field to tie the game, 3-3.
The Wildcats tacked on a pair of runs in the fourth and fifth, which included a home run by Rauch and two RBI by Switzer. With two more runs at the top of the sixth, Villanova led 9-3 as DePaul faced its final six outs. With Taylor Young striking out, the Blue Demons faced a six-run deficit with five outs remaining. Brianna Viles singled to center before Erin Andris drove her home with a double. After another strikeout pitched by Rauch, Maranda Gutierrez was hit by a pitch to put two on with two outs. A double by Cothern sent Andris home and Gutierrez to third before Morgan Greenwood blasted a three-run shot over the center field fence to make it a one-run game, 9-8.
DePaul wasn’t done there as Kalee Smith replaced Rauch in the circle and immediately walked Kate Polucha. After Angela Scalzitti reached on an error, Gabby O’Riley sent Polucha home on a single to tie the game, 9-9. With O’Riley on second and and Scalzitti on third, Brianna Viles doubled to send both home and give DePaul an 11-9 lead to close out the inning.
After surrendering eight runs in the sixth, Villanova made one last stab at regaining the lead as Switzer jacked a solo home run with one out to bring the game to 11-10. Hanna walked to put the go-ahead run at the plate, but Krista Dalgarn pitched the final two outs (ground out, fly out) for the save to complete the comeback.
Halvorson was joined on the All-Tournament Team by fellow Blue Demons Cothern, Greenwood and Polucha. Villanova’s Angela Giampolo, Sara Kennedy and Switzer were honored, along with Jackie Martin of Providence and Gretchen Bowie of St. John’s.
DePaul’s 11 runs are the most in a BIG EAST Championship title game, while the 21 combined runs were the most in any BIG EAST postseason game. DePaul’s four doubles match the BIG EAST Championship record, while Cothern’s four hits and two doubles also match the single-game bests.
This was Villanova’s first BIG EAST Championship final appearance since 2003. The Wildcats, under first-year head coach Bridget Orchard, finished the season 29-24. DePaul improves to 34-14 under first-year head coach Tracie Adix-Zins. The Blue Demons will learn their NCAA Championship location and opponents during tomorrow night’s Selection Show, set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
2019 BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Natalie Halvorson, DePaul, So., P
2019 BIG EAST All-Tournament Team
Jessica Cothern, DePaul, Jr., C/3B
Morgan Greenwood, DePaul, Sr., C/3B
Natalie Halvorson, DePaul, So., P
Kate Polucha, DePaul, So., OF
Angela Giampolo, Villanova, So., INF
Sara Kennedy, Villanova, Fr., P
Delaney Switzer, Villanova, Sr., INF
Jackie Martin, Providence, Sr., C/UT
Gretchen Bowie, St. John’s, Jr., UT