May 4, 2010

Box Score

CHICAGO - Becca Heteniak hit a two-run home run and tossed five innings of one-hit ball to lead DePaul (33-15) to a 4-0 victory over Loyola University Chicago (19-24) this afternoon at Loyola Softball Park. Senior Amy Solava tossed 2.1 innings of scoreless relief and recorded the Ramblers' only hit on the day.

DePaul got all of the runs it would need before the Ramblers even grabbed a bat. Alex Morocco led off the game with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt before Heteniak deposited a Hilary Payne offering over the center field fence for a 2-0 DePaul lead. The Blue Demons would add another run in the top of the first when Samantha Dodd singled home Tara Voss with two outs.

Heteniak was nearly unhittable in the circle and set down the first five Ramblers before Solava smacked a line drive single to left field in the bottom of the second. Loyola would only get two more base runners in the game, both coming in the fourth inning, when the hosts mounted their biggest threat against Heteniak. Jenna Grim reached fist base on a wild pitch following a third strike and one out later, Bridget Lally drew a walk to give the Ramblers runners at first and second. Heteniak slammed the door on the Loyola threat by getting Solava to fly out to left to end the inning.

The Blue Demons tacked on an insurance run in the fifth on Brittney Yniguez's solo homer to left field and Bree Brown relieved Heteniak in the top of the sixth and shut down the Ramblers in order in the final two innings to preserve the win.

Loyola, which is still looking to secure a spot in next week's Horizon League Championship, opens a critical three-game weekend series versus Detroit with a single game at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 8. The Ramblers will recognize their senior class prior to first pitch on Saturday.