(May 18, 2002)

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2002 Division I Softball Regional 2
 DePaul 5 Defeats Minnesota 3

MINNEAPOLIS MN (May 18, 2002) A triple RBI in the bottom of the first inning by the DePaul Blue Demons, set the tone for game ten of the 2002 NCAA Region II Championships in Minneapolis this evening. The Blue Demons got on the scoreboard when April Valdez tripled to left center, advancing Shavaughne Desecki to home plate followed by Sarah Martz and Liz Bouck. Minnesota pitcher Piper Marten was relieved at the circle by Angie Recknor. DePaul's Gina Ramacci hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield allowing Valdez to score, giving the Blue Demons the 4-0 edge.

DePaul continued to play strong, with pinch runner Laura Visin (in for Gina Ramacci) advancing to second on a single and stealing third in the bottom of the fourth. A single by Katy Kukman brought Visin home, bringing the Blue Devils to a 5-0 lead over the Gophers.

In the top of the sixth inning, Minnesota answered with a home run by Jordanne Nygren which brought Stephanie Sward and Tammi Hays home and brought the score to 5-3, DePaul. The home run ended Blue Demons pitcher Lindsay Chouinard's streak of 49 and 2/3 innings without an unearned run, 43 and 2/3 of which came in regional tournament action. However, Minnesota's attack was not enough to top DePaul. The final score was DePaul 5, Minnesota 3.

DePaul advances to play Arizona tomorrow in the championship game at 12 noon. If Arizona wins, they have take the title, but if DePaul wins, another game will follow at 2:30 to determine the 2002 NCAA Region II Champion.

Quotes

DePaul Head Coach Eugene Lenti
"It was a marathon day for Lindsay (Chouinard), myself and DePaul. You just saw a spectacular pitching performance from both pitchers. We got some great hits."

On using Lindsay Chouinard Sunday ...
"Yes we're going to use her. Go with who brought you to the dance."

DePaul Pitcher Lindsay Chouinard
On being tired ... "Sure my arm was tired. It was a building process. Obviously, I wasn't my sharpest in the game."

In the championship game ... "I'll just do whatever the team needs me to do tomorrow. I'm just trying to keep them in the game."

Minnesota co-head coach Lisa Bernstein
"Obviously, we want to give a lot of credit to DePaul. We expected to win that ballgame and we came up short."

On Piper Marten ...
"She had a good warmup. She was excited and ready to go. They hit her pitches. At this point of the season its now or never. Tiredness didn't affect Piper tonight."

Minnesota co-head coach Julie Standering
"Throughout the tournament this team has matured a lot. We had one starter that had seen postseason play. The fight, tenacity and never give up attitude -- I was very pleased with that."  "Throughout the postseason we had some sophomores and juniors to step up. They are going to be some great leaders."

Jordanne Nygren
On Lindsay Chouinard's pitching ...
"It took me eight at bats to catch on to the changeup. She was just as strong as she was yesterday. She attacked her plan and did her job. She's a good pitcher."

[Source: NCAA]