The Zero Hour - Web exclusive
Pitchers blank Region 8, Demons head to World Series
David Brown
Managing Editor
[Box Score]

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Eugene Lenti rubbed the lucky pebbles, using every bit of help he could get his hands on.

     "Still got the pebbles. Got 'em from them," the DePaul softball coach said, instructing his daughters to wave at the gathered media.

     Lenti's girls (Alexandria, 7, Gena, 5, and Catherine, 1) entrusted the auspicious stones to their father do their part in aiding the Blue Demons' return to the Women's College World Series.

     Stones, shutouts, whatever it takes.

     Freshman Lindsay Chouinard pitched 4 1-3 innings of one-hit relief as the Blue Demons indeed earned a berth in WCWS for the second straight year, beating the University of Michigan 3-0 Sunday.

     Chouinard and junior Ashley Ivey, who combined to throw every inning of the regional for the Blue Demons, didn't surrender a run over 27 innings pitched. In four games, DePaul dominated, outscoring its opponents 17-0.

     "Even I can't screw up a game when your team doesn't allow a run," Lenti said.

     "It was all DePaul," Michigan coach Carol Hutchins said. "They came in and made it look easy."

     Chouinard, who improved to 18-8, was herself amazed at the DePaul pitching success.

     "To not allow a run is pretty unbelievable," Chouinard said. "We hit our spots and made the ball move. That was the key."

     The Blue Demons play the University of Washington on Thursday in Oklahoma City to open play.

     DePaul finished No. 3 in the country last year after a successful run to the Series. But the Blue Demons lost five starting players from that team, and held only a No. 5 seed entering Ann Arbor.

     "This group of kids was under a great burden of their own expectations, based on what last year's team did," head coach Eugene Lenti said. "It was not from the outside, but from within."

     "We as coaches tried not to bring up last year, but I know it was in the kids' back of their minds all of the time," Lenti said. "And you saw the senior leadership we got today."

     The Demons jumped on Michigan freshman Marissa Young in the first, scoring three times before the Wolverines could bat.

     After Liz Bouck off with a bunt single, Jenny Davis reached on a fielder's choice when Young tried to force Bouck at second. After a wild pitch, Shavaughne Desecki was walked intentionally. Chouinard lifted to ball into right for a possible sacrifice fly, but Bouck did not tag at third. Julie Luna then hit a 2-RBI single to left, advancing Desecki to third, and took second on the throw. Tami Bouck followed with an RBI single to give DePaul their final margin.

     Starting pitcher Ivey was ejected in the third for repeatedly failing to maintain contact with the pitching rubber as she delivered home. But Chouinard had warmed-up and ready to come in.

     "It was unfortunate Ashley couldn't stay in the game," Lenti said. "She was pitching no different than she was the other day against Notre Dame. But we knew Lindsay was ready to roll."

     Chouinard entered the third with a runner on third base and two out, but she struck out Stefanie Volpe to end the mild threat, and only allowed but a single the rest of the way.

     "She did a great job of working the corners all weekend," Lenti said. "That's where great pitchers make their living."

     "I thought they had a great team last year, but to not have a run scored on you is incredible," Hutchins said.

     "It was the same story the whole tournament for us," Lenti said. "Timely hitting, fantastic defense and great pitching."

     If the pitchers and the pebbles continue to come through, DePaul might get its first national crown since the men's basketball team won the NIT in 1945.

     "It's a phenomenal thing, because no other DePaul team, in any sport, has ever competed for a National championship two years in a row," Lenti said. "With all the great teams we've had through the years, it's saying something."