Huskies too fierce for softball
By Patrick Rose
Sports Editor

Lindsay Chouinard, one of the driving forces behind the softball team traveling to the world series, held the Huskies to two hits in her four innings pitched in yesterday’s game.Photo by Norman Ng/ The Michigan Daily

     The name Jennifer Spediacci is an ugly one if you are an opposing hitter, and especially if you were in a DePaul uniform yesterday. Spediacci pitched almost flawlessly in the 3-2 victory over DePaul in the first round of the College World Series in Oklahoma City.

     Spediacci made only one mistake, and that came in the first inning after Liz Bouck bunted safely. And then a batter later, Shavaughne Desecki knocked out a two-run homer over the left-center field fence to give DePaul a 2-0 lead.

     But after that the Blue Demon bats would remain silent as Spediacci would pitch six innings of no-hit ball.

     “Obviously she came back to do a very nice job,” said Washington head coach Teresa Wilson. “I think she got stronger each inning.”

     Spediacci has been close to unbeatable this year with a 34-4 record and a 0.62 ERA. The Huskies’ bats exploded in the top of the second inning when Jaime Clark started things off with a solo shot that carried over the left field fence off of DePaul starter Vanessa Saavedra, to cut the DePaul lead in half. Spediacci would then help herself out with a single to left field.

Liz Bouck’s play at shortstop (right) has helped solidify DePaul’s defense. Tatum Allen (above, running) provides dynamic play as the starting catcher. Bouck photo by  Marjorie Marshall/Michigan Daily Allen photo by  Norman Ng/Michigan Daily

     Spediacci moved to second base on a Melissa Downs sacrifice bunt, and one out later Graves singled to put runners on the corners. Lindsay Chouinard then came in for relief duty to face Rosie Leutzinger. Leutzinger then belted a two-run double on a 2-0 curveball over Jenny Davis, who was playing shallow left field. Both Spediacci and Graves scored on the double to give Washington the 3-2 lead.

     “It wasn’t probably my best pitch. It was a 2-0 count, I didn’t really want to walk to get bases loaded,” Chouinard said.

     Leutzinger was not too surprise over the placement of Davis. “With a slapper you have to play in between.”

     “It was miscommunication on my part,” said DePaul head coach Eugene Lenti, who wanted Davis to play a little bit deeper.

     Despite the loss to Washington, DePaul remains focus for the rest of the weekend. “If we play this well for the rest of the tournament, we will see Washington again,” Desecki said.

     DePaul will play Alabama tomorrow at noon in an elimination game.