By Philip Rossman-ReichThe Daily Northwestern
Sophomore catcher Erin Dyer was hit by a pitch twice last weekend, forcing her to wear a protective wrap around her left elbow. But the injury did not keep her from hurting cross-town rival DePaul in Thursday’s doubleheader, Northwestern’s last two regular season games.
With NU ahead 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning of the second game, Dyer hit a two-run home run – her third of the day. The blast ended up being the difference, as the No. 7 Wildcats held on for a 7-4 win over the No. 14 Blue Demons. NU (43-10) swept the day’s games at Sharon J. Drysdale Field.
“I think I just felt really good today, ” Dyer said. “I came out ready to play. I felt really fresh today. It was just a good day.”
DePaul (36-10) cut the lead to one with a three-run sixth inning – two runs coming on junior Marcy Wilus’ home run.
The Cats answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, keeping the Blue Demons out of reach. Senior Jessica Miller hit a double to lead off the inning, followed by a bunt single by freshman Kelly Dyer. Junior Darcy Sengewald singled to score one run.
After that, senior Katie Logan lined out to shortstop, setting up a potential double play. But Sengewald just beat the tag at first, giving Kelly Dyer the time to steal home. NU had a comfortable three-run edge.
Freshman pitcher Lauren Delaney – coming off her first career no-hitter – allowed seven hits and four runs in 6 2/3 innings, striking out nine.
She spotted DePaul a one-run lead in the first inning, but the Cats came back with power.
Freshman Nicole Pauly hit a home run in the second inning to tie the score. She added one more in the fourth on a shot that missed the roof of Welsh-Ryan Arena by a few feet.
Pauly has hit six homers in her past six games, hitting one in each of the four games against Iowa and Illinois last weekend.
“With all the work we have done in the fall – lifting, getting extra reps and hitting – I think all that added up to how well we are hitting this year,” Pauly said. “I’m getting more comfortable in the box and seeing the ball real well.”
NU used power to propel them past DePaul in the first game.
The Blue Demons sent senior pitcher Tracie Adix and her 0.76 ERA to the mound, but the Cats’ offense quickly dispelled any notion of being shut down.
Sophomore shortstop Tammy Williams hit a home run in the bottom of the first inning. Then Erin Dyer added another one in the second, plus a solo shot in the fourth as the Cats won 3-0.
“I love it (when the offense is hitting home run),” senior pitcher Eileen Canney said. “It makes it a lot easier. I’m glad they are on my team.”
Canney allowed only an infield single and one walk, striking out eight.
DePaul junior Sany Vojik reached third after recording the only hit of the game in the fourth inning. But Canney got two groundouts to end the threat.
NU finished its regular season with 10 straight wins. The team has been playing some of its best ball of the season since its loss to Loyola on April 17.
“I think our team really stepped up after that game at Loyola,” coach Kate Drohan said. “We really challenged the group to make some specific adjustments and they responded in every way. Lauren Delaney has turned it on. We have offensive production throughout our lineup. Everyone has stepped up because we get excited when May comes around.”
Reach Philip Rossman-Reich at [email protected].
