May 16, 2009

| Quotes | Notes | NCAA Regional Central

COLUMBIA, Mo. - DePaul defeated Bradley in game five of the Columbia, Mo., NCAA Softball Regional, 2-1, to advance to the championship game against No. 2 seed Missouri. Fourth-seeded Bradley knocked off the No. 1 seeded Blue Demons in their first match of the regional but, was eliminated from the tournament after suffering their second loss of the day.

DePaul's pitcher Becca Heteniak allowed only one hit over seven innings, managing eight strikeouts and allowing one unearned run for the win. Heteniak now stands at 26-8 on the year. Bradley's one run off Heteniak came in the first inning when Janay Mitchell and Alycia Bachora attempted a double steal and catcher Simone Ashkar overthrew third baseman Amber Patton to allow Mitchell to advance home.

DePaul answered in the fifth off of Bradley's pitcher Ashley Birdsong when Amber Patton doubled off the left field wall to score Shea Warren and pinch runner Lynsey Ciezki. Birdsong took the loss giving up two earned runs on four hits with six strikeouts through seven innings to finish her season with a 20-12 record.

DePaul will face Missouri Sunday, May 17, at 1 p.m. (CT). Missouri only needs one win to claim the regional title while DePaul, coming out of the loser's bracket, must take two from the Tigers to advance to the Super Regionals.