May 5, 2004
CHICAGO -- After being held in check in the first game of a Wednesday doubleheader, DePaul's bats broke through in the second to claim a 6-2 win over Northwestern in six innings.
It was the Wildcats who, true to form, took the game's first lead. Freshman designated player Garland Cooper picked up right where she left off in the first game, slamming a two-run home run to left in top of the third inning.
The blast was her 10th of year, extending her own NU single-season record and giving her 41 RBIs on the year, earning her the single-season RBI crown by herself as well. The Mission Viejo, Calif., product hit a three-run shot in the top of the 11th inning of the first contest.
NU (30-16) has held a lead at some point in 39 of its 46 games this season.
DePaul scored its first run of the day in the bottom half the third after two Wildcat fielding errors allowed Ashley Parker to score, cutting the Northwestern lead to 2-1.
With freshman Megan Hinck riding a no-hitter into the fourth inning of her first career start, Saskia Roberson hit a laser beam into right field, but Erin Mobley gunned her out at first to preserve the no-no.
"Megan pitched very well today," NU head coach Kate Drohan said. "I'm very proud of how she performed in her first start."
Christina Douglas broke up the no-hitter for DePaul on the very next pitch, hitting a solid single into left field. Linda Secka then hit a deep fly ball that sent centerfielder Sheila McCorkle crashing into the fence in a valiant attempt to reel it in. The play went for an inside-the-park home run, and McCorkle left the game.
The Blue Demons (23-27-1) would add three more runs in the fifth frame. Due to the length of NU's 11-inning victory in the first game, the second contest was called early due to darkness.
Hinck (0-1) took the loss for the Wildcats in five innings of work, but picked up her first career hit with a single up the middle in the sixth inning. Eileen Canney pitched the sixth for NU. She also pitched the final inning of the first game, striking out all six batters she faced on the day.
Sarah Martz (18-12) earned the complete game victory for DePaul.
Northwestern returns to action at noon CST Saturday at Michigan State.