DePaul loses regional title

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The No. 15th seeded DePaul softball team fell to Missouri 1-0 in the Columbia Regional title game.

Missouri advances to the Super Regional and will face the winner of the UCLA Regional.

DePaul starter Becca Heteniak (26-9) was perfect through three innings, before Rhea Taylor led off the Missouri fourth with an infield single and reached second on Blue Demon throwing error.

With the Tigers threatening to post the first run of the game, Heteniak dug deep and retired the next three batters.

Taylor gave the Tigers their second hit of the game, but this one was a homer that sailed over the left field wall to give Missouri its final 1-0 advantage with two outs in the top of the sixth.

The Blue Demons threatened in their portion of the sixth. Tarulli-Fisher reached on an error with one out and Amber Patton singled to left field all with one out. Heteniak followed and was called out on strikes, while Simone Ashkar hit into a fielder's choice.

Down to their final outs, Lauren Frankiewicz sent a hard grounder to short, but a great play by Abby Vock sent Frankiewicz back to the dugout. Pinch hitter Samantha Morgan followed and lined a shot at Missouri pitcher Chelsea Thomas, who knocked it down and it rolled straight to her second baseman for the second out of the inning. Brittney Yniguez knocked her second single of the day to give the Blue Demons new hope, but DePaul's final batter Katelyn Braget was called out on strikes.

Thomas (15-4) earned the complete game win, she finished with 7 strkeouts, 1 walk and gave up 5 hits.

Patton and Yniguez led DePaul's offense each with a 2-for-3 effort. Heteniak gave up 4 hits and collected 8 strikeouts.

The Blue Demons finish season their season 39-14.