Blue Eagles Escape DePaul

For the third time this season, the Blue Eagles met the DePaul Spartans, this time in the fourth round of the NJSIAA Tournament and a shot at the State Title Saturday. The Blue Eagles had the series lead having won both of their previous regular season meetings, but the Spartans refused to be intimidated striking first and opening up a 1-0 lead when Micaela Mueller batted in Abigail Symons.

The lead was held through the majority of the game thanks to the stellar pitching of Chelsea Batelli who went seven innings striking out 10 batters. But IHA would not be denied keeping the game close thanks to Steph Thomas striking out eight batters and holding DePaul to one run. In the bottom of the seventh with two outs, the Blue Eagles struck when Lauren Currens scored from first to tie the game followed by Ally Vergona driving in Rachel Pollard for the win and a date Saturday to play for the New Jersey Non-Public State Championship in Toms River.