DePaul clinched the 2004 Conference USA Softball Tournament crown for the third straight year with a 4-2 victory over Houston on Sunday at Ulmer Stadium. The Blue Demons (29-29-1) entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed and posted a 4-1 mark. It is first time in league history that any team with a seed lower than No. 2 has claimed the title. Sarah Martz was named MVP of the Tournament. The senior set tournament records after tossing five complete games, including four wins, and pitching 37.0 innings.

The Blue Demons put up two runs early in the title game. Linda Secka led off in the first frame with a single to right field. Martz reached on an infield single and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Sarah Douglas laid a bunt down the first base line, reached first and plated Secka. Martz scored the second run on a sacrifice fly from Jenny Doezie.

The Cougars put together a two-out rally in the second to even things up. With two down, Lindsay Durham and Kim Nesloney were both walked by Martz. Jamie Adams then cranked out a two-RBI double to left center to tie the game at 2-2.

The Blue Demons regained the lead in the top of the fourth when catcher Sara Polensky knocked in shortstop Sara Bandauski on a bunt single.

Douglas added another run for DePaul when she notched her second RBI of the game with a single to center field.

Martz (23-14) notched her fourth win of the tournament, striking out six and allowing just two hits. Houston’s Crystal Briscoe (12-10) took the loss for the Cougars as UH dropped to 38-23.

The Blue Demons will head the NCAA Tournament regionals after earning the automatic bid.

All-Tournament Team
C: Arelis Ferreris, Houston
IF: Saskia Roberson, DePaul
IF: Carmela Liwag, USF
IF: Christine Sheridan, East Carolina
IF: Jenilee Skender, Houston
OF: Brooke Johnson, Houston
OF: Shannon Nord, Louisville
OF: Linda Secka, DePaul
P: Crystal Briscoe, Houston
P: Sarah Martz, DePaul
UT: Sarah Douglas, DePaul

Tournament MVP: Sarah Martz, DePaul


C-USA Tournament (Louisville, Ky.)

Thursday, May 13
Game 1 - (5) Houston 3, (4) DePaul 1
Game 2 – (3) USF 7, (6) East Carolina 1
Game 3 – (5) Houston 5, (1) Southern Miss 1
Game 4 – (3) USF 1, (2) Louisville 0

Friday, May 14
Game 5 - (6) East Carolina 6, (1) Southern Miss 0
Game 6 - (4) DePaul 5, (2) Louisville 3 (9 innings)
Game 7 - (5) Houston vs. (3) USF (postponed)

Saturday, May 15
Game - 7 (5) Houston 7, (3) USF 3
Game 8 – (4) DePaul 2, (6) East Carolina 1
Game 9 – (4) DePaul 4, (3) USF 3

Sunday, May 16
Game 10 – Championship – (4) DePaul 4, (5) Houston 2


All Times Eastern.