Uconn softball beats Depaul, advances to Big East championship

CHICAGO — The Uconn women’s softball team left nothing to chance on Friday in their second elimination game of the Big East tournament, jumping out to a six-run lead in the first inning and cruising into Saturday’s championship with a 6-2 win over No. 4 seed and host Depaul at Chicago.

The top-seeded Huskies (38-17) advance to face No. 3 Villanova at noon. Uconn must win and then defeat the Wildcats again at 2:30 p.m. to claim the tournament title and automatic NCAA bid.

The Huskies jumped out to their lead on RBI singles by Jana Sanden and Reese Guevarra, a sacrifice fly and three bases-loaded walks of Blue Demons starter and loser Erin Hocker, who lasted two-thirds of an inning and walked six batters in all.

Meghan O’neil (13-7) earned the complete-game win, allowing two runs on five hits.