VILLANOVA, Pa. – After a five-game non-conference slate over the last week and a half, Villanova softball (19-17-1, 8-4 BIG EAST) returns to BIG EAST action with a three-game series against the DePaul Blue Demons from Apr. 12-13 at the Villanova Softball Complex.

With inclement weather in the forecast, the weekend schedule has shifted to no game Friday, a solo game on Saturday afternoon and a Sunday doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m. on the Main Line.

BATTLING THE BLUE DEMONS    
A familiar foe returns to the friendly confines of the Villanova Softball Complex this weekend as the rivalry between VU and DePaul gets renewed on Friday for the 17th time. The Blue Demons own a 32-16 edge over the Wildcats all time after dominating the early part of the series that started in 2006, though the 'Cats haven't fallen to DPU since 2022. Villanova owns the last nine matchups, sweeping both the 2023 and 2024 series with wins in two BIG EAST Tournament games also coming since 2022. Last season, Villanova swept the Blue Demons at Cacciatore Stadium, taking 7-0, 8-2 and 8-3 decisions over DePaul. Lilly St. Jean was Villanova's catalyst that weekend, totaling two doubles on Friday, two hits and three RBI on Saturday and a pair of RBI in Sunday's finale. 

DOWNED THE DRAGONS    
The Wildcats took care of Drexel on Wednesday afternoon, run-ruling the Dragons 12-0 in five innings at the Villanova Softball Complex. Lexi Kobryn threw a one-hitter through her four frames in the circle while the lineup teed off, getting multi-hit games from four different players. Brooklyn Ostrowski was one of those four with a five-RBI game featuring a two-run homer while Kelsey White belted a fourth-inning grand slam for VU. Ava Franz scored three times on a pair of hits, Ava Mahnken went 2-for-2, Elaina Wagner reached base twice and Maddie Burrows also put forth a pair of base knocks for the 'Cats.

STELLAR SENIORS    
With the COVID years now mostly expired in college softball, the Wildcats have been fortunate to feature an experienced and talented senior class that sets the tone for the rest of the team. The three traditional seniors are everyday starters, White and Wagner in the corner outfield spots while Franz has manned the shortstop position. Alexa Raphael, who redshirted her sophomore season with an injury but whose academic eligibility is a senior, has provided a valuable commodity as a speedy pinch runner for the Wildcats while super-senior Ostrowski, who redshirted her true sophomore year with a torn ACL, has turned into the everyday starter at first base. Two-time all-conference selection Franz is the team leader in hits, runs, total bases and walks, pitcher/outfielder White has 26 hits and nine doubles at the plate, Wagner adds a .297 average with nine doubles on the year and Ostrowski has six hits, two homers and eight RBI in her last two outings, contributing her first career four-hit game on Sunday at BC before a two-hit, five-RBI game versus Drexel.

DETAILS ON DEPAUL

• The Blue Demons come into the weekend at 13-21 overall, 1-11 in conference play with the lone victory coming over Seton Hall. DPU won three games at each of the DePaul Dome Tournament, UNCW Tournament and Jacksonville Tournament to open the year, but have racked up just three wins since Mar. 7.
• Baylee Cosgrove leads DePaul at the plate with a .321 average and 35 hits while Lydia Ettema adds a team-best 17 runs, four homers and 19 RBI. Addison Talbot, Bibianna Rodriguez and Morgan Rogers all hit above .280 for the Blue Demons, and Kelly Beaupre has a team-high 22 walks and .453 on-base percentage.
• DePaul has used five different pitchers for double-digit appearances in 2025, paced by Green Bay transfer Kelly Greene's 73.2 innings in 22 appearances. Bella Nigey maintains a staff-high 2.51 ERA, 51 strikeouts and .231 BAA while freshmen Hannah Messer and Ava Gusel add 42.2 and 26.1 innings respectively.

All three matchups will stream on FloCollege with statistics courtesy of StatBroadcast. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. for the first game on Sunday with the series finale approximately 30 minutes after, but all are subject to change.