CHICAGO, Ill. — The Villanova softball team begins BIG EAST play Friday against DePaul in Chicago, Illinois at Cacciatore Stadium

VU (2-18) are coming off a weekend which saw the 'Cats pick up their first win and improve offensively across the board. 

The Blue Demons (9-12) enter the weekend having lost four of their last five games. 

DePaul is led by Chelsea Parker, who is second in the BIG EAST with five home runs and is batting .414 on the season. In the circle, the Blue Demons are led by Hannah Messer, who has a 4-6 record in nine starts and a 2.35 ERA, good for third in the conference. 

Maddie Burrows was a consistent force in non-conference play, slashing .260/.380/.413, with four doubles, a triple and five RBIs. For her efforts at the UVA Party at Palmer Classic Feb. 27-March 1, Burrows was placed on the BIG EAST Honor Roll Monday. 

Lexi Kobryn broke out at the plate for the 'Cats, with the righty pitcher showing her prowess with the bat in Virginia. Kobryn picked up her career first home run and RBI last weekend as she went 5-14 with two doubles, a home run and seven RBIs. 

A familiar foe, the 'Cats are 19-32 all-time against DePaul. However, Villanova has dominated the matchup since 2022, winning 12 consecutive against the Blue Demons since March 3, 2022. 

Last season, Villanova swept DePaul at the Villanova Softball Complex April 12-13, winning by a combined 21-1. 

All three games will be steamed on ESPN+, with first pitch times set for 1 p.m. Friday and noon on both Saturday and Sunday. Live stats will be available via StatBroadcast.