An eight-run third inning was the difference Sunday as host DePaul took a 9-3 win over Butler in the series finale in Chicago, Ill.

DePaul captured all three games in the weekend series. Including Sunday's result, Butler is now 7-8 in BIG EAST play and 20-25 overall.

The BIG EAST-leading Blue Demons are now 12-3 in conference play and 30-14 on the season.

Claire Gilliland belted her fourth home run of her freshman campaign. Her solo shot to left center briefly gave Butler a 2-1 lead in the second inning. Junior Jenna Foreman had two of Butler's five hits. She also scored two runs and registered her 33^rd stolen base of the season, extending her school record for a single season.

Kennedy Garcia took the win for DePaul. She allowed four hits and four walks in six innings of work in the circle. Two of the Bulldogs' three runs were earned. She is 6-4 on the season.

DePaul's eight-run third inning was highlighted by an Angela Scalzitti grand slam. Earlier in the frame, Megan Leyva had a two-run double.

Alyssa Graves got the start and took the loss for Butler. She, Kaitlin Doud and Gabbi Schnaiter eached pitched two innings. DePaul had eight hits.

The Bulldogs travel to St. John's next week for the regular season-ending series. Butler is still in the hunt to qualify for the four-team BIG EAST Tournament, but will need to sweep the three-game series in Queens, N.Y.