Softball Celebrates its Success of 2007
6/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
"The 2007 season is one that I will never forget, it was phenomenal! I had the time of my life with this group," head coach Eugene Lenti said. "They are just a great group and I don’t know if there will ever be a group like them. They have a special place in DePaul history.”
The 2007 team made the program's fourth Women's College World Series appearance and finished the NCAA Championship with a 6-2 mark. The Blue Demons compiled a 47-13 record and went 20-0 in BIG EAST Conference play to win DePaul's first ever the regular season title in any sport. DePaul became just the second team in the BIG EAST to win 20 games, while they became the fourth team to go undefeated in league play. The 2007 team is also the first team in BIG EAST history to represent the league at the WCWS.
Senior right-handed pitcher Tracie Adix was named the team's Most Outstanding Player after finishing the season with a 0.89 ERA and a 22-4 record in the circle.Adix was named a NFCA/Louisville Slugger second team All-American and was also named the BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year. Adix did not allow a run in 23 and two-thirds innings during the NCAA Championship and led DePaul to wins over seven ranked opponents.
Senior left fielder Kate Sheaks was named the squad's most improved player after upping her batting average from .272 as a junior to .311 as a senior. As one of the team's captains, she was third on the squad with eight home runs and boasted an on base percentage of .503 in 2007. Sheaks was also one of three Blue Demons to earned first team All-BIG EAST accolades. The senior was a NFCA/Louisville Slugger second team All-Mideast selection, second team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District and was a finalist for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.
Senior Jess Evans and freshman Shea Warren shared the team's Most Valuable Defensive award. The tandem patrolled the middle infield, with Evans at second and Warren at shortstop. Evans did not have an error in her last 17 games and finished the season with a .952 fielding percentage. Warren made unbelievable plays at short stop all season and helped turn DePaul's first ever triple play. The freshman had 11 putouts and 24 assists during the NCAA Championship.
Sophomore Amber Patton and junior Sandy Vojik shared the team's Most Valuable Offensive award. Patton led the team with a .340 average and finished the season with the 11th-most sacrifices per game in the country. Patton's ability to move runners during the 2007 campaign broke her 2006 sacrifice record as she finished this season with 23. Patton was second on the team with 52 hits, but lead the squad with 45 singles. Vojik cemented her named into the Blue Demon record books as she smashed 13 home runs to tie for the fourth most in school history. The junior led the team with two triples, a .630 slugging percentage and .439 on base percentage. Vojik finished second on the team with 36 RBI and 15 stolen bases. She was also named second team All-BIG EAST as a utility player.
Senior Cara Santori was the inaugural winner of the "The Dave Bandauski" Coaches Award. Mr. Bandauski lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in February 2007. Following his passing, the team dedicated the season to him, vowing to play and live each day as their last. "Instead of 'carpe diem,' we played with 'carpe momentum', in honor of Dave Bandauski," Lenti said.
Mr. Bandauski was the father of former DePaul shortstop Sara Bandauski. His love for his daughter and his passion for DePaul softball was evident by the fact that he traveled countless miles to away contests and was always one of the loudest fans in the stands. Mr. Bandauski along with his wife, Linda donated warm-ups, stadium signage and provided financial backing while Sara was playing for the Blue Demons.
"The spirit in which the Dave Bandauski Award is given, exemplifies the award and is given in the spirit of the man," Lenti said. "Cara epitomizes the example that Mr. Bandauski showed as parent and as a supporter of the DePaul softball program.
"Cara's enthusiasm, energy and general love for DePaul University and Blue Demon softball led us throughout this season and she will be a senior that is hard to replace."