DePaul University Athletics
No, 9 Would be Fine for Streaking Blue Demons
4/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
CHICAGO - The smile on his face let you know how Eugene Lenti was feeling about his softball team's eight-game winning streak.
"I'm just trying to stay out of the way," Lenti said as his Blue Demons prepared for their 5 p.m. Tuesday showdown against Missouri Valley Conference leader Illinois State in Normal.
"Our players are in a good spot and feeling a lot of confidence. They know we can win every game---big."
During the winning streak, DePaul (29-14, 13-3 in the BIG EAST Conference) has come up with a three-run inning or more in eight-straight games. Leading the way were the nine-run and six-run innings the Blue Demons put on the scoreboard in their 15-2 triumph over No. 23/25 Notre Dame last week.
After facing the Redbirds on Tuesday, DePaul returns to conference action with a Saturday doubleheader and Sunday single game against Georgetown (16-26, 5-9) at Cacciatore Stadium. The team will celebrate Senior/Alumni Day on Sunday.
"Our team is a mentally tougher group now because we've been through a lot," Lenti said. "That's why we scheduled so many tough nonconference games (nine teams ranked in the Top 25)---to prepare them for this point in the season."
None of DePaul's last eight opponents were prepared for a Blue Demon team that is batting .416 during its winning streak.
Alex Morocco is batting .536 in her last eight games to lead the team and is followed by Samantha Dodd (.533), Sean Plese (.522), Lynsey Ciezki (.450), Brittney Yniguez (.444), Marie Thompson (.421), Becca Heteniak (.385) and Tara Voss (.348).
The Blue Demons are outhitting their opponents .416-.172 and outscoring them 66-19 in this stretch.
"Marie has done a spectacular job behind the plate," Lenti said. "The rest of the seniors are making big contributions.
"Our juniors---Brittney, Tara, Sean and Alex---are all playing so well. Lynsey is getting comfortable at third base, and she's really been hitting well lately."
Ciezki was named to the BIG EAST Conference Honor Roll on Monday while freshman Bree Brown was selected as the league's Pitcher of the Week.
"You can't say enough about the pitching of Bree Brown (13-4, 2.60 earned-run average, six wins in a row)," Lenti said. "She is doing a much better job of keeping the ball in the park and had back-to-back shutouts at USF over the weekend."
Brown won her first weekly award after going 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA and getting the win against BIG EAST leader Notre Dame in the first game of a doubleheader sweep.
Ciezki batted .600 last week with five RBI and four runs as DePaul went 5-0.
"Lynsey is playing with great confidence and is feeling comfortable at third base," Lenti said. "She made some exceptional plays on Sunday at USF and is leading the way offensively and defensively.
"This season we decided Lynsey was going to be our third baseman of the future, so we threw her out there to see what would happen. She made all the adjustments and really caught on fast."
Is there any concern the Blue Demons could get a little complacent after all this winning?
"No, I'm not worried about it because this is a mature team," Lenti said. "Our players realize we are good enough to beat anyone in the country, but also every game left on our schedule, we could lose.
"We cannot afford to look past Illinois State (27-14). They are one of the top 30 teams in the country and lead the MVC with a 15-3 record."
The Redbirds feature Kara Nelson (.430, five home runs, 23 RBI) and the power duo of Abby Olson (.390, 16 homers, 47 RBI) and Michelle Henderson (11 homers, 34 RBI). Illinois State is batting .292 as a team and has clubbed 54 home runs to 23 for its opponents.
ISU's most effective pitcher has been Megan Warner, who is 11-7 with a 2.51 ERA.
Georgetown is hitting .258 as a team and is led by Demetria Cipriano who is batting .356 with a team-high 26 RBI. The Hoyas' pitching staff sports a 3.14 ERA.
"We've won seven of eight from the three other traditional BIG EAST powers---Notre Dame, Louisville and USF," Lenti said. "Six of those eight games were on the road.
"This is a special group of players who are making history of their own with all the success on the road."
