DePaul University Athletics
First-Place DePaul Looking to Finish Strong
4/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
April 21, 2011
CHICAGO - Time for a little DePaul déjàvu.
The Blue Demons are headed to Rutgers for a three-game BIG EAST Conference series beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, and at almost this same time last year, a three-game sweep of Rutgers launched DePaul on an eight-game winning streak.
That winning streak evolved into a run of 17 wins in 18 games.
Another strong finish to top off the current six-game winning streak would do the Blue Demons just fine.
"We're on a roll right now, and we need to keep it going," said Bree Brown, who was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll along with teammate Kirsten Verdun on Monday. "Everyone needs to stay on top of their game and keep being accountable to each other."
Brown was dominating in helping vault DePaul (26-11, 10-1 in the BIG EAST) into first place.
In beating NCAA tournament contender Illinois State and BIG EAST Championship tournament contender Pittsburgh twice last week, Brown was 1-0 in the pitching circle with two saves.
The sophomore right-hander had an earned-run average of 1.68 in the three games with 16 strikeouts in 8.1 innings. Her strikeout-to-walk ratio was 16-to-1.
"Pitching is a concern of ours right now," said DePaul coach Eugene Lenti, whose team has won nine of its last 10 games and outscored opponents 83-29. "Bree is doing better, but Kirsten's location needs to be better.
"We need to get Kirsten right."
Verdun was right-on with her batting stroke last week, hitting .625 with four RBIs, four runs and four walks in the three games. She leads the Blue Demons in home runs (nine), RBIs (34) and her 32 walks are first in the BIG EAST and No. 12 in the nation.
The freshman slugger heads into the Rutgers series with an eight-game hitting streak.
"Earlier in the season, it was pitching and defense carrying us," Lenti said. "Now, the pitching is a little off, but we're winning with hitting and defense.
"It's a good thing when you can be 26-11 and not hitting on all cylinders yet."
Brown is ready for her team to excel simultaneously in all three phases.
"That will come with accountability," Brown said. "No excuses---just go out there and play hard.
"It all starts with the pitching. If your pitching is strong, the defense will follow through. When pitching is setting the tone, the offense won't feel as much pressure."
Brown said she is feeling stronger and would like to duplicate the finish of her 2010 regular season when she was twice named BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week.
"I've started locating better and being more precise with all my pitches," Brown said. "Lately, I've begun to hit my spots again. If I can get everything working, I can finish up like I did last year.
"I'm getting a lot more in sync with my body, and everything is starting to flow. I'm starting to understand a little more how to go harder."
In the BIG EAST pennant race, DePaul has moved ahead of USF (9-1) and Notre Dame (7-1) with Louisville in fourth place at 10-4.
USF hosts Notre Dame in a key doubleheader on April 27. In addition to that Tampa trip, the Fighting Irish have a May 4th home doubleheader against Pittsburgh.
The regular-season title could come down to a BIG EAST concluding three-game series with the Blue Demons and USF May 7-8 at Cacciatore Stadium.
"We have a nice, long stretch at home after this week, and that's our chance to make a big impact," Lenti said. "In our final 12 games beginning next week, 10 are at home.
"Every game is winnable from here on out. All the pitching will be similar, and we aren't going to encounter a shutdown pitcher the rest of the way."
Rutgers (18-23, 6-6) features the big bat of Brittney Lindley, who leads the Scarlet Knights in batting average (.437), home runs (10), RBIs (40), runs (41) and doubles (13). Other top threats include Mandy Craig (.361, 28 RBIs) and Mikelyn Messina (.360, seven homers, 33 RBIs).
The Scarlet Knights have a staff ERA of 5.37 and have made 55 errors. DePaul has committed 22.
"Rutgers is a dangerous team," Lenti said. "Every conference game means so much. Rutgers is battling for a playoff spot and we're fighting for a regular-season title."
