Verdun, Morocco Earn All-Region Recognition
5/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
May 19, 2011
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Kirsten Verdun was sitting in a hotel lobby Thursday morning when the DePaul freshman found out she had been selected Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region First Team.
"That's incredible, and I'm ecstatic to get this honor," Verdun said of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association accolade that makes her eligible for the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American team. "Everyone dreams of being All-American."
Verdun was chosen as utility/pitcher and teammate Alex Morocco was named All-Region Second Team as an outfielder. Morocco, who earned the same honor last season as a junior, is also now eligible for the NFCA All-American team.
The Blue Demons worked out for more than two hours Thursday in preparation for the 4 p.m. NCAA regional showdown on Friday against Big Ten power Indiana.
"Everyone on our team and all the coaches helped me get this recognition," Verdun said. "The senior leadership has been so inspiring, and we wouldn't be here at the NCAA regionals without them.
"My teammates backing me up all the time are the reason I've had success as a freshman."
Verdun has been an all-around standout for the Blue Demons this season, batting .326 and leading the team in home runs with 11, RBIs with 42 and walks with 47. She ranks No. 17 in the nation at drawing walks.
In the circle, Verdun leads DePaul with a 22-3 record while sporting a 2.24 earned-run average. The left-hander from Coal City, Ill. has five shutouts, three saves and opponents are hitting .240 against her.
Morocco is second on the team in batting average at .399, is tops in hits with 67 and is tied with Verdun in runs scored with 37. The senior center-fielder from Oak Park-River Forest leads DePaul with 13 stolen bases in 15 attempts.
"This is awesome, and a great way to finish up my senior year," Morocco said. "But right now I'm more focused on winning the next three games and advancing to the NCAA Super Regionals."
Unhappy with her performance the first two years in Lincoln Park, Morocco made a dramatic turnaround her junior season.
"This is like a reward for all that extra work I put in these last two years," Morocco said. "This year, our whole team comes in before practice and stays late after practice for extra hitting sessions.
"We all want to be at our best this weekend."
