DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Goes All-In Against USF This Weekend
5/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
May 3, 2011
CHICAGO - What DePaul is going after this weekend is what coach Eugene Lenti describes as the most difficult quest in college sports.
The Blue Demons' coach is talking about winning a conference title.
First-place DePaul and third-place USF clash in a three-game series this weekend with the BIG EAST regular-season title hanging in the balance.
"We control our own destiny, and that's all anyone can ask," Lenti said. "If we win our final three BIG EAST games, we are the champion.
"You can't expect help from other teams. We don't want to rely on someone else winning like the Blackhawks did to make the NHL playoffs."
Because of canceled games, the best second-place Notre Dame can finish is 19-1 in the BIG EAST. DePaul (34-11, 17-1) would clinch with a series sweep.
Notre Dame (38-8, 14-1) has a pair of home games against Pittsburgh (31-14, 10-6) on Wednesday and three weekend games at Connecticut (19-27, 6-12).
The Blue Demons won the regular-season title last year on the final weekend of the regular season.
"We've had pressure on us for quite a while," Lenti said as his team has responded with a 14-game winning streak. "The kids are aware that losing one more BIG EAST game could give Notre Dame the title.
"It's going to be tough to win three games against a good team like USF, even when we have all three at home. We're going to see a lot of different pitching.
"USF coach Ken Eriksen won't give us too many good looks at one pitcher. We might see three different pitchers on one game to keep our hitters off-balance."
The Bulls like to keep defenses off-balance with their speed, having stolen 102 bases in 117 attempts.
Gina Kafalas is hitting .370 and has 24 stolen bases. Other top threats include Stephanie Medina (.352, 49 RBIs) and Janine Richardson (.365, 44 RBIs).
USF's balanced pitching staff features Sara Nevins (14-7, 1.69 earned-run average), Lindsey Richardson (10-6, 2.63 ERA) and Brittany Bowles (6-2, 2.75 ERA).
"They have dangerous hitters with a good combination of speed and power," Lenti said. "It will come down to our pitching against theirs, who plays better defense and who gets the timely hits."
Timely hitting and defense have sparked the Blue Demons on their 14-game winning streak in which they didn't lose a single game in the month of April.
In fact, DePaul has only made two errors in the last 16 games.
"Our defense has been good all season long except for a blip against Louisville," Lenti said about his fielders who are the No. 4 defensive team in the country. "Our defense would be the envy of most Major League Baseball teams---especially the White Sox.
"What's even more impressive is that we don't have the big strikeout pitcher. Our pitchers average less than a strikeout per inning, so there are a lot of balls put in play.
"We preach making the routine plays, but our fielders are making the extra-effort plays as well. Defense won the game for us (2-1) against Connecticut on Sunday."
The final four home games---including Northern Illinois at 4 p.m. on Wednesday---are full of special events.
Before the noon doubleheader on Saturday, there will be a special dedication ceremony for Vic and Char Cacciatore and family honoring them for their generous contribution towards the construction of Cacciatore Stadium.
After the 11 a.m. game on Sunday, Lindsey Dean, Alex Morocco, Sean Plese, Sarah Shizas, Brittney Yniguez and their parents will be honored on Senior Day.
On Wednesday, it's Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day and also the "Green Game" in fulfilling one of the DePaul Athletic Department's sustainability initiatives.
For the second year in a row, DePaul has been named to the Princeton Review's guide to the nation's greenest campuses.
To that end, the "Green Game" against NIU (23-23) will feature eco-friendly packaging for popcorn, pretzels, hot dogs and frozen drinks while all garbage will be sorted and recycled.
All plates and utensils at the Faculty/Staff Hawaiian luau will be biodegradable. Reusable tote bags will be given out to fans at the game.
In addition to all these Cacciatore Stadium festivities, the Blue Demons will also travel to Champaign on Thursday for a 4 p.m. game against rival Illinois.
"All of our games have been really competitive, and both teams get up for each other," Lenti said. "We're both from Illinois and played against each other in last year's NCAA tournament. We're both fighting for an NCAA bid, and head-to-head competition is a factor in that process.
"The strength of their team is hitting, and they are one of the best-hitting teams in the country. But our pitching has been getting stronger, and that's encouraging to me."
