DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Heads West to Face the Best
3/14/2012 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
March 14, 2012
CHICAGO - The opportunity is there for No. 24/25 DePaul to ascend into the elite class of NCAA Division I softball.
The Blue Demons will confront four Top 25 teams with a combined record of 75-15 in the prestigious Judi Garman Classic in Fullerton, Calif.
The gauntlet begins on Thursday with a 3 p.m. showdown against No. 7/7 Oklahoma (20-3). At 9:30 p.m. Thursday, DePaul (14-5) draws its only unranked opponent in Fresno State, which is 16-9.
On Friday, it's No. 3/3 Washington (23-1), and the Saturday matchup is against No. 19/19 Michigan (16-7). The Classic finale comes Sunday against No. 13/13 Arizona (16-4).
Every team the Blue Demons play in southern California has won at least one NCAA title.
"This will be the toughest competition we'll face this season," said DePaul coach Eugene Lenti. "I don't know if there's another team in the country playing five national champions in one weekend.
"On paper, every team we're playing at the Judi Garman is equal to or better than us. We have to play smart and with a little swagger. It will come down to solid pitching and the defense to back it up."
What's the rationale behind such a formidable challenge?
"This tournament will get us ready for next week when we play at No. 1 Alabama and also prepare us for BIG EAST Conference play," Lenti said. "After Alabama, we open our league season against No. 14/15 Louisville with three games at home.
"We're looking to build our resume for an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament. This will also help us as we go after the BIG EAST regular-season championship."
The Blue Demons will encounter nine players on the USA Softball Top 50 Watch List.
First up are Oklahoma's dominating battery of ace Keilani Ricketts (10-3, 0.96 ERA) and catcher Jessica Shults (.464). Ricketts and Michelle Gascoigne are a combined 19-3 with a 0.83 ERA---No. 2 in the nation.
Washington has Kimi Pohlman (.466) and Nikia Williams on the Top 50 list while Michigan placed Amanda Chidester, Bree Evans and Ashley Lane on the Top 50. USA Softball also selected Arizona's Brigette Del Ponte (.455) and ace Kenzie Fowler (7-0, 1.55 ERA) for its Watch List.
"Oklahoma is led by Ricketts, who is one of the top three pitchers in the country," Lenti said. "Oklahoma backs her up with a lot of offensive firepower. It's a potent combination---a power pitcher and a speed-and-power offense.
"We'll try to keep them off-balance and strike when we have the opportunities. Our pitchers get fired up to face the top teams. Oklahoma has two tough pitchers, and they both get a lot of strikeouts.
"Fresno State (16-9) might be the team closest to us in ability. We beat them 3-2 in eight innings two years ago at the Judi Garman and have had some success against them.
"Michigan is also similar to us, and we're close in terms of ability. Our pitching has more experience than their pitching and that could give us a slight advantage. But they have more experience offensively."
Washington and Arizona represent the Pac-10 which is the premier softball conference in the country.
"Washington is similar to Oklahoma---great pitching and a great offense," Lenti said. "We'll really need to play mistake-free softball and capitalize on any mistakes they might make. We were able to beat them two years ago in the Judi Garman when they were ranked No. 1 in the nation.
"Arizona is another team with excellent pitching and a powerful offense. The Wildcats rely on the long ball a lot. We've got to keep them off the bases and keep the ball in the park.
"We'll look for a way to scratch and claw for a couple of runs. They have the No. 1 defense in the country, and that's a sign of great pitching."
DePaul's pitching staff features Bree Brown (4-0, 1.09 ERA), Kirsten Verdun (7-3, 1.91 ERA) and Hannah Penna (3-1, 1.25 ERA). The offense revolves around Samantha Dodd (.441, 12 runs), Verdun (.379, three home runs, 16 RBIs), Lynsey Ciezki (.356, 16 runs) and Mary Connolly (.327, three home runs, 13 RBIs). The Blue Demons are outhitting their opponents .305-.213 and outscoring them 97-40.
"We'll need to play DePaul ball to have success at the Judi Garman," Lenti said. "It all starts with the pitching. Minimize our walks and don't give up home runs. The defense has to be at the top of its game and we need to come through with the timely hits.
"I'm looking for that from our experienced players, the seniors, juniors and sophomores. They all have to be a big part of it. Nobody has to play above themselves, but I am expecting them to play up to their potential and experience."
