DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Set Body Clocks for 'Winning Time'
4/23/2012 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
April 23, 2012
CHICAGO - It's time for these Blue Demons to recapture their winning ways.
DePaul's nationally renowned softball program stumbled a bit last week and look to snap a four-game losing streak in a 4 p.m. nonconference game against in-state rival Illinois (21-21) Tuesday at Cacciatore Stadium.
The Blue Demons were cruising along on victory lane having won eight of nine games heading into the nightcap of last Wednesday's doubleheader at Connecticut.
That's when the Huskies surprised DePaul with a 5-3 decision, and the Blue Demons were then swept in a three-game series at Notre Dame. It was the first such three-game series breakdown for DePaul since the Fighting Irish accomplished that feat in 2006.
"It seems like we have one of these down periods every year," said DePaul coach Eugene Lenti. "How do you get out of it? It's up to each player to take it upon herself to perform better in practice and in games. Bring to the forefront what you are capable of doing softball-wise.
"Come out strong on Tuesday and don't let this turn into a five, six or seven-game streak. Just as easily as we've lost the last four, we are capable of winning the final 10 games of the regular season."
DePaul (26-17, 8-6 in the BIG EAST) could benefit from a return to Lincoln Park after five consecutive road games.
"You hope to play better at home," Lenti said. "You're back to sleeping in your own bed and there's no dealing with a plane trip, bus trip, staying in hotels. You now have a comfort zone on your side."
Now, they need to lock into a hitting zone.
"We have got to score more runs," Lenti said with emphasis. "This is what we've been saying all year. The Blue Demons are going as far as the offense can take us.
"We also have to step it up defensively. We aren't necessarily making errors, but we aren't making the plays that can help us.
"We've been losing one-run games because of the plays we aren't making, along with some errors."
In the last four games, opponents have outhit DePaul .266-.223 and outscored the Blue Demons 14-7. DePaul has committed five errors in that span after entering last week as the No. 7 defensive team in the country.
Winning the opener at Connecticut improved ace Kirsten Verdun to 18-6 with a 1.52 ERA. In the last four games, Verdun is 0-4 with a 3.61 ERA.
Verdun is ready to ignite a winning streak on Tuesday that will carry over to Wednesday's critical BIG EAST Conference doubleheader against Syracuse (34-11, 11-3).
The Orange will encounter a Cacciatore Stadium packed with school children screaming their support for the Blue Demons at the annual Field Trip Day event.
"Illinois is a good-hitting team that relies on its offense while Syracuse is just the opposite," Lenti said. "Syracuse is a team that relies on its pitching.
"Syracuse is definitely catching us at the right time---for their purposes."
The Orange feature the BIG EAST's best pitching tandem in Jenna Caira (21-5, 1.69 ERA) and Stacy Kuwik (11-3, 1.76 ERA). Caira has 204 strikeouts in 169.1 innings and has held opponents to a .161 batting average.
Offensively, the Orange is a potent combination of speed and power. Lisaira Daniels (.365), Shirley Daniels and Stephanie Watts have combined for 44 stolen bases.
Lisaira Daniels, Julie Wambold, Carey-Leigh Thomas and Jasmine Watson have combined for 37 home runs while Daniels, Wambold and Watson have combined for 90 RBIs. Syracuse has out-homered teams 54-21.
Following the three mid-week games, DePaul travels to Seton Hall (20-25, 2-12) for a weekend three-game series.
"We've got to try and win as many games we can to put ourselves in position for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament," Lenti said. "Winning the BIG EAST Conference regular-season title is not viable at this point.
"Let's finish up strong and prepare ourselves for a run in the conference tournament."
