DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demon Softball Visits NFCA Leadoff Classic
2/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
Feb. 20, 2014
CHICAGO - DePaul softball continues its non-conference travel schedule with a trip to Clearwater, Fla. this weekend to compete at the 2014 NFCA Leadoff Classic against teams from Massachusetts, College of Charleston, Connecticut, Rutgers and James Madison.
The NFCA Leadoff Classic showcases some of the top teams in college softball and is in its 18th year of existence, as well as its third in Clearwater, Fla. This season, 10 total teams will be at the Eddie C. Moore Complex.
The Blue Demons went 4-1 in Charleston, S.C. last weekend, beating Kansas to take the championship at the College of Charleston Classic. Senior lefty Kirsten Verdun (Player of the Week) and junior Mary Connolly (Pitcher of the Week) helped DePaul sweep the BIG EAST Conference weekly awards.
Verdun picked up a pair of victories, including a shutout of Ole Miss, and hit .500 while smacking her first home run of the season. Connolly fired a one-hitter against Fordham and knocked in three runs to help DePaul blow out the preseason A-10 favorites, 8-0.
Scouting The NFCA Leadoff Classic
The UMass Minutewomen are coming off a down year of 18-25, but have won 23 conference championships in the Atlantic 10 while DePaul also sees a pair of former BIG EAST rivals - Connecticut (0-0) and Rutgers (3-2). The Blue Demons are 14-4 in the all-time series against the Huskies and have defeated the Scarlet Knights in 13-of-15 matchups.
DePaul faced the College of Charleston (3-4) last weekend at its home tournament, falling 3-1 to Cougar ace Hope Klicker. Staci Bonezek hit her first home run of the season late in the game, but the Blue Demons were unable to break through for any more offense.
James Madison (5-5) was an NCAA Tournament participant a year ago after compiling a 42-17 record. The Blue Demons will be looking for revenge after falling in the first-ever meeting between the two programs last season.
Award-Winning
Kirsten Verdun has begun her season by earning a BIG EAST Conference weekly honor in each of the first two weeks. On Feb. 10, the senior lefty was honored as Pitcher of the Week and followed it up with a Player of the Week recognition on Feb. 17.
Junior Mary Connolly was also named Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 17, while classmate Staci Bonezek was an honor roll nominee on Feb. 10.
Still Going Strong
Head coach Eugene Lenti begins his 33rd season heading up the Blue Demon program in 2014, and the Hall of Famer has amassed an extraordinary career record of 1,177-573-6. He is the fifth winningest active coach in the nation and has led DePaul to the NCAA tournament in 15 of the last 17 years.
That run includes four trips to the Women's College World Series. In three of the last six seasons, the Blue Demons have won either a BIG EAST regular-season title or BIG EAST Conference Championship tournament title. Lenti and his assistant coaches have also been honored as the BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year three times.
Blue Demons Picked to Win BIG EAST Title
DePaul softball is the 2014 BIG EAST Conference favorite, according to the conference's annual preseason poll announced on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The Blue Demons, who will serve as host of the 2014 BIG EAST Championship in May, earned six first-place votes and tallied 48 total points.
Conference coaches ranked the teams one through seven and were not allowed to vote for their own programs. BIG EAST newcomer Creighton received 44 points along with two first-place votes to finish just behind the Blue Demons.
The Blue Demons have now been picked to win the conference twice in the past three seasons and six times total as the program enters its 10th season in the BIG EAST. DePaul has never been selected to finish any lower than fourth in a BIG EAST preseason poll.
Verdun Looks to Make History in Senior Season
One of the most decorated pitchers (and hitters) in school history, senior Kirsten Verdun enters 2014 inside the top-five of eight categories in the school's all-time record book. Simply repeating her career averages should allow her to come close to and/or break several school records over the course of the season. A dual threat, Verdun also begins the season fourth in school history in slugging percentage, home runs and walks.
New Year, New Faces
DePaul welcomes a strong five-member freshman class to the diamond this season. The crop includes a potential impact power bat in Nicole Pihl, who set the Illinois State record with 19 home runs as a sophomore at Seneca High School. Dylan Christensen comes to DePaul from Chula Vista, Calif. and is a speedy, versatile outfielder who can play all three spots and hit anywhere in a lineup. Rachel Entwistle will provide depth at catcher, while newcomer Maxine Rodriguez will do the same in the circle. Another outfielder, Micah Fitzgerald, brings more versatility and speed.
