Kirsten Verdun, Mary Connolly Named to NFCA All-Region Teams
5/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - DePaul softball standouts Kirsten Verdun and Mary Connolly were both recognized for their outstanding seasons when both were named to the NFCA Division I All-Great Lakes Region teams on Thursday.
The awards honor softball student-athletes from the Association's 10 regions with first, second and third teams selected for each region. The all-region teams were voted on by NFCA member coaches from each respective region, and all the honorees now become eligible for selection to one of three 2014 NFCA Division I All-American teams.
Already the BIG EAST Player of the Year, Connolly was named all-region at her first base position following an impressive statistical season. One of the most feared hitters in the BIG EAST, Connolly led the conference in virtually every offensive category.
The Winfield, Ill. native boasts a .407 batting average ranks 58th in the nation, while her 13 homers put her 65th. Connolly also has the 52nd best on-base percentage in the nation (.506) and the 38th best slugging percentage (.757). The honor marks the second appearance on the all-region team for Connolly, who has been named All-BIG EAST in each of her three years in Lincoln Park.
Verdun adds her fourth all-region award to an already-impressive laundry list of accolades this season. The senior lefty has been named BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year, as well as the BIG EAST Championships Most Outstanding Player.
Her 30 wins rank third in the nation and she also ranks 12th in the NCAA with 265 strikeouts. Over 220 innings, she has recorded a 1.72 ERA and tossed eight shutouts. Her opponents manage just a .193 batting average. The Coal City, Ill. native also threw two no-hitters during the month of April, defeating Seton Hall and Villanova with dominating performances.
DePaul (41-9) has won the BIG EAST regular season and tournament titles and continues its season with its first game at the NCAA Tournament tomorrow, facing James Madison at 4:00 p.m. CT in Lexington, Ky.
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