Softball's Kirsten Verdun Signs Pro Contract with Chicago Bandits
5/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | SOFTBALL
May 30, 2014
ROSEMONT, Ill. - It's been quite a week for DePaul softball's Kirsten Verdun. The Blue Demons' senior ace signed a professional contract with her hometown Chicago Bandits on Thursday, just one day after learning she had been named an NFCA All-American for the second time in her decorated career.
She joins former Blue Demon Amber Patton, who begins her sixth season on the team in 2014, and current assistant coach Tammy Williams on the Bandits' active roster. Verdun was in Akron, Ohio for the team's season-opener last night.
"I am very fortunate to have gotten this opportunity and to be able to continue my softball career," said Verdun. "This is really the chance of a lifetime and I'm looking forward to contributing to this team as soon as possible."
Verdun was signed after an open tryout with the team.
"Kirsten is someone we liked during our draft preparations as well," said Bandits general manager Aaron M. Moore. "She is a very talented player and has the ability to help this team out in a lot of different ways. She reminds us of [former Michigan All-American] Nikki Nemitz in the sense that she can win games for you in the circle and at the plate."
During her senior season, she put up 33 wins to tie the single-season school record and rank third in the nation. Verdun finished the year with a 1.76 ERA, 33-7 record and 299 strikeouts in 251 innings pitched, leading the Blue Demons to BIG EAST Conference regular season and tournament titles as well as the eighth NCAA Tournament Regional Final in program history.
Verdun threw two no-hitters in the month of April, getting her first career no-no on April 5 in a six-inning win against Seton Hall. She came back on April 27 to get another, beating Villanova in a dominant five innings.
Individually, Verdun was named BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year in addition to earning Most Outstanding Player honors at the BIG EAST Championships. This season, she was also named NFCA Great Lakes All-Region First Team and First Team All-BIG EAST - both for the fourth time in her career.
About the Chicago Bandits
Since 2005, the Chicago Bandits have been members of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league. Located in Rosemont, the Bandits provide an opportunity for female fastpitch players to further their careers at a professional level, and the roster has included such names as Jennie Finch, Stacy May-Johnson and Monica Abbott. The two-time NPF Champions play at The Ballpark at Rosemont, the only stadium in the country built for a women's professional team. The 2014 season will be the Bandits 10th season in the NPF.
About National Pro Fastpitch
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women's Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women's fastpitch softball since 2002.
