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DePaul's Becca Heteniak Named the Division I National Player of the Week
CHICAGO -- DePaul sophomore All-American pitcher Becca Heteniak has been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I National Player of the Week and the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week, it was announced on Tuesday. “"Becca had a great week last week. She made her presence felt and led DePaul both in the circle and at the plate,” said DePaul Head Coach Eugene Lenti. “These are wonderful honors of Becca and for the Blue Demon softball program." Heteniak saw action in each of DePaul’s eight wins last week, going 7-0 in the circle and adding a save against Connecticut. The All-American tossed 43.1 innings, allowing just 17 hits and two earned runs for a 0.32 ERA. She held opposing batters to a stingy .114 batting average. On Thursday against Illinois-Chicago, Heteniak tossed her third career no-hitter as DePaul defeated the Flames 5-0. She then threw an eight-inning shutout against Loyola-Chicago on Wednesday and combined for a shutout against BIG EAST foes Connecticut (game two) and Providence (game one) on the weekend. Heteniak helped her own cause at the plate as she led DePaul with 10 RBI, three home runs and a pair of doubles. The sophomore finished the week with a .364 average and eight hits. Against Illinois, Heteniak smashed a pair of home runs, marking the first time in her collegiate career that she has had two home runs in a single game. "I am absolutely honored and thrilled to be named the National Player of the Week. It is crazy to be honored by USA Softball,” said Heteniak. “I share this award with my teammates and coaches as this would not happen without them.” Heteniak is the first Blue Demon since Sarah Martz (2001-04) to win the Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week in 2004. She is the first DePaul player since 2003 to earn USA Softball National Player of the Week recognition. Lindsay Chouinard (2000-03) won both the weekly awards in 2003. DePaul (40-14) is ranked at No. 20 in this week’s USA Today/NFCA Division I Top-25 Poll. The Blue Demons host a three-game mini-tournament today featuring No. 1/3 Alabama, No. 11/11 Northwestern and the Blue Demons.
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