May 11, 1999

RECAPPING A SUPER SEASON:
When looking back at the recently completed 1999 Villanova softball season, it is not difficult to see tremendous success. The Wildcats had a storybook campaign in '99 that saw them break numerous team and individual records along the way, not the least of which was the new standard of wins in a season, 42. From the very first game of the year, a 10-4 win over Providence in the Orlando, Florida, Rebel Games that gave 15th-year head coach Maria DiBernardi her 300th career victory, it was easy to tell that this year's team was going to be one to remember. The team returned from sunny Florida with a 7-3 mark, and the wins just kept piling up. The 42-14-2 Wildcats reached as high as fourth in the NCAA Regional Softball Poll, an all-time school best. All season long, various 'Cats were among not only the Big East statistical leaders, but the NCAA leaders as well. Whether it was Jackie Pasquerella's high batting average or Keri Stoller's many strikeouts, Villanova performances could be found in abundance on the national scene. A 9-7 record in the Big East was good for a fourth place tie with Connecticut. With the entire team returning next season, not to mention the arrival of a handful of talented recruits, the Villanova Wildcats will look to build upon, and hopefully even exceed, their remarkable run of 1999.

SINGLE SEASON INDIVIDUAL RECORDS:
As remarkable an achievement as any in this season full of lofty accomplishments is the fact that the Wildcats broke or tied the school record in every major individual offensive category. Jackie Pasquerella broke Villanova single season records for batting average (.470), hits (93), and stolen bases (28), while Mia Brickhouse topped the mark for runs scored (53) and tied the record for triples (8). Megan O'Leary set new standards for home runs (10), RBI (52), and doubles (18).

SINGLE SEASON TEAM RECORDS:
Although many new individual records were set this season, no personal accomplishment stands greater than a team achievement: 42 wins. After a senior led 1998 squad set the team record for wins with 36, this year's senior-less Wildcats might have hoped to get to 30 wins. The 'Cats got to the 30-win mark - and kept going. By the time the season ended, Villanova had raised the bar to a new level, finishing 42-14-2.

CAREER MILESTONES:
Amidst all of the single season record-breaking, there were some highly notable career milestones. No event overshadows 15th-year head coach Maria DiBernardi's 300th career victory as mentor of the Villanova softball program. On February 28, 1999, DiBernardi led the Wildcats to a 10-4 win over Providence College in Orlando, Florida, thus reaching the milestone. In the team's last two contests this year, they swept a doubleheader from those same Providence Friars in games played at Villanova, giving DiBernardi a 341-283-5 career mark.

Junior second baseman Megan O'Leary topped a career record, too. On April 25, at home against St. John's University, O'Leary smoked a line drive into left centerfield for the 38th double of her career, breaking the previous mark of 36 that had been set by former Villanova standout Jessica DeLuca. O'Leary also reached the 100 RBI plateau on April 22 at home against Saint Joseph's University when she uncorked a three-run home run into the leftfield bleachers. She ended the season with 111 runs batted in, third all-time at 'Nova.

Yet another career record was broken by the Wildcats, this one in the second-to-last game of the year against Providence. Fleet-footed centerfielder Mia Brickhouse stole second base, and in doing so set a new all-time stolen base mark for Villanova. Brickhouse, only a junior, ended the season with 58 career steals.

ALL-BIG EAST HONORS:
In the 1999 Big East Softball Coaches' Poll announced on Friday, May 7, the Villanova University Wildcats had three team members named to either the first or second team. Junior designated player Regina Speicher (Brackney, Pa./ Seton Catholic) was named to the All-Big East first team, while sophomore infielder Jackie Pasquerella (Bayshore, N.Y./ Bayshore) and junior outfielder Kristen Verhoff (Oakland, N.J./ Indian Hills) earned second team honors.

Speicher had a strong year for the Wildcats, finishing fourth on the squad with a .341 batting average, third in on-base percentage (.440), second in doubles with 14, and first on the team in walks with 20. One of the captains of this year's 42-14-2 version of the Wildcats that set a school record for victories, Speicher garnered All-Big East honors for the first time in her career.

Verhoff, also one of this year's captains, had a break-out season for the 'Cats. Hitting in the third spot in the order, the sure-handed leftfielder hit .308, with three home runs and 39 RBI, the second most on the team. With only one error the entire season, Verhoff was valuable to Villanova both at the plate and in the field. Like Speicher, this is the first time that Verhoff has received All-League recognition.

Pasquerella, on the other hand, was named to the second team for the second year in a row. This season, she broke Villanova single season records for batting average (.470), hits (93), and stolen bases (28) while splitting time between shortstop and third base. Pasquerella's batting average was good for second in the Big East, and her hits were a league best.

BIG EAST WEEKLY AWARDS:
During the 1999 season, six Wildcats earned either the Big East Player, Pitcher, or Rookie of the Week award. For the week ending March 8, Villanova actually swept all three honors. Megan O'Leary earned the Player of the Week, while Keri Stoller and Molly Hanneman took Pitcher and Rookie of the Week, respectively. On March 15, Heather Garboden won recognition as the Rookie of the Week. Then, on March 22, Mia Brickhouse was named the Player of the Week, while Carrie Walpole received the Pitcher of the Week award.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE:
On the GTE District II All-Academic softball team released on Thursday, May 13, two Wildcats garnered recognition. Junior outfielder/designated player Regina Speicher and junior leftfielder Kristen Verhoff represented Villanova. Speicher is a mathematics major, while Verhoff is a commerce & finance major. Both student-athletes are awaiting word of whether or not they will make the GTE Academic All-American softball team.