Small school, big results

By JOHN ENRIETTO Eagle Sports Editor

May 13, 2010 Last Updated: May 13, 2010 02:40 PM College

Mars graduate Brie Berkopec, a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for the Denison (Ohio) University softball team, has made a name for herself with her offense and defense.

GRANVILLE, Ohio — Brie Berkopec decided to go small — and came up big.

The Mars graduate considered softball offers from Division I Cornell University and Central Michigan before deciding to play at Division III Denison (Ohio).

Now a senior catcher with the Big Red, Berkopec will graduate this weekend with numerous school records and a bevy of championships.

When Berkopec decided on Denison, which is 30 miles east of Columbus, Ohio, she surrendered some longtime dreams.

"It had been my dream since high school to play Division I softball, go to the Olympics, etc.," she said. "But I had talked to some Division I athletes who said the game took over their lives because of the demands on their time.

"I knew I was only going to play softball until age 22 or so. I always want to love this game," she added.

Berkopec has started all but 11 games in her college career. Nearly all of those starts have been behind the plate.

She is one of six seniors on the team to take part in 109 wins, three North Coast Athletic Conference regular season titles and two NCAC tournament crowns.

The second conference tournament championship occurred last weekend, as Denison became the first team in the 10-year history of the league tourney to lose its first game (3-1 to Wittenberg) and come back to win the title.

"Brie is certainly one of the best players to come through this program," Denison coach Tiffany Ozbun said. "She put together a 23-game hitting streak this year, and that's a school record.

"To put up the numbers she has as a catcher — that position is supposed to wear a player down. Brie just keeps getting better and better."

Berkopec hit .386 with nine homers and 37 RBI last season. This year, she's hitting .480 with 10 homers, 41 RBI and 40 runs scored. She's hit 25 home runs for the Big Red, 11 more than any other player in Denison's history.

"For a Division III program, the strength and conditioning program here is incredible," she said. "I owe a lot of my success to that."

Denison plays host to DePauw (Ind.) at 4 p.m. today in the NCAA regionals.

Berkopec remembers her last regional appearance well.

The Big Red faced rival Muskingum in the final game of the 2008 event. Berkopec was at the plate in the final inning, her team trailing 3-2 with runners at second and third with one out.

She took a called third strike. The following batter struck out as well, and Denison's season was over.

"It was horrible," Berkopec recalled. "I've been called out on strikes only one time since then. I vowed to not let it happen. If I'm going down, I'm going down swinging."

She hasn't gone down very often.

"Brie's our No. 4 hitter," Ozbun said. "She's got quick hands at the plate and her fundamentals are solid. Defensively, she has a rocket for an arm and tremendous accuracy.

"She's been behind the plate for more than 40 of our 45 games this year and she's still fresh. That girl is just high energy."

Denison's 2010 graduation ceremony is Sunday. Berkopec is getting a degree in sports management.

She only hopes she's not there to receive it.

"That's the date of the regional championship game," Berkopec said. "I hope I'm playing softball that day."

• Batting average: .480, first (school record is .437)• Slugging percentage: .800, first• On-base percentage: .521, first• Hits: 72, first (school record)• Home runs: 10, first (school record)• Total bases: 120, first• Plate appearances: 165, first• Games started: 45, first• Runs: 40, second• RBI: 41, second• Doubles: 16, first (ties school record)