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Men's Baseball

May 14, 2009
Lights out on baseball season

The baseball team fought all season-long and ended a tough year in the Region IV sectional playoffs held May 8-9. Injuries to some key starters and incessantly rainy weather were a couple obstacles this season.

The Cyclones started play the week of March 8 at spring training in Florida with a batch of games against tough competitors and held their own. Throughout the year several players had some big run-producing games and good outings on the mound. After battling for three games in the playoffs, the team ended with an overall 18-25 season record and 5-8 conference record.

"I was pleased with the effort of this year’s squad. They gave me all they had and competed hard all season," said head coach Dan De Caprio. "These young men will be successful the rest of their lives."

Team members earning post-season recognition included All-Region second team selection Matt Shilney, first team All-Conference recipients Shilney and Jason Stengle, followed by All-Conference second team honorees Matt Ginn, Dave Letourneau, Brian Koronkowski, and Matt Stauffer. Shilney, Stengle and Letourneau also were selected to participate in the Region IV All-Star game on May 26.

May 13, 2009
Game Recaps

May 9, Sectional Championship Game
Moraine Valley 4    Kankakee 9
Matt Stauffer helped get the early lead with a two-run double while Matt Ginn added two hits of his own. Stauffer pitched a no-hitter through six innings while the Cyclones were winning 4-0. Eric Duschean put out the fire in the seventh with a double play to maintain a 4-3 lead. Kankakee, however, scored six runs in the eighth to win the game and advance to the next round of playoffs.

May 8, Region IV Division II Sectionals
Moraine Valley 11    Highland C.C. 3
Alex Triantafillo picked up the win pitching 6 1/3 innings, giving up one hit and one run while striking out four. Jason Depue, Matt Ginn and Dave Letourneau each had two hits for the game.

Moraine Valley 4    Kankakee 8
Jason Depue and Brian Koronkowski each had a pair of hits. Dave Hamstra took the loss on the mound for the Cyclones.

May 6, 2009
Game Recap

May 3 @ Kishwaukee Community College
Moraine Valley 9    Kishwaukee 7
The Cyclones took the opener with three pitchers on the mound: Justin Stengle picking up the win in relief of Dave Hamstra and Alex Triantafillo picking up the save. Jason Depue continued to swing the hot bat with two hits.

Moraine Valley 9    Kishwaukee 12
Brian Koronkowski was 4-for-4 while Depue, Stengle, Matt Stauffer, and Matt Shilney had two hits apiece.

The Cyclones are heading into the playoffs this weekend with an overall record of 17-22 and 5-8 conference record.

Cyclone Honors
Several Cyclones were selected to All-Conference teams. First team honors went to Matt Shilney and Jason Stengle. Matt Ginn, Dave Letourneau, Brian Koronkowski, and Matt Stauffer received second team honors.

May 3, 2009
Game Recap

May 2 vs. Sauk Valley Community College
Moraine Valley 4    Sauk Valley 5
Matt Stauffer gave up only two earned runs and two hits and posted six strikeouts, but took the loss. Matt Shilney had three hits, two of which were home runs.

Moraine Valley 11    Sauk Valley 6
Jason Depue hit his first home run of the season to lead the 12-hit attack for the Cyclones. Depue, Shilney and Ben Szafoni each had two hits. Starting pitcher John Katsikas picked up the win with relief from Tom Kruse over the final two innings.

April 28, 2009
Game Recap

April 27 @ College of Lake County
Moraine Valley 5    Lake County 7
The Cyclones took an early 2-0 lead with Matt Shilney's towering 420-foot home run, his eighth of the season. Justin Stengle contributed two doubles and Ben Szafoni also had two hits. Jason Depue and Matt Ginn later drove in two more runs to knot the game at 5-5. With the score tied in the fifth inning, pitcher Alex Triantafillo came in relief for starter John Katsikas, but gave up two runs and took the loss.

The second game was suspended at the end of the fourth inning due to wet field conditions. The game may be made up if it impacts the conference championship.

April 27, 2009
Game Recap

April 24 @ Morton College
Moraine Valley 13    Morton 5
Matt Stauffer picked up a complete five-hit game win, striking out 10. Matt Ginn went 4-for-4, with two home runs and six RBI's. John Katsikas, Dave Letourneau and Matt Shilney each hit a home run as well. The 17-hit barrage was aided by Dennis DeLaRosa, Jason Depue, Brian Koronkowski, Letourneau, and Katsikas who each had two hits for the game.

Moraine Valley 16    Morton 5
Matt Ginn hit his third home run of the day, his fifth in two days. Dave Letourneau and Matt Shilney both picked up their second home runs, and Justin Stengle also added a home run in the 14-hit attack. Letourneau was 3-for-3, and Jason Depue, Ben Szafoni, Shilney, and Stengle each had two hits. Winning pitcher Tom Kruse pitched a complete five-hit game, striking out three over five innings. The Cyclones ended the night cap after five innings because of the “slaughter” rule.

The Cyclones had 31 hits and nine home runs for the double-header giving them a four-game winning streak. The overall team record is 15-20, and the conference record is 5-7.

April 24, 2009
Game Recap

April 23 @ Olive Harvey College
Moraine Valley 8    Olive Harvey 4
Down 3-1 going into the sixth inning, in dramatic fashion the Cyclones scored eight runs in the final two innings. A three-run home run by Matt Ginn tied the game and a two-run base hit by Brian Koronkowski scored the winning runs. Dave Letourneau then drove in Koronkowski for a six-run sixth. Koronkowski would pick up another RBI in the seventh inning driving in Dennis DeLaRosa. Jason Depue stole home to finalize the score. Eric Duschean held on and pitched a complete game giving up five hits and striking out three for the win.

Moraine Valley 6    Olive Harvey 4
In his second clutch home run of the day, Matt Ginn hit a towering game winning home run in the 10th to win the night cap. Justin Stengle pitched seven solid innings before handing the ball over to Alex Triantafillo, who picked up the win. Dennis DeLaRosa had three hits and was solid catching behind the plate.

April 23, 2009
Game Recap

April 22 @ Elgin Community College
Moraine Valley 5    Elgin 8
Ace pitcher John Katsikas took the loss but pitched a complete game striking out six. Matt Shilney continued his hot hitting streak and had two of the Cyclones’ eight hits.

Moraine Valley 0    Elgin 7
The Cyclones could only manage four hits and were shut out. Dennis DeLaRosa, Brian Koronkowski, Juan Perez, and Justin Stengle each had hits and played well defensively for the Cyclones in the nightcap.

April 20, 2009
Game Recap

April 18 vs. Waubonsee Community College
Moraine Valley 5    Waubonsee 15
Matt Shilney and Matt Ginn both hit home runs and had two hits, but the Cyclones could only manage five hits in game one. Alex Triantafillo was the losing pitcher.

Moraine Valley 12    Waubonsee 2
John Katsikas had a no hitter for four innings and pitched a two-hit complete game to split the doubleheader with Waubonsee. Four Cyclones led the 14-hit attack. Brian Koronkowski and Dave Letourneau each had three hits and two RBI'S. Jason Depue and Justin Stengel had two hits and two RBI'S.

April 18, 2009
Game Recap

April 17 vs. South Suburban College
Moraine Valley 9    South Suburban 11
Matt Shilney and Ben Szafoni each had three hits. Justin Stengle and Matt Ginn also added two hits apiece in the losing cause.

April 17, 2009
Game Recap

April 16 @ College of DuPage
Moraine Valley 2    DuPage 10
Matt Shilney and Juan Perez each had two hits in a losing cause. Jason Depue took the loss on the mound but only gave up two earned runs of the 10 allowed and struck out six as the defense committed seven errors behind him.

The Cyclones are now 10-16 overall and 2-4 in conference.

April 16, 2009
Game Recap

April 15 vs. Prairie State College
Moraine Valley 4    Prairie State 8
Dave Letourneau had two hits, and Eric Duschean took the loss for the Cyclones.

Moraine Valley 6    Prairie State 1
The Cyclones scored enough runs behind a complete game performance by David Hamstra who had seven strikeouts and scattered four hits to win the nightcap. Brian Koronkowski and Matt Shilney each had two hits.

April 12, 2009
Game Recap

April 11 vs. McHenry County College
Moraine Valley 3 McHenry 7
Despite striking out six and allowing two earned runs John Katsikas took the loss in a complete game performance. The Cyclones only managed four scattered hits by Katsikas, Dennis DeLaRosa, Matt Ginn, and Juan Perez.

Moraine Valley 10    McHenry 5
The Cyclone bats came alive in the nightcap with 15 hits. Matt Ginn and Dave Letourneau had three hits apiece while Isaac Padilla and A.J. Higgins each had two hits. Alex Triantafillo pitched a four-hitter striking out five over five innings to pick up the win. Matt Stauffer finished the game striking out three over two innings.

April 10, 2009
Game Recap

April 9 vs. Kankakee Community College
Moraine Valley 3    Kankakee 17
In a losing cause, Ben Szafoni and Juan Perez each had two hits. Perez, Dave Letourneau and John Katsikas each had an RBI. Starting pitcher Justin Stengle took the loss.

April 6, 2009
Cyclones can't get past Raiders

April 4 vs. Oakton Community College
Moraine Valley 2    Oakton 4
Despite a well pitched combined four-hitter by Alex Triantafillo and Eric Duschean, the Cyclones lost a close game. Triantafillo picked up the loss to a tough Oakton team. The Cyclones out hit the Raiders with six scattered hits, and RBI’s were picked up by Dave Letourneau and Matt Shilney.

Moraine Valley 4    Oakton 5
John Katsikas got the loss, but only gave up four hits. Shilney had three hits and two RBI’s, Brian Koronkowski and Audy Higgins also each added two hits.

March 30, 2009
A split for the Cyclones

March 27 @ Sauk Valley College
Moraine Valley 0    Sauk Valley 3
Brain Koronkowski had three hits and has gone 12/15 over the last four games. Alex Triantafillo pitched well striking out seven and giving up only five hits, but received the loss.

Moraine Valley 6    Sauk Valley 2
Justin Stengle picked up his first win of the season scattering six hits over six innings. Tom Kruse pitched relief and struck out the side to secure the win. Brian Koronkowski and Matt Shilney had two hits each.

The Cyclones are hitting .323 with a .447 slugging percentage and .422 on-base average. Their opponents are hitting .273 with a .391 slugging percentage and .433 on-base percentage.

March 27, 2009
Cyclones crush Hawks

March 26 @ Harper College
Moraine Valley 12    Harper 3
John Katsikas picked up his second straight win scattering seven hits in a complete game performance. The Cyclones had 18 hits led by Brian Koronkowski and Matt Shilney with four apiece. Shilney also had five RBI's. Matt Ginn and Ben Szafoni added three hits each while Katsikas and Shilney each hit home runs.

Moraine Valley 15    Harper 9
Brian Koronkowski, Dave Letourneau and Matt Shilney had three hits each. Audy Higgins hit his first home run and Dave Hamstra picked up his first win of the season striking out six and scattering six hits.

March 26, 2009
Cyclones come up short in big numbers game

March 25 vs. College of DuPage
Moraine Valley 17    College of DuPage 24
The scores resembled a football game, but pitchers from both teams were roughed up in a combined 41-run windy game. "No we have not reinstated football at Moraine Valley and yes that is the highest run production from any college baseball game that I have witnessed in 28 years," said coach Dan De Caprio. As pleased as De Caprio was with the offensive production, he was just as unhappy with the Cyclones' pitching and defense.

Ben Szafoni led a 14-hit production going 4/6. Matt Ginn and Justin Stengle hit home runs. Stengle along with Brian Koronkowski, Matt Shilney and Isaac Padilla added two hits apiece.

The Cyclones are 5-9 and play doubleheaders Thursday, March 26, and Friday, March 27, at Harper College and Sauk Valley College, respectively, before returning home Monday, March 30, to play South Suburban College.

March 25, 2009
Shutout for Cyclones

March 24 vs. Indiana University Northwest
Moraine Valley 6    Indiana 0
Jason Depue recorded his first win of the season with a complete game shutout. The Cyclones are currently ranked fifth in NJCAA Region IV Division II.

March 23, 2009
Cyclones split two

March 22 @ Rock Valley College
Moraine Valley 7    Rock Valley 10
Matt Shilney and Dave Letourneau each had three hits. Shilney hit his second home run of the season. Alex Triantafillo took the loss giving up a three-run home run in the fifth inning.

Moraine Valley 12    Rock Valley 5
The Cyclones pounded out nine hits led by Matt Ginn, who had two hits and his first home run of the season. Shilney added two hits. John Katsikas picked up his first win this season with seven strikeouts in four innings of relief.

March 22, 2009
Rough loss for Cyclones

March 19 @ Kankakee Community College
Moraine Valley 2    Kankakee 13
The first inning was rough for the Cyclones, who committed six errors, and losing pitcher Tom Kruse, who gave up 10 runs with only four earned. Justin Stengle and Sean Boyle each pitched well in relief after the Cyclones settled down defensively for the remainder of the game. John Katsikas had two hits and two RBI's, while Dave Letourneau and Matt Ginn added two hits apiece in the loss.

March 19, 2009
A win and loss in home opener

March 17 vs. Robert Morris College
Moraine Valley 8    Robert Morris JV 7
Eric Duschean won his first regular season game, second game in a row including a spring training game. Matt Shilney had a walk-off two-run home run in the ninth inning to secure the victory.

Moraine Valley 6    Robert Morris 9
Jason Depue was the losing pitcher. Brian Koronkowski, Audy Higgins and Dan Guerrero each had two hits.

March 13, 2009
Cyclones ready for action

The 2009 Moraine Valley Cyclones baseball team looks to build on last season’s strong finish, which included winning 18 of their last 21 games. The 2008 squad notched an overall record of 24-22-1, and finished second in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference with an 8-6 record. Head coach Dan De Caprio is excited about the upcoming season after last year’s effort.

Leading the way this season are returning all-conference players catcher Dan Guerrero (Lincoln-Way Central) and pitcher John Katsikas (Addison Trail). The veterans, transfer students and freshmen have blended into a squad that should compete for not only the conference championship but also for a decent showing in post-season play. The team is loaded with great speed and power allowing for small ball play and big innings. Pitching and defense is excellent with a lot of depth.

The Cyclones are competing in the Palm Beach Challenge in Florida for spring training for the second year in a row. To start their trip the team opens up against Miami Dade College, which is already 17-3 for their season, and Broward Community College. De Caprio chose a tough tournament to start the season to better prepare his team. “If you’re going to be the best, you have to play the best. Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity, and my guys have prepared well.”

Returning sophomore pitchers Dave Hamstra (Chicago Christian), Eric Duschean (Eisenhower), Justin Stengle (Richards), and outfielder Dave Letourneau (St. Rita) should provide the leadership and experience the Cyclones are looking for to achieve their goals.

Transfer students shortstop Audy Higgins (Stagg/Quincy University), first baseman/pitcher Matt Shilney (Lockport/Edgewood College), third baseman/pitcher Alex Triantafillo (De La Salle/University of Wisconsin-Parkside), third baseman Matt Ginn (Evergreen Park/Air Force), and outfielder Jordan Jones (Seton/Chicago State) are welcome additions.

Twelve pitchers are on staff led by starting arms freshmen Matt Stauffer (Stagg) and Jason Depue (St. Rita), and sophomores Tom Kruse (Oak Lawn), Katsikas, Hamstra, Duschean, Stengle, and Triantafillo all battling for the six-man rotation. In the bullpen are relief pitchers Sean Boyle (Oak Lawn), Brian Koronkowski (De La Salle), Ginn, and Shilney.

Moraine Valley is fortunate to have three outstanding catchers with Guerrero and freshmen Dennis DeLaRosa (Jones College Prep) and Isaac Padilla (Curie).

The infield will have three first basemen, Shilney, Katsikas and Stengle, rotating between their pitching assignments. Ginn, Duschean and freshman Juan Perez (Reavis), who also doubles as a shortstop, will handle the hot corner at third. The middle is solid with Higgins at shortstop and Koronkowski at second. Collectively the infield is strong.

The outfield will be led by Letourneau in center field flanked by Depue, Ginn, Hamstra, Katsikas, Stauffer, Stengle, Jones, or Ben Szafoni (Richards), all of whom have speed and great arms.