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May 13, 2008
Softball team finishes season on top of conference with a ground out in the regionals

After an exciting season that included a 16-game winning streak, scoring at least four runs almost every game and being ranked ninth in team batting averages in Division II of the NJCAA, the Moraine Valley softball team ended the year at the Region IV finals held in Joliet.

The team played well all season, resulting in a 10-2 record in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and 24-9 overall record. Because of identical conference records, Moraine was conference co-champion with the College of Lake County. The Cyclones advanced to the Region IV finals after sweeping Oakton Community College at home April 29 in two games, 4-1 and 11-2. At regionals, May 3, the team lost two games, 4-5 to Lake County and 5-9 to McHenry County, eliminating them from the tournament.

“We did have high expectations for this year’s team. We asked one of two goals—to win conference and the other to go to nationals,” said head coach Aleka Letsos. “We were also in the top 10 in the nation for team batting average, which is pretty amazing.”

Letsos was pleased with the overall season and the strengths her athletes demonstrated this year, while also looking forward to the power her team should have next season. “Our goal is to regroup to win solo conference instead of sharing and go to nationals,” Letsos said. “We’re very excited for next year. We’re only losing three with nine returning sophomores-to-be. With all the veterans and the new kids, we should be a dominating force.”

Several players received post-season honors, including first-year students Samantha Abrego (T.F. North), Jessica Noble (Oak Lawn), Ashley Barry (Marist), Claudia Kovach (Eisenhower) and second-year student Megan Stroh (Mt. Assisi) who were all named to the All-Conference First Team while first-year student Janessa Guerrero (Queen of Peace) earned a spot on the All-Conference Second Team. All-Region First Team honors went to Abrego and Second Team to Noble. In addition, Abrego ranked 13 in individual hitting stats in Division II NJCAA this season. Her batting average was .516 with 39 RBIs.

2008 Season Preview
Cyclones look to advance to national tournament

The 2008 season should be a very successful year for the Cyclones' softball team.  After finishing second in conference last year and finishing the season one game away from the national tournament, head coach Aleka Letsos is convinced that her team is even more determined to win conference and advance to nationals this year.

Letsos expects these players will lead the way for a tremendous freshmen recruiting class, including Samantha Abrego (All-Conference and All-Area, Thornton Fractional North High School); Jessica Noble (All-Conference and All-Area, Oak Lawn High School); Ashley Barry (All-Conference, Marist High School); Claudia Kovach (All-Conference, Eisenhower High School); Natalie D'Ambrosio (All-Conference, Montini Catholic High School); Janessa Guererro (Queen of Peace High School); Kelly Jansky (All-Conference, Whiting [Indiana] High School); Stacey Sterkowitz (Andrew High School); and Cassie Horbach (Marist High School).

"We are absolutely loaded with talent this year," Letsos said. "It will be interesting to see which girls step up and really commit themselves to our program. The girls who prove they can get it done in the classroom and on the softball field are the ones who demonstrate they should be in the starting lineup. With such a talented roster, there are no guarantees at this point.

"Teamwork and chemistry also will be very important," Letsos said. "We'll only be as successful as our team unity will allow us, but once that falls into place, many great things will happen for this team."

The 2008 softball media guide will be available soon. Please check back for updates.

2007 Softball Media Guide

2008 Season
Season Record: 24-9-1
Conference Record: 10-2

All-Region IV First Team: Samantha Abrego
All-Region IV Second Team: Jessica Noble
All-Conference First Team: Samantha Abrego, Jessica Noble, Ashley Barry, Claudia Kovach and Megan Stroh
All-Conference Second Team: Janessa Guerrero

* denotes Skyway Conference games

2007 Season
Season Record: 21-16; Conference Record: 7-4

Finished Second in Region IV Playoffs

All Region IV 1st Team: Natalie Wigginton
All Region IV 2nd Team: Annie McEldowney
All-Conference 1st Team: Dawn Garces, Annie McEldowney, Megan Stroh, Natalie Wigginton