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.
Several returning players
will bring back the experience needed to do so, including Megan
Stroh (All-Conference, Mount Assisi); Megan Ryan (Most Improved Player,
Queen of Peace High School); and
sophomore transfer Christy Atton (All-Conference and All-Area, Shepard High
School).
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."
