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Health & Fitness

Cyclones softball ends challenging season on high note

The Cyclones softball team plugged through the 2013 season finishing up in the NJCAA Region IV semi-finals.

Between the weather, a small roster and some injuries, Moraine Valley's softball team had a rough go of things in 2013. Ending at .500 in the conference and battling through some difficult matchups, the team came together to fight through a shorter than normal schedule and played some of their best games in the NJCAA Region IV semi-finals to end the season.

Including doubleheaders, the Cyclones couldn’t play 21 games due to poor weather. Paired with a roster of 11, including one player with an injured shoulder, Moraine Valley couldn’t afford to have any additional serious injuries to jeopardize the season. Despite all that, the Cyclones were 14-19 overall and 6-6 in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference. In their last 13 games the team had a 7-6 record. They kept many games close, including a couple meetings with powerhouse Kankakee Community College.

“In the last five games [including one against Kankakee] the team played well and ended on a high note. This was a rough season. You were always worried that someone would get hurt, and we already had one hurt to start,” said head coach Mike Veen. “But it worked out well. It wasn’t a great season, but it wasn’t terrible. I think the weather got us more than anything.”

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There were several huge contributors this year. Freshman Amie Raynor (Sandburg) took on a pitching role when asked, but primarily led the team at the plate batting .400 with a .429 on-base percentage. She had 39 RBIs, 15 doubles and six homeruns, ranking 38th in NJCAA Division II in slugging percentage with a .770. Freshman Ari Bulthius (Mother McAuley) wasn’t far behind with a .375 average and 23 RBIs while Jenny Vanek (Mother McAuley) finished with a .330, hitting 24 RBIs, five homeruns, five triples and seven doubles. Both Raynor and Vanek were named to the All-Conference first team. Sophomore Sam Staisiunas (Andrew) had another big year, batting .366 with 28 RBIs and earning her second consecutive nod to the All-Conference team while Danielle Stark (Stagg) batted .360. Sophomore Emily Kurek (Mount Assisi) came through on the mound for a number of games this season, even earning her first no-hitter against Morton College.

“This was a good group of girls. I’ll miss the sophomores, but I look forward to the freshman returning next year in addition to the recruits I have,” Veen said.

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Stark is hoping to continue her education and softball career at a local four-year university while Courtney Wheaton (Illiana Christian) has signed to play at Trinity Christian College.

For more information on Moraine Valley Athletics, visit www.morainevalley.edu/athletics/default.htm.

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