Last year the Cyclones were focused on the outcomes. This year it's all about the process of getting the big wins, and they have the pieces to do it.

Nine players from last year have returned and are joined by five freshmen and one transfer. This is the first fully recruited team from Head Coach Scott Sobol as he enters his third season.

"There's more depth on the roster this year with 15. They are good softball players, and it's their primary sport. The five freshmen will make a big impact, and they're all committed to two years here," he said. "I looked to get a good assimilated group that would gel with skills and in character. They blend well."

In the offseason, the pitchers not only worked on bettering their arms, but also improved on hitting. Batting coaches practiced with the entire team as well.

The focus this year is multi-faceted. The Cyclones are emphasizing the offensive short game and not letting up on hitting. With a number of good bunters on the team and speed, the Cyclones anticipate creating more run opportunities. They've also been practicing more aggressive base running to force the other team to make mistakes.

Some of that speed on the base paths will come from newcomers Lex Leighton (Providence) and Marissa Faletti (Oak Forest). Leighton was an All-State player as a junior in high school, and Faletti is a skilled outfielder who can make things happen at the plate. The Cyclones will look to freshmen Fran Beggs (Argo) and Brianna Dvorak (Stagg) as well as sophomores Donna Booe (Reavis), who was All-Region and All-Conference last season, and Jessica Coyle (Shepard) for power at the plate. Beggs generates a lot of batting power to match Booe while also having the skills to play nearly every position on the field. Freshmen Abbie Wantroba (Sandburg) is a tenacious and skilled infielder who loves the game, and Zoe Supanich (Sandburg) is versatile in where she can play on the field, but will primarily be catching. Sophomore Madi Davis (Lockport) is back behind the plate as the starting catcher. She topped the conference and region last season for throwing out runners. Morgan Moran (Stagg), Angela Abrand (Richards) and Darcee Nichols (Lockport), last year's All-Conference, also return with their experience and talent.

The pitchers are all sophomores who played last year: Mariah Martinez (Shepard), who earned All-Conference honors, Liz McCuan (Mother McAuley) and Karly Krown (Stagg). Martinez worked on her changeup in the offseason and improved her curveball. She's not afraid to throw inside and can dominate batters. McCuan had some of the best stuff in the conference and worked hard last summer to be even better. With great ball movement and a deadly screwball, she'll be a threat on the mound. Krown has solid control with good movement and gives up few walks. She also can field well and hit with power, another bonus for the Cyclone lineup.

With renewed focus, the Cyclones have individually expressed their drive to win a region championship. They also believe they can be just as competitive in conference. Although Sobol suggests the team underachieved last season, he takes the blame. He didn't give enough credence to the athletes' transition from high school to college, but knows this year's group has what it takes. As long as they stay healthy, the Cyclones can go deep in the season.

"We are three-deep at every position. We can put one through nine batters up to make contact and make a difference," Sobol said. "We have a common goal. I'm really excited about this year. The bar has been set from other Moraine Valley sports teams, and now it's our turn to get on the radar. We're looking for that same success."