The softball team has won the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship eight times — 2022, 2021 (co-champs), 2008 (co-champs), 2005, 2002 (co-champs), 2000, 1999, 1998, 1996, including an undefeated season in 2022 and 1999.
They were sectional champions in 1987 and appeared in the NJCAA national tournament in 1989.
NJCAA Division II All-Americans: Nikki Netzel (pitcher) 2005 honorable mention; Jennifer Justin (infield) 1989 first team; Jean Tripan (outfield) 1989 honorable mention; Janet Grice (outfield) 1988 second team; Beth Ann Kross (infield) 1986 honorable mention; Renee Strasser (outfield) 1985 first team; Kym Campin (shortstop) 1983 second team
Some additional standout players include Danielle Travis, Abigail Koran, Emily Gorski, Hannah Theilmann, Sam Owens, Carly Trinley, Sandy Saunders and Samantha Abrego.
Travis earned Skyway MVP and nods to the All-NJCAA Region IV first team in 2022. She averaged .420 with 37 RBIs, 58 hits, 13 doubles and six homeruns.
In her 2022 debut with the Cyclones, Koran was named Skyway Pitcher of the Year. On April 23, she threw a perfect game and finished the season (albeit injured) with 96 strikeouts and a 1.98 ERA.
Gorski was the starting pitcher her freshman year (2021), but also led her team at the plate with a .468 batting average and .524 on-base percentage. She was named to the All-Conference first team and All-Region second team.
Theilmann won every conference game she pitched during the 2015 season and also earned All-Conference and All-Region IV honors. She was named Skyway Pitcher of the Year in 2016 thanks to a collective 2.12 ERA, 63 strikeouts, 16 walks, and eight wins in conference. She was on the All-Region and All-Conference team in 2016 as well.
Owens was named to the All-Region team in her first season with the Cyclones (2016) after averaging .565 with a .611 on-base percentage, 21 RBIs, 11 doubles, one triple, and 26 hits.
Trinley was named Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015. She averaged .378 at the plate in 2014 and .354 in 2015.
As pitcher, Saunders was named 2011 Skyway Player of the Year. That honor came one year after she maintained a 1.96 ERA over 89 innings, striking out 70 batters and giving up just 25 earned runs.
As a freshman in 2008, Abrego earned All-Conference and All-Region first team honors. She secured a .516 batting average with 39 RBIs, ranking her No. 13 in individual hitting stats in NJCAA Division II.
All-Region Team
2023: Nicole Wagner
2022: Brianna Dvorak, Danielle Travis, Abbie Wantroba
2021: Emily Gorski, Danielle Travis
All-Conference Team
First Team
2024: Mya Granados
2023: Nicole Wagner
2022: Brianna Dvorak, Alexandria Palumbo, Kara Riordan, Abbie Wantroba
2021: Brianna Dvorak, Emily Gorski, Danielle Travis
Second Team
2024: Megan McClelland
2023: Allie Palumbo
2022: Arianna Andersen, Emily Madrigal, Emily Manso
2021: Fran Beggs, Abbie Wantroba
Honorable Mention
2024: Cassidy Ostema
2023: Emily Manso
2022: Emily Koprowski, Ashley Roberts
2021: Kara Riordan, Lexi Udaykee