Big roster and new coaches lend to excitement, optimism for Moraine Valley softball season

A deep roster combined with experienced incoming assistant coaches makes for an exciting prospective spring season for Moraine Valley Community College softball.

Head Coach Ari Bulthuis is hopeful for her team to win the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference as they did during her first two seasons at the helm (2020-22). Injuries last season sidelined some key players and team aspirations, but this year, Bulthuis has the numbers and the talent to yield some good softball.

“I want us to break this tough streak and get back to the winning years. Last year, our Achilles’ heel was injuries. We have a good group with the numbers, so we have backup and depth, which helps. We’re looking up this year,” she noted.

The lineup includes 19 players, five of whom are pitchers – a rarity – and several utility players who are interchangeable on the field. Seven are sophomores who carried over a positive attitude to influence the newcomers.

Among the returning leaders is pitcher/infielder Brooklynn Sedlak (Shepard), who was injured for a portion of last season and still averaged .465 at the plate. Catcher/infielder Estelle Loth (Sandburg) was another leader at the plate, averaging .432 with 54 RBIs, earning her All-Conference second team honors. She’ll bring more power to the plate. Last year’s All-Conference second team outfielders Madelynn Larmon (Oak Forest) and Annabelle Rush (Oak Forest) also should be assets to the team.

Incoming freshmen and transfer athletes include Sedlak’s sister, Londynn Sedlak (Shepard), with a cannon in the outfield; transfer outfielder Jill Zodrow (Lockport) who has a high softball IQ and big range in the outfield, unafraid to dive for the ball; Haley Tracy (Sandburg), first basewoman and pitcher with a wicked changeup who also brings power to the plate; and transfer utility player and pitcher Abbie Trendle (De La Salle) with speed on the bases.

Joining Bulthuis in the dugout for the first time are two softball alumnae – Mariah Martinez, the pitching coach, and Megan (Pyles) Quinn as the assistant coach. This coaching staff of Cyclones alumnae bring enthusiasm and knowledge to lead the young crew.

“We’re ready to go and super excited,” Bulthuis said. “We have level goals; we’re not trying to shoot for the moon. We want to play good ball and stay healthy. We want to focus on the day-to-day instead of the future, so there are no distractions.”

The Cyclones home opener is a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 25 at 3 p.m. against Joliet Junior College. For updates on Cyclones Athletics, visit mvcyclones.com.