Cougars 14U-Red Softball Earns USSSA Nationals Berth

The Elmhurst Cougars 14U - Red softball team earned a berth to the United States Sports Specialty Association (USSSA) Nationals. To earn this distinction the Cougars placed second out of a field of eleven teams in the Roselle Rockers Summer Spectacular USSSA Qualifier.  The tournament was played from May 30 – June 2, 2013; the primary complex was the Clauss Fields in Roselle.  

The Cougars are a young 14U team by fast-pitch travel standards, with seven incoming freshman and three sophomores. In contrast, the Cougars found themselves in the midst of a number of teams with sophomore-laden rosters.  With positive, never-say-die attitudes the girls went deep into Sunday’s bracket play. Over the four day event the Cougars logged a 7-0 victory over the Kishwaukee Valley Storm, 5-5 tie with the Wheaton Wildcats – Blue, a rain-shortened suspension with the Naperville Diamonds with the Cougars leading 2-1, a 10-7 victory over the Bartlett Silverhawks, and a thrilling 4-3 come from behind win over the Wheaton Wildcats – Blue. 

The Cougars are coached by Mark Kikos, Al Potaczek, and Jim Bingham; the team includes (in alphabetical order):  Hannah Bingham, Morgan Bojesen, Kaitlyn Falduto, Anna Hubert, Sarina Kao, Hanna Kikos, Maddy Matura, Natalie Nowacki, Kati Potaczek, and Brianna Suchy. 

This Cougar team is a member of the Elmhurst Cougars Baseball and Softball Club. Formed in 1992, the Cougars are Elmhurst’s oldest full-time youth travel baseball and softball organization. For their 21st year the Cougars are fielding seven baseball and four fast-pitch softball teams for youth aged 9 through 16. Want to be a Cougar and wear red, white, and blue? Tryouts for our 2013-2014 teams will be August 3 – August 4, 2013; times by age-group will be announced in the coming weeks. Visit www.elmhurstcougars.net and www.facebook.com/elmhurstcougars to connect with the Elmhurst Cougars.