Rock Valley rolls to 9th Region 4 title

JOLIET, ILL. - Rock Valley College's reign carried into a ninth consecutive year as the Golden Eagles claimed the 2022 NJCAA Region 4 Division III Softball Tournament Championship with a 5-3 defeat over Joliet Junior College on May 14. Top-seeded and top-ranked RVC was led by Scout Kram, Kaitlin Stefek, Jenna Turner, and Madiosn Carlson, who were all named to the Region 4 All-Tournament Team. Darin Monroe and Vivi Marquez were named Region 4 Co-Coaches of the Year after guiding the seven-time defending national champions beyond the region tournament.

Rock Valley College opened postseason play with an 18-0 blanking of fourth-seeded Milwaukee Area Technical College, and then reached the championship with a 10-2 defeat of the second-seeded Wolves in the semifinals. After JJC eliminated third-seeded College of DuPage with a 9-1 decision to force the rematch, the Golden Eagles used three runs in the first inning to assume a early lead in the championship. Joliet Junior College fought back to tie the game in the top of the third, however, two runs in the bottom half was enough for RVC to claim the 5-3 victory.

At the NJCAA Midwest District Tournament, Rock Valley College upended Region 12 winner Owens Community College (OH) with scores of 10-2 and 7-2 to qualify for their ninth NJCAA Division III Softball Championships in DeWitt, New York, from May 25-28.

2022 Region 4 Division III All-Tournament Team
Scout Kram - Rock Valley College
Kaitlin Stefek - Rock Valley College
Jenna Turner - Rock Valley College
Madison Carlson - Rock Valley College
Lindsey Bouska - Joliet Junior College
Bailey Weck - Joliet Junior College
Zoe Ditter - Joliet Junior College
Kelsey Warren - College of DuPage
Paige Jahaski - College of DuPage
Chloe Sadowski - Milwaukee Area Technical College

2022 Region 4 Coach of the Year
Darin Monroe & Vivi Marquez - Rock Valley College