MVNU began the season by sweeping a non-conference doubleheader at Saint Vincent (Pa.) College before heading to Florida for the team’s annual spring trip to the Orlando Rebel Games. The Lady Cougars won their first three games down south before dropping back-to-back games as the team’s record stood at 5-2.

Then, MVNU won the final five games on the trip as the team went 8-2 for the first time on its spring trip. The winning streak continued when the Lady Cougars returned north as MVNU swept non-conference doubleheaders from both Wilmington College and Kenyon College to improve to 14-2 overall.

On March 31, the Lady Cougars played their first home games of the season at new Cougar Field as 410 fans showed up to watch MVNU edge Walsh University 6-4 in the first contest to successfully open the new facility as the team’s winning streak grew to 10 straight.

After dropping its next two games, the Lady Cougars rattled off three straight wins to improve to 18-4 as MVNU looked in good shape to make the American Mideast Conference Tournament.

However, the team went 2-10 over the next 12 games to stand at 20-14 and finish AMC South Division play with a 5-9 conference mark that was good for sixth place in the standings.

The Lady Cougars did end their season on a high note, though, as MVNU swept a non-conference doubleheader from Case Western Reserve University to give head coach Jeana Howald exactly 400 career wins in 18 seasons with the program.

“We got off to a great start this year and really found ways to win games,” said Howald. “However, some key injuries in the middle of our season really caught up with us in the second half and we weren’t able to pull out some of the games that we had found a way to win early on.”

“Despite the disappointing way that the season ended, I really liked the make-up of this team,” Howald added. “We have some very talented players who are all competitive and worked together to try to get the job done. We were not always successful, but we did everything as a team and stuck together through the good times and the tough times. I am really proud of this team.”

Seniors Laura Kot, Melody Blimline, and Jennifer Meade each wrapped up their careers in 2007. Kot, a second baseman, put together an outstanding year and led the team with a .462 batting average and 17 stolen bases as she also compiled three doubles, one triple, 12 RBI, and 27 runs scored. For her career, she ranks first in school history in singles (185), second in batting average (.427) and stolen bases (41), third in hits (209), and fourth in runs scored (113).

Blimline, a first baseman, posted a .281 batting average with two doubles, two home runs, 10 runs scored, and 11 RBI in her final season as she also ranked third in school history with 691 career putouts. Meanwhile, Meade, an outfielder, posted a .186 batting average in her final season with three doubles, six RBI, and five runs scored.

Junior right-handed pitcher Kristin Eyerman compiled a 13-6 record on the mound with a 1.80 ERA. She struck out 85 batters in 128.1 innings and issued just 25 walks. She was 6-1 going into the team’s doubleheader against Kenyon when she was hit by a line drive in the mouth during the course of the first game. She did return to the mound to pitch after that, but she was forced to wear a protective mask.

Sophomore third baseman Karly Clay put together a solid season as she batted .376 with a team-high 14 doubles, 28 RBI, four triples, one home run, and 19 runs scored while starting all 36 games.

Sophomore outfielders Chelsea Kellerman (.292), Whitney Clark (.241), and Laura Morris (.200) each contributed to the team’s success, while sophomore right-handed pitcher Kylie Rupert posted a 4-5 record on the mound with a 3.19 ERA.

MVNU’s talented freshman class was led by shortstop Tasha Konkle, who batted .327 with six doubles, one home run, 15 RBI, 24 runs scored, and five stolen bases while committing just 10 errors in 164 chances at short.

Catcher Caitlin Murphy started all 36 games behind the plate and batted .322 with nine doubles, three triples, two home runs, 15 RBI, and 27 runs. She also threw out 17 of the 38 runners who tried to steal on her and picked off six others.

Michelle Gastin, a designated player, batted .324 with five doubles, one home run, 21 RBI, and 16 runs scored, while Leslie Banichar batted .296 with two doubles, two triples, 16 RBI, 11 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases while starting all 36 games in centerfield without committing an error.

Freshman first baseman Lauretta Wallace posted a .265 batting average with nine RBI and 12 runs scored in 28 games, while freshmen pitchers Staci Graham (2-0, 3.27 ERA) and Colleen Potter (3-3, 3.73 ERA) were key members of the pitching staff.

With the core group of returning players having another year of experience under their belts, the future looks bright for the Lady Cougars when the 2008 season rolls around.