Our History
Subscribe to our NewsletterThe Lightning teams are made up of girls from throughout the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. We are based in Elgin, IL. We play our home games at Judson University in Elgin as well as the Elgin Sports Complex.
The Lightning was formed in 2000 and spent its first season as an affiliate of the Elgin Heat. In 2001, the Lightning name was born. The goal of our women’s team is to provide college players an outlet in the summer to keep their skills sharp, play competitive fastpitch and enjoy the game without the pressures they face on their college teams. We also cater to graduated college players who loved the game, stay in shape and enjoy playing in the summer at a highly competitive level. Our women's team has been a national power as well, finishing third at the USSSA 18 & over World Series in both 2006 and 2007.
In 2006, we added an 18U team to the Lightning family and in 2007 a 16U team. Those teams have been competitive since their inception and we strive to give college exposure to those who want it, provide a fun and safe environment, teach the game, and promote good sportsmanship. Our coaches have experience at both the high school and college level and they are all excellent teachers of the game. In 2009, our 18U Black team finished 9th at ASA North Nationals. In 2011, the 18U team finished 4th at ASA North Nationals, the highest national tournament finish for any Lightning ASA JO team to date. In 2012, the 18U team finished 5th at ASA North Nationals with almost twice as many teams present than the previous year.
2012 Women's Roster
# - Name: 2 - Julia DiMonte, 4 - Laura Behnke, 5 - Natalie Shank, 7 - Erin Sweeney, 10 - Kayla Hurd, 11 - Nicole Beck, 12 - Kaitlin Hardie, 18 - Tarah McShane, 21 - Brandi Hernandez, 23 - Megan Mattera, 24 - Jenna Mychko, 25 - Genny Duffy, 27 - Elissa Wisniewski, 33 - Rebekah Ozga, 42 - Emily Mahoney. Coaches: John Radtke, Mark Hardie, and Steve McShane.
2011 Women's Roster
#- Name: 00- Alex Lagesse, 1- Lauren Ott, 2- Sarah McCleary, 4- Michelle Gorzelle, 7- Erin Sweeney, 9- Sara Strickland, 11- Courtney LaFerle, 12- Kaitlin Hardie, 13- Megan Hardie, 20- Jessica Dobson, 21- Brandi Hernandez, 22- Lindsay Nauman, 24- Sarah Carlson, 25- Genny Duffy, 26- Karisa Hansen, 33- Rebekah Ozga, 42- Emily Mahoney. Coaches: John Radtke, Ron Hansen, and Mark Hardie.
2010 Women's Roster
#- Name: 00-Alex Lagesse, 1- Lauren Ott, 2- Sarah McCleary, 3- Sara Brandal, 6- Nikki Schlagel, 9- Sara Strickland, 10- Jaci Corn, 11- Courtney LaFerle, 13- Kaitlin Hardie, 14- Megan Hardie, 17- Sarah Carlson, 20- Jessica Dobson, 22- Lindsay Naumann, 26- Karisa Hansen, 42- Emily Mahoney. Coaches: John Radtke, Mark Hardie, Ron Hansen.
2009 Women's Roster
#- Name: 00- Alex Lagesse, 2- Sarah McCleary, 4- Michelle Gorzelle, 5- Shannon Starr, 6- Nikki Schlagel, 10- Jaci Corn, 11- Courtney LaFerle, 13- Deanna Angelini, 20- Chassidy Mangers, 22- Lindsay Nauman, 26- Karisa Hansen, 27- Elissa Wisniewski, 33- Megan Pozezinski, 44- Kelli Whipple, 99- Kylie Albright. Coaches: John Radtke, Ron Hansen.
2008 Women's Roster
#- Name: 2- Amy Gahl, 4- Michelle Gorzelle, 7- Christine McGivney, 10- Jaci Corn, 11- Courtney LaFerle, 14- Kim Corcoran, 19- Nicole Guska, 24- Suzanne Gersich, 26- Karisa Hansen, 27- Elissa Wisniewski, 31- Chaleene Rumpf, 32- Ashley Smith, 34- Aimee Ewert, 44- Kelli Whipple, 88- Abbie Bates. Part-Time: 1- Kayla Oranger, 3- Ali Driscoll, 5- Aly Kelly, 17- Colleen Cotton, 17- Erica Maisto. Coaches: John Radtke, Ron Hansen, Dan Walter.
2007 Women's Roster
#- Name: 7- Christine McGivney, 10- Jaci Corn, 13- Jill Jozefowicz, 14- Kim Corcoran, 16- Aly Kelly, 23- Lissa Fehlman, 24- Suzanne Gersich, 26- Karisa Hansen, 27- Elissa Wisniewski, 31- Chaleen Rumpf, 32- Ashley Smith, 42- Abby Young, 44- Kelli Whipple, 88- Abbie Bates. Part-Time: 4- Heidi Daumen, 4- Nicole Capone. Coaches: John Radtke, Courtney LaFerle, Ron Hansen.
2006 Women's Roster
#- Name: 2- Emily Hajduk, 10- Jaci Corn, 11- Courtney LaFerle, 14- Kim Corcoran, 16- Aly Kelly, 19- Taryn Hagemann, 23- Lissa Fehlman, 26- Karisa Hansen, 27- Elissa Wisniewski, 32- Ashley Smith, 34- Aimee Ewert, 42- Abby Young, 44- Kelli Whipple, 88- Abbie Bates- 99, Ashley Tremaine. Part-Time: 3- Tracy Korth, 7- Sara DeLeon, 13- Chelsie Shook. Coaches: John Radtke, George Ewert, Jerry Hajduk, Ron Hansen.
2005 Women's Roster
#- Name: 1- Kristi Lotz, 2- Emily Hajduk, 3- Tracy Korth, 4- Ashley Obrest, 6- Courtney LaFerle, 7- Jess Hart, 9- Kirsten Beckford, 10- Jaci Corn, 15- Missy Folsom, 16- Aly Kelly, 17- Lindsey Hall, 19- Taryn Hagemann, 23- Kristin Kulpinski, 27- Elissa Wisniewski, 34- Aimee Ewert. Part-Time: 8- Jenny Koeser, 8- Kat Krause, 9- Dawn Bryant, 11- Colleen Cotton, 12- Missy Krueger, 22- Irene Weik, 23- Lissa Fehlman, 24- Becky Bruns, 24- Jessica Levan, 24- Kristen Noble, 33- Sara Goffinski. Coaches: John Radtke, George Ewert, Mike Hagemann, Jerry Hajduk.
2004 Women's Roster
#- Name: 2- Emily Hajduk, 5- Kim Dean, 6- Courtney LaFerle, 8- Lauren Morstad, 9- Dawn Bryant, 10- Jaci Corn, 11- Jenny Wilkins, 12- Megan Glenn, 15- Missy Folsom, 17- Lindsey Hall, 19- Taryn Hagemann, 21- Shanna Reach, 22- Irene Weik, 25- Katie Grens, 27- Elissa Wisniewski. Part-Time: 00- Colleen Bollini, 4- Ashley Obrest, 7- Tracy Korth, 7- Megan Brooks, 14- Kim Czapla, 17- Nikki Bartels. Coaches: John Radtke, Jeff Morstad, Mike Hagemann.
2003 Women's Roster
#- Name: 3- Missy Krueger, 4- Danielle Clairizo, 5- Kim Dean, 8- Lauren Morstad, 9- Dawn Bryant, 11- Jenny Wilkins, 14- Kim Czapla, 15- Missy Folsom, 17- Kaelin Jones, 21- Kristin Groth, 22- Beth Nagel, 24- Sarah Carlson, 25- Katie Grens, 26- Jessica Krueger, 35- Heather Wendt. Coaches: John Radtke, Jeff Morstad, Julie Filson.
2002 Women's Roster
#- Name: 2- Julie Filson, 3- Missy Krueger, 4- Christie McEnerney, 7- Nicole Kwasniewski, 9- Dawn Bryant, 14- Kim Czapla, 15- Missy Folsom, 17- Kaelin Jones, 19- Sabrina Drogos, 22- Beth Nagel, 23- Cara Thompson, 24- Rikki Taden, 30- Jackie Decker, 31- Amber Stevens, 35- Heather Wendt. Part-Time: Jackie Brittain. Coaches: John Radtke, Mike Wendt.
2001 Women's Roster
#- Name: 2- Julie Filson, 3- Missy Krueger, 7- Nicole Kwasniewski, 9- Jackie Brittain, 14- Kim Czapla, 17- Kaelin Jones, 19- Sabrina Drogos, 22- Beth Nagel, 24- Jessica Wojtas, 30- Jackie Decker, 31- Amber Stevens, Dawn Bryant, Kathleen Chase, Colleen McNicholas, Sara Szepjnowski, Erika Einhorn. Coach: John Radtke.
2000 Women's Roster
Played as an affiliate of the Elgin Heat
#- Name: 2- Julie Filson, 7-, Nicole Kwasniewski, 9- Jackie Brittain, 17- Kaelin Jones, 18- Tammy Gamble, 21- Kristin Groth, 24- Jessica Wojtas, Kathleen Chase, Sharon Johnson, Hannah Fitzgerald, Beth Fitchie, Rachel Clark. Coaches: John Radtke, John Filson, Trae Clark.
2011-12 18U Roster
# - Name: 4- Victoria Watt, 5- Sara Hausl, 8- Nicole LaBeck, 9- Hannah Mahoney, 10- Angela Tribuzio, 13- Kara Rodriguez, 14- Melany Love, 15- Natalie Cannizzo, 16- Marisa Voss, 21- Sarah Leudo, 23- Katie Kirker, 25- Sam Bolin, 33- Kaylan Jurczak. Coaches: Jaci Corn, Courtney LaFerle, and Sara Brandal.
2010-11 18U Roster
#- Name: 1- Alyssa Vechiola, 3- Lara Horwitz, 4- Nikki Surico, 5- Tayler Lenart, 9- Hannah Mahoney, 11- Nicole Beck, 12- Samantha Mangrum, 13- CAitlin Khoury, 14- Melany Love, 21- Sarah Leudo, 25- Marissa Lombardo, 34- Lisa Matsie, 44- Katie Nauman. Coaches: Elissa Wisniewski, Courtney LaFerle, and Deanna Warkins.
2009-10 18U Black
#-Name: 1- Tori Maule, 2- Paige Hill, 5- Vanessa Wagner, 7- Erin Sweeney, 12- Samantha Mangrum, 20- Mykenzie Buzard, 24- Shannon McGinnis, 25- Genny Duffy, 33- Rebekah Ozga, 39- Natalie Shank, 55- Jordan Willis, 77- Heather Kozlowski. Coaches: Elissa Wisniewski and Deanna Warkins.
2009-10 18U Silver
#-Name: 1- Alyssa Vechiola, 4- Nikki Surico, 7- Kristyn Ruitenberg, 8- Mary Katherine Brooks, 11- Katie Callahan, 14- Francesca Evischi, 21- Brianna Conaway, 24- Kayla Brooks, 30- Stacey Cladis, 63- Melissa Anderson, 77- Jordan Hester. Coaches: Sarah Carlson and Nick Ruitenberg.
2008-09 18U Black
#- Name: 1- Tori Maule, 2- Paige Hill, 5- Katie Schillinger, 7- Erin Sweeney, 8- Megan Roadcap, 9- Jordan Herra, 11- Kaitlin Hardie, 12- Samantha Hardie, 13- Megan Hardie, 23- Bree Roberts, 24- Amanda Jaegers, 25- Genny Duffy, 42- Emily Mahoney, 55- Jordan Willis. Coaches: John Radtke, Mark Hardie, Elissa Wisniewski.
2008-09 18U Silver
#- Name: 00- Kelly Patchett, 1- Alexis Ford, 3- Kristina Brockner, 5- Jennifer Fulsang, 7- Kaitlyn Boehne, 8- Mary Katherine Brooks, 15- Heather Zimmerman, 17- Kristyn Ruitenberg, 18- Jillian Heidelmeier, 22- Samantha Palucska, 27- Samantha Swanson, 28- Savannah Hupe, 33- Alex Robbins. Coaches: Marty Palucska, Steve Robbins, Randy Ford, Nick Ruitenberg.
2007-08 18U
#- Name: 1- Tori Maule, 2- Sarah McCleary, 5- Megan Roadcap, 7- Samantha Hardie, 8- Ellis Hatchett, 9- Erin McGraw, 10- Bizzy Levy, 11- Kaitlin Hardie, 12- Amanda Ruper, 13- Megan Hardie, 14- Erika Ernst, 15- Lauren Galassini, 18- Alexis Gordon, 22- Rachel Borgman, 33- Megan Pozezinski, 44- Sam Vojtsek, 57- Allison Devor. Coaches: Howie Bierman, Mark Hardie, Mark McCleary.
2006-07 18U
#- Name: 00- Mercedes O'Gorek, 1- Catherine Martin, 2- Sarah McCleary, 5- Brittany Priest, 6- Lani Hoey, 8- Meghan Iles, 9- Kayla Oranger, 11- Kaitlin Niggemann, 13- Victoria Perez, 16- Nicole Richter, 19- Kali Book, 22- Brooke Porto, 24- Sophie Sterricker. Coaches: Howie Bierman, Lowell Oranger, Brian Priest.
2005-06 18U
#- Name: 1- Maggie O'Brien, 2- Kristen Bauer, 3- Kaitie Fisher, 4- Tricia Mitz, 5- Kaylee Mueller, 6- Chelse Pipkin, 9- Kayla Westemeier, 15- Michelle Campolo, 16- Sarah Waylock, 18- Skylar Smith, 22- Courtni Jablenski, 23- Emily Steinway, 26- Jessica Schue. Coaches: Howie Bierman, Doug Pipkin.
2011-12 16U Roster
# - Name: 00- Olivia Schneider, 4- Katie Brown, 5- Jodie Hurd, 7- Mandy Moore, 9- Lea Barrett, 10- Lexi Yonkovic, 12- Jennifer Watson, 13- McKenna Larson, 15- Molly McGovern, 18- Jessica Riley, 19- Julie Larson, 27- Katherine Trotter, 42- Holly Hagemann. Coaches: Nikki Schlagel, Karisa Hansen, and Dawn Neville.
2010-11 16U Roster
#- Name: 2- Al Villarreal, 5- Sara Hausl, 6- Lexi Smithberg, 7- Kaitlynn Woloszyk, 8-Nicole LaBeck, 9- Randi Peterson, 11- Morgan Olszewski, 13- Kara Rodriguez, 14- Victoria Watt, 15- Stephanie Wonders, 22- Clare Stribling, 25- Sam Bolin, 37- Becky Karlinski, 53- Melanie Gajewski. Coaches: Jaci Corn, Noel Aquino, and Sara Brandal.
2009-10 16U Roster
#- Name: 3- Lara Horwitz, 4- Ashley Morales, 5- Taylor Lenart, 7- Kaitlynn Woloszyk, 8- Nicole LaBeck, 9- Randi Peterson, 11- Morgan Olszewski, 12- Jenna Teson, 14- Melany Love, 15- Stephanie Wonders, 22- Clare Stribling, 23- Katie Kirker, 25- Samantha Bolin, 53- Melanie Gajewski. Manager: Steve Kirker Coaches: Jaci Corn, Noel Aquino, Rick Love.
2008-09 16U Roster
#- Name: 00- Ashley Frey, 1- Kiersa Parillo, 2- Cassie Rogala, 4- Ashley Morales, 9- Katelyn Bruscato, 10- Lara Horwitz, 11- Marissa Schwartz, 12- Brook Frederiksen, 19- Erin Clausen, 22- Sara Isaacs, 23- Katie Kirker, 27- Jenna Dedio, 30- Stacey Cladis, 55- Jessica Barth. Coaches: Steve Kirker, Scott Rogala, Steve Frederiksen, Pete Cladis.
2007-08 16U Roster
#- Name: 00- Kelly Patchett, 1- Alexis Ford, 3- Kristina Brockner, 7- Kaitlyn Boehne, 12- Brook Frederiksen, 13- Jordan Herra, 14- Kristi Knott, 15- Heather Zimmerman, 22- Samantha Palucska, 24- Erin Hipple, 28- Savannah Hupe, 30- Stacey Cladis, 32- Elizabeth Jilek, 33- Alex Robbins. Coaches: Colleen Cotton, Pat Knott, Elissa Wisniewski.
2006-07 16U Roster
#- Name: 00- Kelly Patchett, 3- Kristina Brockner, 4- Whitney Baldyga, 7- Kaitlyn Boehne, 10- Meghan Gargantiel, 14- Kristi Knott, 16- Ashley Scheffler, 18- Michelle Yucuis, 20- Kelsey Maleski, 22- Allison Devor, 25- Jenny Blasius, 56- Kristin Lawler. Coaches: Mike Marro, Pat Knott, Ted Gargantiel.
2011-12 14U Roster
# - Name: 1- Jennifer Kuta, 3- Jessica Rago, 4- Hannah Corn, 5- Alissa Hargett, 8- Alex Jerzyk, 18- Katie Borchert, 20- Daniela Gicla, 25- Mary Signorella, 27- Brookelyn Maddox, 32- Rachel Keller, 81- Elayne Young, 88- Grace Anne Aldred. Coaches: Merecedes Ogorek, Maggie O' Brien and Sarah Carlson.
2010-11 14U Roster
#- Name: 1- Jennifer Kuta, 8- Sam Helton, 11- Riley Bernardi, 14- Tori Harvey, 18- Emily Borg, 21- Angela Tribuzio, 22- Shannon Healy, 27- Marissa Smith, 36- Haley Spannraft, 42- Holly Hagemann, 88- Shannon Murphy. Coaches: Nikki Schlagel, Dawn Neville.