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The KC Pepper Tradition & History The Peppers were started in 1986, when Dan Eakin had his 4th daughter, Kelly, as the main pitcher. The Peppers were a young 11 R old team and completed the season @ 35&18. At the same time Dan was also coaching (2) more of his daughters Kristin & Lynne on the Olathe Express 18U team.(That team finished the season @ 55-16 and played in the Nationals in San Antonio,TX) Dan continued to coach the Express & Peppers together, thru 1990.(Ed Lanning & Mark Voigt were coaches with their daughters Kortnee and Allison). The Peppers won the Metro in 1987 & went to their first of (11) Nationals in Kansas City,KS. Not a long trip but very memorable as they were 3-2 and finished 11th.(They were 57-13 that year). In 1988 the Peppers moved to the then (13-15 yr old bracket) Here they did very good except vs the 15yr old teams and lost out in the Metros(5th). In 1989 when ASA went to the current format of TWO year age brackets ie: 11-12,13-14 etc. The Peppers won the Metros & went to the Nationals in Chattanooga,TN. They were 56-9 and Ed Lanning took the team to Chattanooga while Dan took the Olathe Express to it's (4th) National in Sioux Falls,S.D. The Peppers lost all three games in TN, that yr. In 1990, the last year Dan coached TWO teams, neither team advanced to the Nationals, but the Express did finish 6th in the Regionals. In 1991 with Kelly Eakin, Carrie Wahaus, and newcomer Carrie Owens pitching, the Peppers returned to Chattanooga as Metro & Regional Champions and finished 9th as a 16U team with a 56-14 record. In 1992 we played well but couldn't win the "big" one and the same thing in 1993. 1993, the last year for SIX of the "original" Peppers, Kelly Eakin,Kortnee Lanning,Allison Voigt,Monessa Coleman,Carrie Wahaus and Trisha Mitchener(Miller). These (6) girls played EIGHT years, and were a big part of winning 433 games while losing only 118 (73%). Another note about this group was in 1993 Olympian Christie Ambrossi played with us, as a 16U player. 1993 was also the start of a great run in Kansas City 18U softball, as the Peppers won the Kansas City Metro EIGHT STRAIGHT YEARS. A great run that ended with the 2001 team winning a National Qualifier & bypassing theMetros. It was the same for the 2002 team. From 1994, where we were one out away from going to the Nationals, to 2002 there were many thrills and great times and teams. Those teams, like many good teams, are carried by their pitching. From Christy Caccavo,Mila Nelson,Jamie Steeve,Shelly Mellegard,Brandi Kessler,Ashley Perkins,Emily Adkins and others, are the reason the Peppers have won a total of 975 games and lost only 266=78.5%. The Peppers have sent 79 players to play college softball @ all levels. Besides the Pitchers,Shandra Kelly,Jessica Acton,Shannon Stanwyx,Erin Garvey,Kierstin Arnsten,Carol Kremer,Leah Hansen,Amy Dalsing,Rachael McGinnis,Morgan LeClysue,Casey Rieff,Heather Chambers, Step Penrose,Amy Hieman,Courtney Walter,Tracie & Kelly Cox, Suzie gates,Lindsey Parker,DeAnn Kaster,Valerie Gugert,Trisha Tannahill,Jessica Moppin,Ashley Maybee,Brooke Woolery,Whitney Trigg,Mandy White,Regina LeGero,Julie Young,.And many many more.Amy Hulse,Rebbecca Fitzmorris,Michele Lyman. Of course along the way Dan has been assisted by Paul Caccavo,Mike Perkins,Jeff Hulse,Jill Bailey,Al Fitzmorris,DeAnn Kaster. These people have been great and were a great help to the program. The Peppers have always played an aggressive schedule. Going to Boulder & Aurora,Colorado each July 4th since 1986 has really helped.The team traveled to Houston FOUR years in a row during the Fall and to California the past Five springs to sharpen their skills.Traveling to play the best we can play. Playing qualifiers in New York City, Florida, Minnesota,Texas,Ohio and the surrounding states the Peppers have been very competitive and held their own. Highlights over the 18 Pepper years are many. Our first National in 1987, winning (8) straight 18U Metros,Finishing (3rd) in the ASA A Nationals in 2001 was terrific. Seeing many of the players go to college to play softball and have the college coach compliment the Peppers for that players competitiveness, skills,experience etc is very rewarding. Having FOUR daughters playing ball, coaching FOUR different teams over the 24 years (coaching TWO teams at the same time for (7) of those years,being involved with all the different players who have wore the Peppers,Olathe Express,Duguid Haynes & C& E Sports have helped Dan Eakin become one of the most successful coaches in the Kansas City area.Coaching in 2019 games and winning 1584 while losing just 435 =78% win ave. There hasn't been much that Dan hasn't seen on a softball field. Winning 15 Metros, 7 Regionals and playing in 15 Nationals, seeing 98 players get college schloarships for softball makes it all that more rewarding. The 2003 team should be more of the same. With FOUR college players(Samantha Fleeman@ MU,Sara Cole @ SMSU ,Ashley Maybee @ Queens University,Devon Francy @ MU and Nicole Washburn @ KU,Sarah Stringer @ MU, Kelsey Warning @ UNO and an outstanding Junior class with Elle Pottorf (committed to KU) Tonya Callahan, Cynthia Verhulst who will recieve many college looks, and sophmores Val Chapple and Stephanie Chomicki who will both go high on college future lists. The 2003 Peppers will be ready to keep the tradition going strong as they play @ the highest level of softball. A final note on the teams coached by Dan Eakin is the start in 1979 with his two daughters,Kristin & Lynne playing 12U (Gail was playing 13-15U) and the team played NINE games, no windmill pitchers in the league, and no one traveled to tournaments.The team stayed together for several yrs then in 1981 C&E Sports was founded w/Dan & Ed Cline combining and putting the best Olathe players on a team and traveled the KC Metro,Topeka, and Memphis,TN(July 4th) and won all their games!! Losing for the first time to an Iowa team in the Regional(there were NO 12U Nationals then) and finishig the season 31-2. This team was led by Lynne Eakin,Sandra Baslock, Maggie Clark,Pitcher Kelly Litzen ,Lisa Herbert,Carrie McNeff & Jennifer Cline. This team basically stayed together, and with the addition of a terrific player, Karesa Watson, the team went to its first nationals,in Salt Lake City (15U).They also swept the Metros in KC.(1984)The team disbanded after six yrs with a 168-51 record. The next yr most of the team joined the Olathe Express, an 18U team(still playing 16-18U)With the nucleus in place and adding a great pitcher, Becky Sims,out of Lexington,MO, and Kelly Herald to play SS, the Express went to their 1st Nationals in Boulder,CO. The Express existed for (8) years till 1990.During that time they won FOUR metros, 1 regional and played in Four Nationals, finishing 9th in 1989. Loaded with very good players like Karesa,Tammy Cook, Wendy Brown,Debbie Corole, Carrie Kearns,Deana Thompson,Beth Ray, Erin Wahaus,Beca Clark,Angela Cox,Cheryl Dawson, Jessica Hennig,Sandra Baslock,Cheryl Phillips and great pitchers Jill Bailey,Missy Skow,Lisa Litzen,Carrie Newell,Kelly Litzen, and Angela Pettit. The Express was 411-116=78% and some great memories. Fast forwarding to the 2003 season, which turned out to be one of the best ever for the Peppers as the team finished 65-10. Winning FIVE tourneys, SECOND in (2) incld. the Gold qualifier in Atlanta,GA. finished 5th in the ever tough Boulder,CO tourney wherte we lost our first game on Sunday morn. to TX Magic 4-1 (we were 9-0 prior to that). The Peppers won the USSSA Nationals for the second straight yr and went on to Salem,OR & finished a dissapointing 22nd with an overall record of 4-2. The 2003 team was packed with "special" players.Infielders Tonya Callahan, Sarah Stinger, Steph. Chomicki, Nicole Washburn and outstanding catchers Elle Pottorf & Devon Francy. Our outfield was Val Chapple,Kelsey Warning, Sara Cole & Pitchers Cynthia Verhulst & Samantha Fleeman. Our hitters were led by Sarah Stinger @ 417,Tonya @ 386,Washburn @356, Fleeman @354 and Elle @ 374 and Kelsey Warning hit an amazing 494 for 2/3 of our season. Val and Devon also hit over 300%. This team hit 38 Home runs led by Kelsey, Tonya (both 9), Sam, Cynthia and Elle hit 3-5 each. Tonya hit FOUR homers in the Gold National, which prompted her to get a great offer from U of Tennesse, where she will go next yr. Defensively we were led by Stephanie ("Biggie") who played marvelous @ 2nd, Tonya, Sam,Val, Sarah & Elle were all great in the field. Pitching led by Samantha, who had 350 K's and an era of .299% in 240 innings. Cynthia did well too w/140 K's in 134 innings & .946 ERA Leadership and dedication were the trademarks of this team. Samantha, Cole,Elle,Stringer were the force of this team. Everyone got along, they "pulled" for each other and it paid off. Clutch hits, great throws, great bunts, many homeruns, our pitchers threw 37 shutouts and only TWO teams scored more than FOUR runs against us. A very special year with a very special team. 2004 PEPPERS: With SIX returning players from 2003 and Seven "new" players we are excited about 2004. Tonya Callahan(signed @ Tennesse)Sarah Stinger(playing @ Missouri)Elle Pottorf(signed with Kansas) and Cynthia Verhulst(signed @ Wichita State) and Juniors Val Chapple and Stephanie Chomicki, the Peppers return a solid nucleus.Tonya and Sarah return to 3rd & SS, Steph. to 2B, Cynthia to pitch and first and our most versatile player Val Chapple, who can play 3rd,SS.Catch, Outfield. New players on the team are seniors: Katelyn Cummings/outfield, Lindsey Thorpe OF and 2B, and Lauren Lakebrink/Pitcher outfielder who went to the 2003 Gold Nationals with us, as a pitcher,(and did great!!)(she has signed w/Northwest Missoui State. Juniors are: Cali Stratton/outfielder,Jennifer Dace 1B & OF,Shelbe Hughes IF-OF-P-C. This "new" group are dedicated and hard working and can play softball. As the schedules come out in 2004 we will be traveling to qualify for the Gold Nationals in Atlanta,GA. The ingredients are here. Staying focused and coming together lies ahead for the 2004 Peppers. The 2004 team did another great job of competing with the best teams in the country.After a slow start, finishing 4th in the Olathe memorial day tourney and going 2-2 in Los Angeles the Peppers went to Killeen Texas to play in it's first Gold Qualifier of the year.(before we get too far ahead, the season took an unusual turn PRIOR to the season starting when our 3rd yr CATCHER Elle Pottorf dislocated her shoulder in High School. This was a terrible hit for the Peppers as Elle was a real solid performer and an outstanding catcher.Thru a stroke of great luck we were contacted by Ashley Killeen, the starting catcher for Iowa State who lived in Omaha,NE and Ashley wanted to play. What a break for the Peppers. Ashley did a great job and stepped in and played very well. I can't believe we were that lucky to find such a solid performer to play). Anyway we played very well in Killeen,TX and finished 4th and qualified for Atlanta GOLD NATIONALS. We won several other tourneys, finished 9th in BOULDER and won the USSSA World Series (for the THIRD STRAIGHT YR) The team was led, in 10 offensive categories by Tonya Callahan, who is playing @ U Tennesse now.Tonya, Val Chapple, Teddi Ewing,and Nicole Washburn were the offensive leaders while Stephanie Chomicki,Teddi,Tonya, Katelyn Cummings, Ashley Killeen and Lindsey Thorpe were all great defensively. Our pitchers Lauren Lakebrink and Cynthia Verhulst were among the best. The 2004 Gold Nationals were tough. We were 3-3 losing in extra innings to the Gordon Panthers 3-1 (a beatuiful pitched game by Lauren Lakebrink and the Cal. Force 2-1 in 8 innings. This came after the Peppers rallied for TWO in the bottom of the 7th when losing 1-0 to the Omaha Finesse (pitched by current pitcher Lauren Delaney a two hitter). We were dissappointed by our Gold finish but knew we had played well. With Tonya to U Tenn.,Kate to UMKC,Elle to U of Kansas & Lindsey to Wm Jewell and Cynthia to Wichita State the Peppers tradition of having players go to Div I or II schools to play softball continue. Already from the 2005 team Valerie to U of Kansas, Teddi to U of Michigan, Stephanie to U of Tulsa and Jennifer and Shelbe to Emporia State. With Lauren Lakebrink and Lauren Delaney and Alex Hupp the Peppers pitching should be ready for the challenge. Our infield will be strong our hitters will keep the pressure on. Lastly,the 2004 group and the signings for 2005 have brought the total Division I players to 51 and Division II to 24. In 2005 the Peppers started the season playing in the Olathe Memorial Day tournament, finishing third. On the third week of June the Peppers finished 2nd in the Gold Sectional in Wichita, KS. Lauren Lakebrink and Lauren Delaney pitched well, losing to the Indiana Magic twice. The team flew to New Jersey, saw the sights of NYC, the ocean, etc. Delaney beat the Gordon Panthers and held the OC Batbusters scoreless. We then went to Boulder,CO and did well there. We returned to KC to win the USSSA World Series (three in a row). We finished the season in Salinas, CA going 1-2, beating the California Athletics behind Delaney and timely hitting of Val Chapple, Alex Hupp, and Lindsey Thorpe. The team was 53-12. Stephanie Chomicki tore her ACL in basketball and was lost for the season. That hurt us! Alex Hupp signed @ Nebraska, Emily Haug and Lauren Delaney signed @ Northwestern. We started the 2006 season without coach Eakin because he had heart surgery in May 2006. Stephanie Chomicki returned for her 4th season, Jenn Dace for her 3rd and we added speedsters Molly Garst and Carleigh Berry. Lauren Delaney and Alex Hupp pitched while our infield was Emily Haug, Megan Ussary, Marla Schweisberger, Molly Garst, Abby Hughes and Alex Hupp. We were missing the big hit and finished 3rd in 3 qualifiers and failed to go to ASA Nationals for the first time in 9 years. We also finished 3rd @ USSSA World Series. We finished @ 50-18 overall. Marla Schweisberger signed @ Missouri, Abby Hughes @ Nebraska, Megan Ussary @ UMKC, and Carleigh Berry @ Iowa State. In 2007 the Peppers added Michaela Hupp, Jaydee Young, Sarah Espy, Abby Dickson, Marissa Ingle, Jamin Landreth and Laura Vickers; at 14 years old, the youngest Pepper to date. In April Haley Brown who had signed with University of Chicago,IL and Eranne Daugharthy who signed with Colorado State University came on board to complete the 2007 roster. The team had 15 players and 5 of them were pitchers. After a slow start, finishing 3rd in the Memorial Day tournament, going 3-2 in Los Angeles, and 1-2 in the Gold Sectional in Blue Springs we moved on to Indianapolis, IN for our next Gold Sectional. We played well beating the Louisiana Deja Vu, which took two days. We used 5 pitchers in the Deja Vu game and Jamin Landreth won it! We beat the Omaha Quakes 1-0 to win the sectional. Alex Hupp pitched a no hitter and Marla Schweisberger doubled in the winning run. Then, we were off to Boulder, as we started 1-5 and then won 2 straight before losing to the California Cruisers 5-4. Molly, Carleigh, and Abby Hughes all hit over .500 that week. We won the USSSA World Series again (4th time) as Molly, Marla, Abby Hughes, Eranne, Carleigh, Haley and Marissa made the all tournament team. Eranne won the most valuable player of the tournament and Haley earned the honor of most outstanding defensive player. In August we went to Oklahoma City to play in Hall of Fame stadium for the Gold Nationals. We went 2-2 despite losing 4 of our pitchers. Michaela, Alex, and Sarah all had mono and Jamin had to leave early due to the death of her grandfather. All in all, a pretty good year, ending 55-22. Molly Garst signed @ Purdue, Jaydee Young signed @ Missouri, Marissa Ingle signed @ KU, Abby Dickson @ UCM. The 2008 Peppers had a terrific season, despite losing 3 key players during part of the season. There were 14 players on the roster, but we played most of the season with 12 players. The Peppers won 3 tournaments in 2008. The biggest accomplishment was traveling to Auburn, Alabama, where 83 teams were vying for 6 spots enabling them to move on to the Gold Nationals in Oklahoma City. In Auburn Molly Garst, Brooke Thomason, Marissa Ingle, Jady Young, and Rachel Milnark all hit very well. The team came from behind twice off of key hits from Ingle, Milnark, Garst, Berry, Young and Michaela Hupp. Eranne Daugharthy and Sarah Espy pitched very well as did Mariah Glasscock in the clinching game on Sunday to open the door to OK City. The team played locally in June and went to the Indy tournament in Boulder, Colorado the first week of July (every year since 1986) where they finished 2nd in their pool @4-2. Carleigh, Molly, Brooke, Marissa, and Eranne all hit well. Jady Young hit 3 homeruns in the first 2 games before coming down with food poisoning. The team traveled to Oklahoma City on August 3rd for the prestigious Gold Nationals. Sixty-four of the country’s top teams were there and the Peppers had a good showing, winning their first 5 games against the Oregon Silver Bullets (5-0), Texas Glory (1-0), Georgia Blitz (5-2), Lady Sharks (1-0) and the So Cal Diamonds (6-5) before falling to the So Cal Explosion (1-6) and the California Cruisers (0-2). Eranne Daugharthy and Sarah Espy pitched great as Carleigh hit .391, Jady .300, and Molly .261 to lead the team. Special kudos to Sarah Espy, who pitched 28 innings and gave up 3 earned runs. Sarah started 3 games and relieved in 4 others. The Peppers walked away with a 9th place finish, something to be proud of! The Peppers hit .334 as a team during the regular season, led by Carleigh Berry @ .420, Molly Garst @.413, Brooke Thomason @ .407, Eranne Daugharthy @ .372 and Marissa Ingle @ .310. This was a great team effort and all of our players played well. We could have been stronger if Haley Brown (ACL), Laura Vickers (broken fibula), and Marissa Ingle (fractured wrist) had been with us the entire year. The Peppers will return 8 players from the 2008 roster and have added 6 new players for 2009. The Peppers tradition lives on – thanks to all who participated and played. “Let’s Go Peppers!” Sarah Espy verbally committed to UCM and Michaela Hupp signed @ UMKC. |
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