By: Madison Feldhahn
The Top Gun Discovery Showcase kicked off today at Mid-America West Sports Complex in Shawnee, KS. The three-day event features fifty-four teams from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. This event will have 14u, 16u, and 18u teams.
Gate Fees:
Children (1-12): $5.00
Teens & Adults (13-64): $10.00
Senior (65+): $5.00
Military: $5.00
Check out some of the teams joining us below!
14u
KC Rebels Lickel
Vision Fastpitch Merryman
Coaching Staff: Head coach Anthony Merryman and assistant coaches Bryan Wyman, Niles Thomas & Addy Ward
Team Social Media: @visiongold09 (X), Vision Gold 09 (Facebook)
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Overall record 104-22-6, Back-to-back 2022 & 2023 14O Space Coast World Series National Champions. 2023 USSSA SEC Future Stars 14A National Champions, 2023 PG Fall Elite Showcase 14A Tournament Champions, Woo Pig Series I 14O Tournament Champions 2023 HFL Woo Pig Series III 14O Tournament Champions, 2023 SA Six in Spring 14A Tournament Champions, 2023 USSSA Road to the Show 14A Tournament Finalist, 2023 Club Fall Invite 14A Tournament Finalist, 2023 USSSA CBC Fall Bash 16A Tournament Finalist 2023, Fall Championships 14A 3rd place finish, 2023 TFL Spring Slam 14A 3rd place finish, 2023 Top 10 Finish (41 teams total) of Top Club Super 32 14A Cash Tournament
Key Players: Alexis Lorennij (C), Daylyn Osborne (P), Kylee Wyman (SS)
Expectations for Spring 2024: Compete with the best-of-the-best competition, continue to grow and develop as softball players, athletes, and good human beings, and showcase our passion for the game to college coaches, fans, and peers.
16u
KC Phoenix Bock
Coaching Staff: Jen Bock, Russ Endsor, Mike Koontz
Team Social Media: @KCPhoenix_JB (X)
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: UTrip Memorial Day 18a Champions (as a 14u team). A couple of 2nd place HS divisions. We started competing in bigger events and were able to compete. We were 4-1-1 in the big Team 1 event and rolling in bracket play but the event was rained out. Top 12 of the WFC in KC.
Key Players: Enslie Dreyer (RHP) – throws up 58 to low 60s in games with LONG stride, Shelby Callahan (SS) – switch hitter, Mandia Bock (RHP) – throws 68-62, Gracie Cox (C) – cannon behind the dish
Expectations for Spring 2024: We have turned up the intensity and are focused primarily on TG, Gold, and Invitational tourneys, plus the Sparkler. Still very much in a growth mindset for the year. None of these kids have hit their ceiling and will continue to grow. They’re great teammates and LOVE to play softball. Every single one of these girls plays multiple sports successfully.
Millard Fury Gold Westley
Coaching Staff: Head coach Brad Westley and assistant coaches April Epley, Chad Mattox & Katie Wageman
Team Social Media: @2007FuryGold (X)
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: ’23 was a challenge with injuries, but the core finished second in a showcase in Beatrice, NE to end the season. After only one practice in the fall, the team played well losing our first bracket game to the eventual tournament winner in a 1-0 contest.
Key Players: Pitching staff: Lauryn Mattox, Ava Fessler, Karli Farritor. Catchers: Alexa Epley, Kaycie Dai, Mady Wall. Corners: Emma Renner, Karleigh Rowley, Kaycie Dai, Lauryn Mattox, Alexa Epley. Middle Infield: Brooke Westley, Madi Eich, Mady Wall. Outfield: Hannah Wageman, Kameryn Lawson, Karlie Farritor, Brooke Westley, Emma Renner, Mady Wall, Madi Eich
Expectations for Spring 2024: Our expectations are for the girls to continue to not only grow their softball skills but mentally be able to handle the grind and challenges we know they will face this summer. We want to compete in every game and challenge teams we face.
Missouri Chiefs Turner
Coaching Staff: Chelsea Turner, Shane Pierce & Darrin Henderson
Team Social Media: @GoMoChiefs (IG & Facebook)
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 29-19 last summer. Runner up at the STL USA Showcase. FASA Nationals Runner Up.
Key Players: Raelyn Henderson (OF), Ellie Shevey (C/UT), Allison Scott (P), Piper Dishman (P) Katie Vaughan (SS/UT)
Expectations for Spring 2024: Competitive tournament schedule for 2024 and intend to finish top 5 in most.
Nebraska Gold Gillis
Coaching Staff: Ryan Gillis, Lorelle Mueting, Kevin Pokorny, and Kailey Wilson
Team Social Media: X: @NEGold09_Gillis; Instagram: negold09_gillis
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 2nd Place – Top Gun Memorial Day Tournament, Top 4 Finish NE State 14U 2024
Key Players: Jadyn Pokorny, Cameron Debuse, Ollie Lynch, Dilynn Meade, Callen Ahrens, Taylor Brumbaugh, Regan Gillis
Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Our expectations are to continue to grow as a team and compete at the highest level. We will challenge ourselves and battle to the end of every game, but after all is said and done we will enjoy our teammates and the sport we love.
Nebraska Quakes Gilpin
Coaching Staff: Don Gilpin (Head Coach), Steve Asher (Assistant Coach) & Rob Novak (Assistant Coach)
Team Social Media: @NEQuakesGilpin (X) & NE Quakes Gold 15U Gilpin (SportsRecruits)
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 51-23-5 record in 2023, in 14A/HS class. 1st place USSSA Battle for the Bling 14A NIT, 2nd place Bennington Spring Bash HS, 2nd place Quakes Classic, 1st place KS/MO 14A State Tournament, 3rd place Ringneck 14A
Key Players: A strong core group of players that has grown together for several years. Each player on this roster has a high set of expectations and will contribute greatly to our successes in 2024.
Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: As a young 15U team returning our entire roster from 2023, we will be looking to continue challenging our players and building upon previous successes, as we prepare them to compete at the next level. A serious pitching staff, backed up by solid defense, and a dangerous batting lineup sets the bar high for this young group of outstanding athletes.
Team Kansas Denning
Coaching Staff: Nick Denning & Patti Hays
Team Social Media: @TeamKansas16A (X)
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Qualified for PG nationals with a third place finish at the PG KC Fall Showcase
Key Players: Ava Yokley (P, 2026), Abby O’Connor (IF, 2026), Lindsay Ruder (UTL/2026)
Expectations for Spring 2024: Have fun!!
Top Gun Hooper
Coaching Staff: Head coach Dave Hooper and assistant coaches Dwight Mayhugh & Chad Cushing
Team Social Media: @TopGun0809KS (X) & Top Gun 16u KS (Facebook)
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Chosen for the supplemental Power Pool in summer 2023 for the CO Sparkler. Played up in 16u as a 14u in the Heartland WS and were a final 4 team when the tournament was cancelled for weather. Turned over a number of roster spots in the fall of 2023 to form a much more softball centric team.
Key Players: Reagan Ball, Emily Stipsits, McKenna Cushing
Expectations for Spring 2024: We have a very competitive schedule for 2024 and are looking to improve over the 2023 season extending into more late runs on bracket day. We are playing in a number of tournament and college showcases and are looking to demonstrate the talent of our team in front of colleges over the summer season. As our girls start to enter the recruiting phase, many of our players are participating in a number of different camps. Although the wins are great, we will continue to develop our players so that they possess the skills needed to take the next step into the college game.
18u
Kansas Fusion Sweat
Coaching Staff: Head coach Mikey Rusk, manager Ryan Sweat & assistant coach Jeff Ellis
Team Social Media: @FusionKansas (X)
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: We won some smaller tournaments and finished 2nd in USSSA National Championship
Key Players: All players are key!
Expectations for Spring 2024: Have fun and be seen by college coaches
KC Bombers 18u Gold Fansher
Coaching Staff: Megan Fansher and Makena Adams
Team Social Media Handles: Twitter-@BombersKC18 and Instagram-@KCBombers18
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: This is a practically a brand new team! We look forward to seeing this team grow this summer!
Key Players: Reghan Loges, Hannah Sheer, Reese Evenson, Anna Fairchild
Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: My athletes are looking to play at the next level. With our Bombers organization, our job is to prepare them for this next journey! We currently have 5 signed players and looking to add more this season!
KC Rebels Soldner
Coaching Staff: Brian Soldner, Kurt Dearing & Craig Minton
Team Social Media: @KCRebelsSoldner (X)
Key Players: Adelyn Thom (C/3B, 2025), Akyra Traver (OF, 2026), Ava Minton (OF, 2025), Cadence Dearing (OF/C, 2026), Danica Salisbury (P/1B, 2026), Tyjha Henderson (MIF/OF, 2025)
Expectations for Spring 2024: To play in top tournaments and get my girls some offers
Nebraska Gold Jarzobski
Coaching Staff: Edward Jarzobski (9th year coaching competitive softball), Maurice Anderson (10th year coaching competitive softball, NE Gold coach Team Anderson and Softball President MUS) & Dave Hobza (7th year coaching competitive softball)
Team Social Media: @negold18u (Twitter)
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 6 seniors went on to play in college (1 D1, 1 D2, 1 D3, 3 NAIA), All 12 of our current seniors are committed to play in college (2 D1, 4 D2, 6 NAIA)
Key Players: Mackenzie Groniga, Emi Waldow, Katelyn Jarzobski, Addy Hobza, Kriestyn Linn
Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Goal is to finish top 4 Top Gun Viper and top 10 in Top Gun Championship
Nebraska WAVE Shepherd
Coaching Staff: Head Coach Luke Shepherd & Assistant Coaches Cory Claussen & Peyton Glatter
Team Social Media: @NEWaveFastpitch (X) & thewaveathletics.com
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: USSSA State Runner Up Class A 18u, Went 3-0-1 in KCKCC Tournament
Key Players: Hannah Allen (Midland University commit), Alexis Shepherd (Midland University commit), Alexis Adams (Doane College commit), Kloey Johnson (Southeast CC commit), Jill Johnson (1B/OF, Uncommitted), Brooklyn Stutzman (P/1B, Uncommitted), Jerzey Wiechman (P, Uncommitted)
Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Will be traveling throughout the Mid-West playing in several Top Gun Showcases/Invites
