Nebraska Crowns Softball State Champions at Connie Claussen Field

Nebraska Crowns Softball State Champions at Connie Claussen Field

By: Rob Else

The Nebraska State Softball tournament started last Wednesday at Smith Softball Complex in Hastings and wrapped up with the championship games on Monday at Connie Claussen Field on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Omaha.  It was the first year for the new format in which the championship games were moved to Omaha to the beautiful new Classen Field.  Championship games for each class were also televised for the first time.

The change was huge success.

Over 4400 tickets were sold for Monday night’s championship games.   Last year, 6800 tickets were sold for the entire tournament in Hastings.  You could feel the electricity in the air and the atmosphere was amazing.  It was standing room only to watch six teams play at the highest level in the state.

Class C – Ashland-Greenwood Wins First Ever State Championship

In the first game of the night, No 1. Ashland-Greenwood beat No 2. Bishop Neumann 2-0. It was the first state softball title in school history for the Bluejays.  Both pitchers were tough in the circle, combining for 19 strikeouts.  Sophia Dill got the win for Ashland-Greenwood pitch a complete game with eight strikeouts and four walks.  Dill pitched around bases loaded situations in the second and third inning.  The Cavaliers stranded 14 base runners and couldn’t come up with the timely hit they need.  The Bluejays scored on an RBI single by Reese Fisher in the sixth and a solo home run by Ellie Stein in the seventh.

Class B – Northwest goes back-to-back

No. 2 Northwest knocked off No. 1 Blair, 9-8,  to claim their second straight state title.  The Vikings got a two-out single by Kyra Ray in the bottom of the seventh to walk of the Bears. The lead changed five times throughout the game.  Blair would get ahead, but the Vikings always had an answer.  At the plate, Northwest was led by Reyse Zobel (2025).  The junior was 4-4 with a home run, a double, and two RBI.   

Class A – Papillion Takes Home 17th State Title

Papillion-Lavista used a 5-run 5th inning to take the lead and beat No. 2 Millard North 10-3.  The Monarchs trailed 2-1 going into the top of the 5th but scored five runs to lead 6-2.  They would add on another run in the 6th and 3 more runs in the 7th.  Monarch pitcher Amanda Gibilisco (2025) kept the Mustang hitters off balance all night with a good mix of change ups.  At the plate, Presley Ivener (2024) and Avery Wolfe (2025) each had three hits.  The win capped off the 17th Class A state softball championship for the Monarchs. 

 

Missouri High School State Championship Final Four Preview – Class 4 & 5

Missouri High School State Championship Final Four Preview – Class 4

By Jeff Strange

The stage is set for this upcoming weekend’s Missouri High School Softball State Championship. Today, we are breaking down the final four teams in Class 4 that will be facing off at Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, MO.

  • 10/26 at 1:00pm – Washington (35-1-1) vs. Parkway West (22-9)
    • Washington is coming off a 13-0 win over Notre Dame of Cape Girardeau last Saturday. Senior RHP Taylor Brown is having a season for the books, boasting an ERA of close to 0.50 while racking up close to 250 strikeouts for the season. Senior Lauren Opfer and Senior Lacy Monzyk have provided exceptional depth in the circle for the Blue Jays. Washington’s offensive attack is stacked, with a team batting average of over .450 for the season. Brown has exhibited huge power and run production all season, along with Junior Grace Molitor who has been a dual threat showing power and speed. Seniors Christine Gerling (hitting over .500), Maddie Guevara and Lacy Monzyk have also been key contributors on offense for the Blue Jays.
    • Parkway West defeated North Point 11-1 in the state quarterfinals on 10/21/23, setting up their semifinal matchup against Washington. The Longhorns feature two dynamic juniors with IF Siena Snyder and OF Alexa Riddel leading the offensive attack. Fellow Junior Lily Bell has put up strong numbers as well with a batting average over .400 and speed to aid in Parkway West’s attack. Senior Mackenzie Brown has been the ace for the Longhorns this season, with an ERA hovering around 1.50. Sophomore hurler Juliet Relihan has provided solid depth in the circle as well.

 

  • 10/26 at 1:00pm – Helias Catholic (21-9) vs. Kearney (26-5)
    • In a rematch of last year’s class 4 state championship, the Helias Crusaders are looking to avenge that loss and bring home a title to the state capitol. Led in the circle by Cambri VanLoo and Karoline Klebba, the Crusaders are coming off a win over Camdenton 4-3 on 10/21/23. Key offensive contributors for Helias this season have been Kendyll Rackers, Alex Wilde and Klebba with all three hitting over .400 for the season and providing speed and run production for the Crusaders.
    • Looking to defend their crown as state champions, the Kearney Bulldogs roll into the class 4 state tournament with a 14-game winning streak. The Bulldogs boast a strong group of arms in the circle, with Alyssa Quick, Kate Landewee and Sela Lowrance all contributing strong seasons. At the plate, Kearney has received strong offensive seasons from Quick, Brooke Paalhar, Macy Morrow and Morgan Pennington.

Missouri High School State Championship Final Four Preview – Class 5

The stage is set for this upcoming weekend’s Missouri High School Softball State Championship. Today, we are breaking down the final four teams in Class 5 that will be facing off at Killian Softball Complex in Springfield, MO.

  • 10/26 at 12:00pm – Francis Howell (25-6) vs. Troy Buchanan (27-6-1)
    • Francis Howell comes in fresh off a 3-1 victory over a strong Jackson, MO squad. Led by Senior RHP Lorin Boutte, the Vikings are a well-balanced team with two strong arms in the circle with Junior RHP Elle Glass combining with Boutte to provide a strong 1-2 punch. Offensively, Boutte provides a strong bat along with Freshman Catcher Adelle Metz. Seniors Macey Nix and Natalie Vines have also contributed run production and speed to aid in Howell’s attack.
    • Troy Buchanan defeated Francis Howell North 8-0 in the state quarterfinals on 10/21/23, setting up a state semifinal game against Howell. Senior LHP Macie Hunolt has been a staple in the rotation for Troy since her freshman season, breaking the school’s career strikeout record earlier this fall and maintaining an ERA under 1.00 to this point of the season. Hunolt also offers a strong bat in the lineup along with fellow Seniors Gracie Johns, Teryn Brown and Mackenzie Williams. Hunolt, Johns and Williams have provided power and run production, while Brown, senior Autumn Trower and junior Ellee Graff have been key contributors on the basepaths.
    • Both teams have met twice this season, with Troy winning 2-0 over Howell on 9/12/23 and Francis Howell defeating Troy 2-0 on 9/28.

 

  • 10/26 at 12:00pm – Blue Springs South (26-2) vs. Raymore-Peculiar (30-2)
    • Blue Springs South has only been dealt defeat by one school – Nebraska powerhouse Gretna handed the Jaguars their only two losses of the season, back in late August and then again in early September. Blue Springs South are riding are 20-game winning streak, most recently eliminating Willard 16-2 on 10/21/23. The Jaguars feature a high-powered offense, led by Senior Madison Hoffman, who is hitting well over .400 and providing speed on the bases. Seniors Abby Wilhem, Mya Bristow and Sophomore Kamryn Waters have mashed at the plate, putting up impressive power numbers throughout the course of the season. In the circle, Hoffman has been a true ace with an ERA hovering around 1.00 and averaging well over a strikeout an inning. Senior Maddy Duvall has been very strong as well, with an ERA just under 2.00 along with great command and also averaging well over a strikeout an inning.
    • Raymore-Peculiar is coming in hot with an impressive 1-0 victory over Liberty on 10/21/23. The Panthers only two losses of the season have come at the hands of Blue Springs South, with the Jaguars defeating the Panthers 5-3 on 9/18/23 and again 3-1 on 10/2/23. Sophomore LHP Kelsie Donaldson has been a menace in the circle and at the plate for the Panthers, providing power at the plate and overpowering opposing hitters all season. Fellow Sophomore Reygan Ackley has proven capable in the circle and at the plate as well. Senior Hayden Kurtz has put up impressive offensive numbers for the season, showing big power throughout the fall. Other key offensive performers for the Panthers have been Junior Bailey Hummel, Sophomore Carmen Boxberger and Freshman Abbi Schuster.

 

Dynamic Addie Frank Makes Her Mark on the Baseball and Softball Diamond

Dynamic Addie Frank Makes Her Mark on the Baseball and Softball Diamond

By Jeff Strange

For Oakville (MO) High School sophomore and Missouri Bombers ’08 Gold/Arizona Peaches athlete Addie Frank, taking an annual trip to train with the USA Women’s National Baseball team in Vero Beach, FL has become a tradition over the past few years. She will be making her way back to the Jackie Robinson facility again in early November as an official prospect in the invite-only Breakthrough Series event that is conducted on behalf of USA Baseball and Major League Baseball.

Quite a prestigious honor for the left-handed hitting/left-handed throwing Frank, who has developed a reputation as one of the top youth female baseball players in the country.

However, shortly after her trip to Florida in early November for the MLB and USA Baseball backed event, Frank will find her way back to the MLB Jackie Robinson Training Center in Vero Beach to participate in the invite-only USA Softball High Performance Program National Selection Event. Often referred to as “The Pipeline to the Women’s National Team,” the USA Softball High Performance Program aims to identify a group of athletes to train, compete and represent USA Softball through national and international competition.

As an athlete that has been highly recognized for her skills in both sports, Frank has come a long ways since she was an 8-year old baseball player hitting bombs over the fence at nearby Affton Athletic Association.

“I started playing baseball because my two older brothers both played and I always played catch with them and went to their games and loved it,” said Frank. “I didn’t even think about playing softball. I just wanted to play baseball. It started being fun in tee ball when I would hit the ball farther and harder than everyone else at Affton – into the woods – and then especially when I was 8 and started pitching baseball games and everyone would cheer for me.”

As her love for baseball grew, Frank found success through various routines such as hitting in the cages, getting defensive reps in and working on her throwing mechanics almost daily. Often, it was her family members that helped build the foundation for her skillset.

“My dad was always my main hitting coach,” said Frank. “I’ve worked with other hitting instructors throughout the years, mainly to tweak little things I’m working on. My brother would hit the ball as hard as he could at me and I would make the plays. He would always laugh and get excited and try to hit it harder and harder. It was a lot of fun and it made it so that I am not afraid of the ball.”

Frank continued to play club baseball through this past summer, usually hitting in the top or middle of the order and started at 1B. She also has spent significant time on the mound, often finding herself pitching on Sunday. Currently slated to play with the Arizona Peaches all girls baseball team, Frank has hopes to one-day play on the USA Women’s National Baseball team.

Those aspirations prompted an eagerness to get onto the softball diamond a little over a year ago. As a freshman at Oakville (MO) High School, Frank tried out for the team and immediately found success, ending her first season with the following awards:

  • 1st Team All-District
  • 1st Team All-Conference
  • 1st Team All-Region
  • 2nd Team All-State
  • 1st Team All-Metro for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Despite the success with softball in her first season, there were some adjustments in the box and in the field that Frank had to initially implement to find her groove.

“At first I struggled with my timing at the plate, and it was a little weird to get used to the pitching,” said Frank. “The pitchers were so close and I was facing some of the best arms around the country and it was hard to know when to load. But then I got used to it, and the ball started looking like a beach ball to me. Defensively, I learned that everything had to be as fast as possible, and you don’t have as much time. I had to be quick.”

Frank’s approach, work ethic and willingness to adjust has also reaped benefits for her achievements.

“Offensively, I think my mechanics and intent make the difference,” said Frank. “With less than 2 strikes, I treat everything like a 3-1 count, looking for something I can hit as hard as I can. When I get two strikes, I battle. Defensively, I have worked hard on having good fielding mechanics and to have quick hands and feet. I’m always looking to get that next out. I just feel like I really understand the game and love to play it. But, I feel like I really started to become athletic when I started working out four times a week. It’s really made a difference for me. Especially in my confidence on the field.”  

In the midst of a productive sophomore campaign, Frank was slashing with a line of .565/.654/.839/1.493 with 35 hits in 62 ABs, including 3 home runs, 6 doubles, 15 walks and 28 runs scored. Perhaps her most proud stat is that she had only struck out once in 78 plate appearances upon submission of this interview.

“When I get two strikes, I battle,” said Addie. “I hate striking out.”

As the conclusion of her 10th grade softball season approaches, the class of 2026 baseball/softball standout has her eyes on her two upcoming Florida events, in addition to joining her Missouri Bombers ’08 Gold softball team and Arizona Peaches baseball team.

Her goals on the softball diamond mimic those on the baseball diamond. The combination of her work ethic and her reputation as a standout in both sports might just lead to uncharted territories.

“You have to work hard and not expect it to be easy,” said Frank. “It takes time and patience. You may not see improvements from day to day. It takes months and years, but when you finally see it, you know it was all worth it. I want to play D1 softball in college and try to play for Team USA Softball. I want to play on the USA Women’s National Baseball team as well. I think it would be a lot of fun to play both baseball and softball for the women’s national teams.”

Carlie Muhlbach Commits to Nebraska

Carlie Muhlbach Commits to Nebraska

When Carlie Muhlbach (2025) announced her commitment to Nebraska it ended a long process that she had thought about since she was 4-years old.  The Gretna High School junior committed to the Huskers on September 3rd, just two days after college coaches are allowed to contact high school juniors.  “There were various schools that I was interested in, but Nebraska was always at the top of my list”, said Muhlbach.

Nebraska felt like home and Muhlbach loved how that feeling she got when she was on campus.  The Husker facilities and coaches were also a major factor in her commitment.  “The facilities were amazing, the program was great, and the coaches were phenomenal”, said Muhlbach.  “It seemed like I had known them for years when I first talked to them!”.

Nebraska coach Rhonda Revelle and the Huskers are getting a competitive teammate that can hit for power.  Muhlbach leads Gretna, the No. 1 ranked team in Nebraska, in home runs (8) and slugging percentage (.980) while primarily playing catcher, but also filling in at various other positions.   

Muhlbach’s love for softball started at a young age.  A 4-years old she started playing T-ball and grew into playing travel or club softball from there.  She played on multiple travel teams before joining the Nebraska Gold 16u National team.  One of her fondest memories was when her Nebraska Gold team won the World’s Fastpitch Champions Tournament in Kansas. 

“The hard work, dedication, and commitment really paid off for everyone in the end! It was a fantastic way to wrap up our season”, said Muhlbach. 

Outside of softball Muhlbach throws the shot put and discus in track.  She also enjoys spending time with her dad watching movies, sports, and traveling.

 

Recruiting 2025 – The Legend of Clubb Grows

Recruiting 2025 – The Legend of Clubb Grows

By Jeff Strange

Way out west of St. Louis, MO – about 50 miles or so – lies a small, semi-rural community of about 4,800 people. Wright City, MO once claimed fame from the large Big Boy Restaurant sign off of Highway 70 and the Elvis is Alive Museum, which delved into the proposition that the King of Rock was still living.

These days, folks around these parts know well about a new hot-topic. Wright City High School Junior softball player Lydia Clubb has gained interest for her academic achievements, genuinely good-natured personality and her extraordinary athletic feats.

But who exactly is this 2025 Infielder/Outfielder starring for Wright City High School and the Missouri Bombers 18u softball team?

“She’s just a dynamic athlete,” said Brian Veselske, head coach of the Missouri Bombers 18u squad. “She’s very humble, she doesn’t boast about herself. But when she steps between the white lines, you just know that you’re going to get 110% from that kid every game.”

That blue-collar work ethic – combined with her elite athleticism – has helped propel this young athlete into local folklore that the residents of her hometown and her club coach speak in awe of.

 

 

Some True or False quizzing about Lydia Clubb:

  • Lydia Clubb once scored from second base on a passed ball?
    • Her elite speed and high-energy motor on the base paths allowed her to cross home plate in a recent High School game while on second base and a pitch getting away from the catcher.
  • A natural right-handed hitter, Lydia Clubb once turned to the left side of the plate and homered.
    • Lydia’s dad Jason taught her how to switch-hit when she was younger and she will still occasionally move to the left side of the batter’s box. She smoked a gap shot home run last fall.
  • Lydia Clubb holds records in track for her school in the 4×400 relay, the 4×200 relay, the 100-meter dash.
    • Lydia has been running track since 8th grade and has gained a reputation as one of the top runners in the state.
  • Lydia Clubb is an accomplished trapshooter.
    • Lydia has shot since around the age of 11, participating in her school’s trapshooting club.
  • Lycia Clubb is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and able to leap over the old Big Boy sign along Highway 70 in her hometown.
    • Ok, Ok…they can’t all be true. But you get the point…this young athlete is making a name for herself. And just when you think that she’s trumped about every accomplishment that can be listed, she manages to amaze everyone in her presence with her talents.

So what drives this young athlete?

 “Ever since I was little, I’ve had a love for softball,” said Clubb. “Anytime I was at practice, I would always try to put forth 110% effort all of the time. Then after practice, I would work by myself at home. I would hit off a tee nonstop, I would just throw a ball up in the air to try to catch it or I would throw a bouncy ball off of a piece of wood. Just anything that I could think of to try to get better.”  

As she has grown as a young athlete, Clubb has learned to pick up on the finer points of the game to help set herself apart.

“She’s got outstanding softball IQ,” said Missouri Bombers 18u coach Brian Veselske. “Her approach at the plate is that she is looking for 60 feet, and always looking for the extra bag. She reads the defense well; she is an exceptional bunter but also has gap-to-gap power. As a leadoff hitter this past summer, she led our team with in home runs. If you were to watch this kid, she gets your attention. You never know what is going to happen because of her athleticism. She reads a defense and will drop a bunt. If it bounces once or twice, forget about it. Her speed is going to put her on the bag.”

With a growing reputation as an athlete that can play all over the field – she is well known for her range and arm at shortstop, but has also seen time in the outfield – and an explosive athlete at the plate and on the bases, Clubb has her sights set on the next levels beyond her high school years.

 “I would love to play college softball,” said Clubb. “My academic goals are to hopefully find a school with an engineering program that I could also have an opportunity to play at.”

Those who know her best believe in her as an athlete, a student and a person.

“She’s a country girl,” said Coach Veselske. “She works hard. When she’s not practicing or playing softball, she works with her dad on construction projects. She’s just gifted with a lot of quality attributes. She’s got exceptional speed, she’s versatile in the field, she’s always shown a great dedication to the sport and she does very well in school. She can play at the next level, there’s no doubt in my mind about it.”

Student-Athletes Find Ways to Cope, Manage Mental Health

Student-Athletes Find Ways to Cope, Manage Mental Health

By TGE Staff

Things To Remember . . . 

 

  1. You don’t have to be perfect.
  2. Having a bad day is ok.
  3. Small steps are also progress.
  4. Asking for help is strength.
  5. People love and appreciate you.

 

*     *     *

 

In what has recently been referred to as the “quiet crisis” in college sports, student-athletes are finding different ways to manage exhaustion, anxiety, depression and other conditions leading to their overall mental health.

 

Being a college student-athlete is the pinnacle of most players’ careers, but the journey to reach that goal can certainly take its toll, not just physically, but mentally as well.

 

Along the trek to make it to the highest level, student-athletes face pressures and challenges that come with extra training, preparation and competition, and learning to deal with those has become imperative.

 

Athletes, and especially amateurs still in the college ranks, don’t want to appear weak or like they can’t handle the pressures. But mental health is a condition that has demanded a call to action, just like that of a physical injury, and more and more athletes are speaking out about the pressures they face and skills that they use to find a medium among the madness.

 

I met Molly Heidrick in 2019.  At the time, she was a 15 year old pitcher and she and my daughter were on the verge of becoming teammates with a new team for both of them.  Molly and her father and my daughter and I made plans to meet for lunch so that the girls could meet.  On the outside, Molly was just like any other 15 year old girl; giggy, bubbly and fun.  But what I didn’t know then and I learned over the years of eventually becoming one of her coaches is that, on the inside, Molly dealt with performance anxiety.  

 

Performance anxiety is real and it is said to be caused by negative thinking, fear of failing, inability to deal with adversity or uncertainty, problems with focusing and feeling the need to be overwhelmingly perfect.  It is a manageable condition, and now a sophomore pitcher at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MIssouri, Molly has found her own ways.

 

-Telling someone about it

“When I got to school here at Lindenwood, I actively sought out my coaches and teammates and spoke to them about my anxiety. I told them about what could lessen or worsen my symptoms and how they can help me if I were to be feeling very anxious one day. I am also very upfront about it when it is happening. Some days I just show up to weights or practice experiencing a lot of anxiety, so I simply tell my coaches and teammates that I’m feeling very anxious that day so that they can offer me some extra support if I need it, which they are wonderful about!”

 

-Distraction

“If you are someone who has seen me play or be in a game environment, I like to keep the energy very high. I am always singing, dancing or celebrating every small thing while I am on the mound. I’ve found that if I throw myself into whatever is happening at that moment, my anxiety will fade into the background. Obviously, there will always be moments where anxiety will be harder to look away from, but putting my entire focus onto something else has always helped me.”

 

-Being “in the arena”

“Our mantra here at Lindenwood softball is being “in the arena”, which basically means going all out every single play, even though you know that you could fail. A lot of my personal performance anxiety comes from fear of failure and judgement. But adopting this mantra and knowing that my teammates have done the same really calms me down on the mound. Judgement is something that has been harder for me to overcome, but over my first year of college, I found out that the people who would judge me based on my performance on the field and not by who I am and how hard I work are not people that I would want in my circle. At the end of my day, I know who my supporters are, and those are the people that matter, not the critics.”

 

-Acknowledging my anxiousness

“It took me a long time to realize that there is a difference between performance anxiety and being nervous. But it also took me a long time to realize that it is ok to be either. The best athletes in the world get nervous. There are Olympic gold medalists who struggle with performance anxiety, and that’s ok! But what sets them apart is that they recognize how they are feeling and harness it towards their goals.”

 

*     *     *

 

More specifically, Molly was open to the recognition of the anxiety and nerves that came with her recruiting process just a short time ago.  It was a choice that would ultimately change the trajectory of her life.  Like others, she received mail and she got phone calls and emails.  She was receptive to advice that she got from peers and coaches.  But while everyone’s journey is their own and it doesn’t come with instructions, Molly handled the process and the anxiety that came with it the best she could.

 

First, she made a list of things that she wanted and didn’t care to have in a school.

 

Next, she asked herself, “Would I attend this school even if I didn’t play softball here?” and “Is this somewhere I would be happy if softball were taken away from me?”

 

Her next step was talking through the process with her family and coaches while also coming to realize that the decision she would make would be hers.  Molly admits that input from others was considered and respected, but when it all culminated, it would be her who was moving and beginning a new life in a new town.

 

And lastly, Molly trusted her gut.  

 

She said,  “Anxiety is the body’s natural process to signal to you that something is not quite right. When you’re on a visit, you should feel comfortable at the school or with the coaches and players. If they are just increasing your anxiety, listen to it and take that into account. But remember, there is a difference between being nervous and being anxious.”

 

“Softball is something that has never come to me naturally,” Molly added. “I have always seemed to struggle with it more than the girls I played with. I only started being successful in softball once I stopped fighting my anxiety and started working with it. Part of why I am so animated on the field is because I allow myself to fully feel my emotions; the excitement, the disappointment, the joy. The more you fight negative emotions, the more they will fight back. Once I started to let myself feel and accept my anxiety, the quicker it faded. But for better or worse, it is a large part of who I am.”

 

They are sons.  They are daughters.  They are students.  And they are athletes.  But it is important to treat athletes as more than just their sport.  It can be easy to forget that they have a whole life outside of the sport they play.  

 

They have a whole life; just like you and me.

 

 

PICTURE CUTLINE: PERFORMANCE ANXIETY has always been a condition that Molly Heidrick, 19, has managed.  Molly never let it deter her from her goals, however, and she is now a sophomore pitcher in the Ohio Valley Conference for Lindenwood University.

 

Recruiting 2025 – Robbins Builds on Foundation of Family and Friends

Recruiting 2025 – Robbins Builds on Foundation of Family and Friends

By Jeff Strange

For Farmington, MO class of 2025 LHP/1B/OF Elly Robbins, softball runs in the family. Having grown up and watching her older sister Abby play with Top Gun Fastpitch (and now a sophomore playing at Southeast Missouri State University), Elly developed a curious interest in the game at a young age.

My sister had a lot to do with my motivation behind starting to play softball,” said Robbins. “I would watch her practice and watch her games. That got me started and on my feet from there.”

The game had an immediate impact on Elly, as she took to working with her sister along with a group of friends from the Farmington, MO area.

“My sister Abby and I would work together to make each other better, ever since I started playing,” said Robbins. “There’s also a group of girls from my hometown that I’ve played together with for a long time. We play high school ball together now and we’ve always hung out together, whether it was on the softball field or just socially.”

It was at around the age of 10 years old that the idea of pitching came to the forefront of Elly’s pursuit.

“I can clearly remember one night sitting at the dining room table,” said Elly. “My dad mentioned after talking about my older sister Abby’s pitching that it could be cool to have two pitchers in the family; one that is right-handed (Abby) and one that is left-handed (Elly).”

Shortly after that conversation, Elly added pitching to her game, along with a strong bat and a good glove. She starred as a high-level athlete at a young age, achieving success in the pitcher’s circle, in the batter’s box and in the field.

Elly now finds herself as a well-regarded 2025 recruit, playing with the Top Gun National 17u team, sought after for her left arm in the circle and bat from the left side.

“Elly’s a left-handed pitcher that sits low-mid 60’s and spins it very well,” said Randi Davis-Shanks, Robbins pitching instructor and coach for the Top Gun ’08 National team. “She’s just a very smart, level-headed kid. Her curve, rise and change are great strengths. When she works ahead and manages counts, she is dangerous.”

Davis-Shanks also believes that Robbins could be a legitimate two-player at the next level as well.

“She hits very well,” said Davis-Shanks, emphasizing the word “hits” in her statement. “I absolutely think that Elly can play on both sides. She is a disciplined enough kid that she’ll continue to work on both. She works her tail off, she’s super respectful and overall just a great kid.”

That work ethic has included weekly visits with a personal trainer, weekly pitching lessons and countless hours of tee work and front toss on her own. She also has participated in the Inner-Circle Pitching program that her travel organization Top Gun Fastpitch ran last winter, which was a 16-week structured combination of a throwing and workout blueprint that according to Robbins helped her gain some speed on her ball.

Robbins overall commitment to developing herself has led to interest from multiple college programs eager to bring her into their system. With a strong academic background and a desire to play on both sides of the ball, Robbins is weighing her options carefully.

“I’m not rushing anything by any means,” said Robbins. “But I hope that I can find somewhere to call home sometime over the next several months. Ultimately, I’m looking for a school that can help me meet my academic goals along with my softball goals.”

With a positive perspective on the present state of the game and a mature respect for what opportunities the game can offer, Elly Robbins offers an inspiring outlook to the next generation of athletes with similar goals.

“The softball community is doing well,” said Robbins. “The game is getting plenty of recognition. I would say find something that you enjoy and work hard. It’s not easy to be a student-athlete, but if it’s something that you enjoy and love, it’s something that you can run with and it can help you develop a good work ethic and lead to great friendships.”

Gretna’s Alexis Jensen Commits to Nebraska

Gretna’s Alexis Jensen Commits to Nebraska

September 1st is a big day in recruiting if you’re a junior.  It’s the first day that college coaches can reach out to juniors and offer them scholarships.  For Alexis Jensen (2025), it was a game day, and her team was playing in the NFCA Kaiti Williams tournament.  “It was a game day, so I was trying to stay as locked in as possible and try not to think about anything but our team,” said Jensen. Once the tournament was over, Jensen made it know she was verbally committing to Nebraska.  She sent the following Tweet announcing her decision to join the Big Red. Jensen said she knew Lincoln was the place for her after attending a camp and seeing the Nebraska coaches up close.  “[Coach Revelle] was so bubbly and like a little kid running around and I thought it would be a great fit,” said Jensen.  She added that the coaches were like family and made it an easy decision. The Huskers are getting a left-handed pitcher with a nasty riseball and great changeup.  She also plays first base and can hit.  Jensen currently has a 0.41 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 34 innings pitched.  At the plate, she is hitting .500 with 11 RBI.  Last year, she pitched over 185 innings and finished the season with a 31-2 record while recording 376 strikeouts.  In a game against North Plate, she tied the state record by striking out 20 batters in a game. Gretna is currently 13-1 and ranked #1 by the Omaha World-Herald.  The Dragons are aiming to win a state championship that eluded them last year after losing twice in the state finals.  Their only two losses of the year. Alexis will be joined at Nebraska by her fellow high school teammate Carlie Muhlbach (2025) who also committed to the Huskers.  

Recruiting 2025 – Carr Carves out Road of Success

Recruiting 2025 - Carr Carves out Road of Success

By Jeff Strange

For standout 2025 Abby Carr, the avenue to achievement began at a young age.

“I remember back when Abby was in 7th and 8th grade telling Abby’s parents that she was going to be a Power 5 kid,” said Matt Alvarado, head coach of Select Fastpitch – Alvarado 18u. “They looked at me like I was crazy back then, and look at her now.”

The junior RHP/1B has developed into one of the top prospects to watch in the 2025 class, but her path has been paved through many years of arduous training and a genuine enjoyment for the game that she has grown to savor.                                                          

Carr’s passion for sports started at a young age. With a strong athletic pedigree – mom Katie was a D1 softball player at the University of Pittsburgh and dad Mike played baseball at Missouri State & Scottsdale CC before spending 10 years in the MLB in various roles – Abby took to athletic competition early on.

“I would come home from school and all the kids on the street would play wiffle ball until I had to leave for a practice or lesson,” said Carr. “This is how I learned to play softball. I would swim 3 or 4 days a week competitively and we did softball work 3 times a week. I don’t remember it being work; it was just fun! I was able to be with my friends. Whether it be practice or lessons, we always had something going on and when we didn’t, we were playing wiffle ball outside.” 

It was at around the age of 11 that Abby started to gravitate mostly towards softball.

“I played everything from soccer, volleyball, basketball, competitive swimming, tennis, and even golf,” said Carr. “In fact, my parents did everything to push me not to play softball. They didn’t want me to feel like I had to do what they did. Clearly it did not work!”    

As Abby got older, the combination of her work ethic and advanced approach began to help elevate her game.

“Something that has set her apart has been her maturity,” said coach Matt Alvarado. “I remember back in 2020 when she was a seventh grader, she didn’t carry herself like a 12 year old.”

Fast forward to the present and the 6’0” RHP/1B armed with 66mph heat, a vicious curve and devastating change up in the circle – along with standout power at the plate and a strong glove in the field – has cemented herself as an exciting prep prospect in the 2025 class.

As September 1st approached, Carr was not without emotions.

 

“I felt confident about the work that I had put in and the camps that I have attended,” said Carr. “I was getting good feedback from coaches, along with things that I needed to work on as well. I struggled staying focused leading up until midnight, but I was excited, nervous, and even had butterflies in my stomach. I had a 9:30pm hitting lesson that didn’t get me home until about 10:45pm. Keeping busy was a good thing leading into midnight.”

Once the clock hit midnight on 9/1/23, that’s when the phone began to buzz.

“I received about 15 phone calls, texts, and videos in the first 20 minutes once it hit midnight,” said Carr. “I finally went to bed at 2am. I had scheduled calls on Sept. 1 up until 12:30pm and then had to find a way to get focused to go play a High School game against a really good team from Oklahoma. That evening I had another 15-20 texts and emails to respond to and scheduled 12 more zoom/phone calls over the weekend. It was incredibly overwhelming and flattering. It still is to be honest! I am extremely thankful to every coach that believes in me and has reached out.”

While she has not made an official commitment yet, Carr did indicate that she has narrowed her list of schools down to eight, with four official upcoming visits set up between Big 10, Big 12, SEC, and ACC schools. 

In the meantime, Abby plans to continue putting in the hard work that has led her to this point, while also reflecting on the positive support that she has received from her family and friends.

“My mom always tells me to enjoy the moment and don’t look to the future too soon; you won’t appreciate what’s in front of you,” said Carr. “I would love to win a state championship for my high school, but first we have to get out of one of the hardest districts in the state. I would also like to finalize my commitment as well. I’m thankful that at 9:30pm on any given night that my sister will catch my spins, or early in the morning my parents can throw front toss. Most of my friends all play sports at a high level – whether it be volleyball or soccer – so they are very understanding of my schedule. I have a great group of friends that are supportive and always checking in!”

Abby Carr’s story of focus and a positive outlook offers inspiration for her peers and encouragement for a younger generation of athletes.

“Don’t ever give up,” said Carr. “There is no recipe to success. Passion and hard work will take you the farthest. I was just an average player when I began my journey. My parents gave me every opportunity to help navigate my path and even told me that I don’t have to do this. I choose to work hard and am thankful for every opportunity, good and bad – it has made me who I am today. I would also tell kids and parents to celebrate the small victories. The small victories will turn into big victories. This process is a marathon, and it took me 12 years to get to this point from the time I picked up a ball at age 5.”