by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Having a season end just 14 games into the spring was devastating enough but particularly so to a corps of seven Kansas City Kansas Community College sophomores who just a year ago led the Blue Devils to one of the best softball seasons in history.
Their 38 wins are the second most ever at KCKCC and they finished runnerup in the NJCAA Region VI district.
Faced with adverse weather and a demanding non-conference schedule, the Blue Devils were 7-7 this spring before the NJCAA stopped all competition because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“An incredible group of young athletes who have set the standard for all future Blue Devils,” second-year coach Lana Ross said. “I could not be more proud of not only the accomplishments on the field but for the strong women they’ve become.”
The sophomores, with comments from coach Ross:
Alexis Rymer, Piper – Batted .452 with incredible .903 slugging percentage. Led team in RBI (15) and home runs (3); played errorless right field. “A gifted outfielder and power hitter who made one of the biggest transformations I have witnessed. I’m not sure I heard her speak more than 10 words her entire freshman semester and now she’s one of the strongest women I know.”
Devin Purcell, Eudora – A .347 hitter from leadoff spot. Led in runs scored (13) and second in hits (17); had no errors defensively. “Our starting centerfielder from the day she arrived on campus. One of the most amazing players I have coached, not only because of her athleticism and second to none work ethic but because of her ability to keep everyone, including me, smiling and laughing even when it got tough.”
Jennica Messer, McLouth – Hit at a career high .341 clip, rapping out 14 hits including team high five doubles. “Our starting catcher who caught all of our pitchers and became a great hitter we could always count on. I may have been harder on Jennica than anyone but I could see the potential she didn’t know she had. Every time I pushed, she got better.”
Hanna Redick, Shawnee Mission North – A .325 hitter, drove in 11 runs with 13 hits. Made just one error in 55 infield chances. “A quiet young woman who walked into my office in July before her freshman year and asked if she could walk on. It took her less than two weeks to earn a scholarship. Started at shortstop and led off during an incredible freshman season (.368), leading by example on and off the field and maintaining a perfect GPA.”
Shaylun Grosstephan, Girard – Compiled 3-2 pitching record after 15-6 record as freshman. Also played first base, hitting .256. “An amazing and talented pitcher who worked so very hard on her game. One of the smartest players and a true student of the game, Shay is everything a coach dreams of, a great teammate, perfect student in the classroom and incredibly coachable.”
MacKenzie Pinkerton, Chanhassen, Minnesota – Made just one pitching start after pre-season injury this spring. Was 16-12 as freshman with 134 strikeouts while hitting .256. “A Minnesota native who took a chance to start her career with us and boy, are we lucky she did. An incredible pitcher and fierce competitor, she led her team as a freshman in the circle. A teammate you want on your team, she had to fight incredibly hard for this season.”
Alaina Howe, Eudora – Batted ,235 in 14 games at second base after starting every game at third base as a freshman. “A very talented infielder and one of the hardest workers I have known. Not only does she work hard every single day at practice and the weight room, she maintains a high GPA and holds down a job.”
While graduation will take seven starters, the Blue Devils will re-build next season around a pair of freshmen team leaders from Lansing, outfielder Leah Seichepine and pitcher-first baseman Bradi Basler. Seichepine led in hitting with a .462 average and in hits (18) and slugged at a .564 mark.
Basler compiled a 4-4 record on the mound, striking out 59 and walking 20 with a 5.13 earned run average. She also hit .385 with 15 hits, three home runs and seven extra base hits, 14 RBI and a .718 slugging percentage.
Abby Henson of Pleasant Hope, Missouri, who started all 14 games at third base while hitting .293 with 12 hits, also returns along with infielder Madison Pope of McLouth, who hit .333 in nine games, and outfielder Alyssa Seichepine of Lansing, .333 in six games.
Well before the emergence of the coronavirus suspension of games, Ross and assistant Jenn Strohman began recruitment of what they consider a promising class of freshmen.
“We have 10 incoming freshmen of whom I’m very excited,” Ross said. “I think once we can all get back, everyone will be excited to work hard and get better every single day to have the best season in history.”