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You think you’ve had a tough year.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 Extra Elite 100 pitcher Halie Pappion from Lake Charles, Louisiana, missed her spring season at Barbe High, then suffered a leg injury that took out her summer club season. She also decided to reopen her recruiting after committing to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in the 8th grade.
But that was nothing compared to what would await her and her family at the end of the summer.
On August 27, Hurricane Laura made landfall in Louisiana and Lake Charles bore the brunt of the storm as it progressed inland. With winds as high as 150 mph, Hurricane Laura was the first Category 4 hurricane to ever hit Southwestern Louisiana and the destruction it left behind was devastating.
When the storm finally passed August 29th, 72 people had been killed and the property damage was over $10 billion dollars. Halie’s hometown was so severely damaged with the schools and other infrastructures being knocked out that it became apparent Halie would have to attend another high school until hers could be reopened.
But where to go? Enter the Rothrock family of Whiteland, Indiana.
While travel ball can be huge in scope and participation, the interconnections at the elite level can be intimate and strong.
Greg and Laura Rothrock have probably put more miles on their car and flight dollars on their credit cards than most travelling salesmen. Supporting their fantastically talented daughter, Keagan Rothrock, a Florida-committed pitcher and the No. 1 ranked player in the 2023 Extra Elite 100, the Rothrocks have made connections with players and families all over the nation. In the last six months, they had become more close to the Pappilon family after Halie joined Keagan’s Mojo-Fisher club team last year.
“We had met the Pappion family in 12U at a tournament in Atlanta,” Laura, a well-respected pitching coach, begins. “ We have always seen each other at various tournaments throughout the summers and we enjoy cheering on each other’s girls.”
Still, Keagan’s mom admits they weren’t super close at first.
“Halie and Keagan didn’t really know each other except saying ‘hi’ and taking pics with each other when we’d play against each other or see them at tournaments.”
With Halie’s leg injury this summer, she was limited in what she could do but was able to get in some lessons with Laura Rothrock. When the scary potential of the hurricane was first realized, the Rothrocks didn’t hesitate in opening their home to Halie to not just stay for a few days, but to move in and start school at Roncalli (Indianapolis) High.
“They (the Pappion family) took a big leap of faith for her to come and stay,” Laura believes. “Our families are friends through softball, we didn’t really know each other than that, but for Halie’s family to send her to us because they knew they couldn’t provide what she needed after the hurricane for softball and school was a lot. For her to come in and stay with us and, not know us, I’m sure was stressful.”
Halie moved in with the Rothrocks just two days after the hurricane while her family remained back in Louisiana (although Halie’s mom did come up two weeks ago to see her daughter and stay with the Rockrocks for a period of time).
“We had no power, school, or anything functioning,” remembers Halie. “It was a very tough decision for my parents because I have never been away from home for more than a couple of days. I have been playing travel ball since I was 8–years-old and they have never missed a practice or tournament. So, it was not an easy decision.”
In the two months that Halie has lived in the Hoosier State, away from not just her parents but an older sister who is at Louisiana in Lafayette, Halie has “become like a daughter to us,” says her temporary Midwest mom.
“She and Keagan have really grown close since she has been here,” Laura says. “Kea is an only child and is very conservative and laid back while Halie is happy-go-lucky and embraces change. They have rubbed off on each other.”
Keagan admits she benefited initially from having Halie around because she’s a year older and, well, had something she didn’t: a driver’s license.
“At the beginning when Halie first moved in with us, I think I initially bonded with her well because we were able to spend a ton of time together given that she can drive! Another thing that I think really helped us bond was the fact that I’ve always wanted a sister and that dream finally came true when Halie moved in with us. It’s nice to finally have someone else my age in the house with me!”
Their friendship has blossomed each says, even though they have contrasting—but complimentary—personalities.
“I think Halie is a really fun person to be around and she really pushes me outside of my comfort zone when it comes to things socially,” Keagan continues. “I’m kind of a laid-back person and Halie is a really outgoing and a social person. I also think that she is a great leader on the field and has an awesome attitude in the dugout. She always has a positive attitude and can make anyone laugh. Personally, I think it’s also an awesome quality to have an as athlete.”
For her part, Halie says she’s loved her time with the Rothrocks and the opportunity to get closer to Keagan. When asked how Keagan and her parents have helped her with all the turmoil going on this summer, Halie exclaims: “I do not even know where to start with that!”
“The Rothrocks were constantly checking on my family before, during, and after the storm offering their help. Without hesitation, they invited me to stay with them and, since I have been with them, I have been given the opportunity to enroll in school full-time. More than 97 percent of the schools in our district were damaged and my high school was one of the worst.”
Halie also believes her softball skills have improved during her stay in Indiana.
“I have been given the opportunity to train every day and get pitching lessons from Mrs. Laura during the week. The facility where we work out and do lessons is such a supportive environment. Kegan has become like a sister and she and I also work out together sometimes. It has been great. They have welcomed me with open arms and have treated me like family since I have been here. They have been very caring and understanding.”
Though a year younger, Keagan feels she’s benefitted from a friendship that has become almost like a family tie.
“Over the past month or so I really do think Halie and I have grown closer just because of the amount of time we’ve been able to spend together,” she says. “These past couple weeks we’ve ran errands together and just gone and had lunch or dinner together like sisters would and it’s been nice. I’m so excited to see what her future has in store for her because I know wherever she decides to go to college, they’re getting a great one!”
That’s quite a compliment coming from Keagan, an ace pitcher who didn’t miss a beat this last year when her Mojo teach coached by Josh Fisher moved up from 14U to 16U this summer.
Halie’s softball resume is also quite extensive. Ranked as the #37 overall player in the 2022 Extra Elite 100 and a Top 10 pitcher, the Louisiana native is a three-time national champion herself—two at USA Elite Worlds and one at Triple Crown Sparkler in the Power Pool.
The pitcher also had an explosive start to her high school career in 2019 as she earned Class 5AAAAA All-State and All District honors and was the All Southwest Louisiana MVP as she went 21-5 with 202 K’s in 166.1 innings and compiled a 1.23 ERA. Offensively, was just as potent batting .423 with 10 home runs and 44 RBIs in 97 at-bats.
Her 2020 campaign at Barbe High was only two games before the season was cancelled due to the Coronavirus but she did go 2-0 with 20 K’s in 13.2 innings, had a 0.512 ERA and a .714 batting average.
Ask her what her strengths are, however, and Halie won’t talk about her physical tools, but more on her off-the-field traits.
“I think that I am very positive,” she says. “I am confident, fun to be around, and I am a really good teammate.”
Her recent pitching instructor agrees with that… and much more.
Recovered from her leg injury, Halie is back up-to-speed physically and keeping up with Keagan and her intensive workouts.
“Halie hasn’t allowed COVID or Hurricane Laura to change her goal or practice routine,” Coach Laura adds. “It would be easy to get caught up with all the chaos that she has gone through recently, but she never complains. We run an extremely busy schedule with lessons, workouts, hitting and Keagan helping the younger girls and Halie has jumped in with both feet and embraced our crazy daily routine.”
“She is working out with our trainers, throwing every day and doing great at a new school where she didn’t know anyone going into it. I’m very proud of her and the way she carries herself at a time when she could get down very easily.”
*****
We caught up with Halie to get the latest… here’s our exclusive interview with this “never say die” student-athlete!
It’s been a tough year in many ways for many people, but you’ve also had to deal with Hurricane Laura too. How bad did that impact you and your family and where are you today with it?
Yes, this year has been tough, but it has also opened up many opportunities for me. Initially before the storm, my mom, aunt, and I evacuated to New Orleans. My dad was going to stay in Lake Charles with our dogs because one of them was sick, but when the forecast got worse, he decided to join us at the last minute. He picked up my older sister from college on the way to New Orleans. The morning after the storm, my dad went back home to assess the damage and secure our home. The rest of us stayed in New Orleans for five more days since we were under a mandatory evacuation. Within two days of returning to Lake Charles, I was on a plane to Indiana and here I am.
Your hometown was very impacted by the hurricane and you’re staying with the Rothrocks. If so, any idea of when you’ll be able to head back home?
The last I have heard is that my school may be opening at the end of October, but for right now I am living with the Rothrocks.
Were you able to play this summer and get in as many games/tournaments as you normally would?
Unfortunately, I was unable to play this summer due to a crack in my tibia. For months we thought it was shin splints, so I kept pitching and training. Thankfully, I was able to attend a couple of tournaments to support my team. I’ve been looking forward to playing this fall.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected you with school and softball?
Since COVID and before I came to Indiana, I had not been in school since March. I was able to enroll in school here about a week and a half ago. Also, our high school season was canceled. It was very disappointing because we made it to the State Championship game the previous year for the first time in over 10 years and we were very excited about our chances this year.
*** Scroll down to read more from Halie including where she is in the recruiting process…