RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Editor’s Note: we at Extra Inning Softball have been happy to promote the college leagues such as the Florida Gulf Coast League which have provided opportunities this summer for players to get extra games in after the cancellation of their seasons.
Here is another positive example of one that took place this summer with info and photos provided by Top Gun Events…
*****
Just a few months ago, the hearts from college athletes across the nation hung heavy as their entire season was lost due to COVID. Enter Top Gun Events, a premier fastpitch event organization, who found a way to give college softball players a chance to get back to the ballpark and the sport they love in the Kansas City area.
When news broke that COVID would steal the softball season away, Top Gun Events jumped at the opportunity to help college softball players through the elongated off-season, forming the Top Gun College Summer Series. The experience originated to provide valuable game time and innings to athletes unable to play due to cancelled seasons.
“Top Gun discovered a need to support college athletes, post travel ball tournaments,” said Robb Behymer, founder of Top Gun Events. “We knew we could provide an avenue to help athletes stay sharp during the off season and prepare to play in the upcoming year.”
The Top Gun College Summer Series brought nearly 60 athletes from 29 different DI, DII, DIII, NAIA and JUCO schools in eight different states together, giving them a chance to compete against other 23U softball players from different colleges.
“It was really fun and interesting getting to play since we only had six games this season,” said Kyleigh Lay, pitcher from the University of Central Missouri and Plaza Moonshots. “It was really good competition and fun meeting new people from a bunch of different schools from around the country.”
Players received exposure on Top Gun Events website as Players of the Week, individual leader stats, and team standings that were updated after each series weekend, giving athletes a chance to document their progress throughout the summer series.
“Getting extra at bats is always a plus for a college softball player,” said Paige Wallace, third baseman for Newman University and the River Market Roadrunners this summer. “Also, with all of the changes to our precious seasons, it is nice to have a league where we can have fun and play without pressure.”
With games spread throughout the summer, the five Kansas City-themed teams battled it out for seeding positions before the championship series at the end of July. This last tournament of the series featured a double elimination format, with the Boulevard Bandits winning the championship title.
“It’s been really amazing to meet new girls and have new friendships,” said Madison Pope, shortstop for Kansas City Kansas Community College and Boulevard Bandits. “I didn’t think that I was going to get in as many reps this summer since our season got cut short. And it’s not just playing people that you’ve already played before.”
The players weren’t the only participants of the event. Teams were managed by a full coaching staff of former National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) players, college standouts and Hall of Fame inductees.
The coaches for the series included:
- Boulevard Bandits – Coached by Madi Osias: Drafted to the NPF by PA Rebellion, played internationally in Italy & the Netherlands, former pitcher at Ole Miss.
- KC Pitmasters – Coached by Lynsey Atkinson: Played at Iowa Wesleyan, has coached at the high-school and youth competitive league levels, was a 5 year instructor at KCK RBI.
- P&L Lookouts – Coached by Jessi Haffner: Former OSU pitcher/standout, 3x First-Team Academic All-Big 12.
- Plaza Moonshots – Coached by Tracy Bunge: Owner of Bunge Fastpitch training clinic in Lawrence, KU Athletics, Bartlesville Athletics and Kansas State Sports Hall of Fame Inductee; former head coach at Ohio and Kansas; former NPF assistant coach for PA Rebellion; former head coach for Dutch National Team.
- Rivermarket Roadrunners – Coached by Brittany Hile & Kelsey Stewart: Brittany – Drafted to the NPF by the Diamonds, 4x starter at University of Kansas, former volunteer coach at University of Louisiana Monroe and GA coach at Southern AR University. Kelsey – 2x National Champion at Florida, played professionally for the USSSA Pride, is a member of Team USA Softball.
“What we really enjoyed about getting out here and getting to play was not only just getting the reps but getting to spend time on the field and getting back to basics,” said Coach Osia. “I think that the girls really enjoyed getting to play with teammates from all over the country from different universities, different divisions and they definitely learned from each other which I thought was one of the biggest benefits.”
Games were played under NCAA rules, replicating regular in-season play.
“It’s pretty cool they get to come out here and play in these games and see live pitching because seeing live pitching isn’t something you get to do when you aren’t playing or practicing,” said Stewart. “You can hit off your team and hit in cages, but to see someone trying to strike you out is a little different. It was a bonus that they get to play with different girls inside and outside of their conference.”
Three weekends of round robin play through June and July led to a 4th weekend of tournament/bracket play for the series won by the Bandits.
For more information on the Top Gun Summer College Series, Click HERE.
*****
Here is the list of the players for each team…
