Throwback Thursday: An Update on 2022 Grad Alannah Rogers, Her Father Mark & the Touching Senior Night Ceremony That Left All in Tears
By
@BruntjensElla
March 14, 2024
An emotional moment at Willow Creek High senior night as Mark Rogers walks the bases accompanied by wife Amy (left) and daughter Alannah.
Over the last three years, I’ve been privileged to watch the impressive growth and accomplishments of 2022 graduate Alannah Rogers of Willow Creek High in Surprise, Ariz, an Extra Inning Softball 2021 All-American, and enjoyed getting to know her parents, Mark and Amy as well.
Mark was a club coach in the Hotshots organization when he suddenly suffered a life-threatening stroke in November of last year (2021) and it was touch-and-go for a while (you can read about this in articles we’re re-running below).
We’re happy to say that he continues to rehab and progress back and recently he was able to join Alannah—who goes by the cool nickname of “A1”—on the softball field in a ceremony that left no one in attendance with dry eyes.
We’ll let Amy recap that moment:
“Mark made his goal to be out of his wheelchair and walk at Alannah’s senior night for softball. It was so emotional to have him walk the bases with Alannah. Not a dry eye at the field. He did it with a hemi walker. Since then, he is now walking with a cane! Truly miraculous with the type of stroke he had.”
The Rogers family at Willow Creek senior night this year.
Willow Creek had another wonderful year, finishing 32-2 to take the Class 5A state again and ensure a spot in the Top 50 of the Extra Elite 80 High School Rankings (note: the final 2022 rankings will be published this Friday).
The graduated senior’s mother further added:
“Alannah has met most of her goals. Her high school team, Willow Canyon High, was back-to-back state champions and she is the all-time hit leader at Willow (172), as she beat her sister who held it since 2016 right before the state tournament started.”
“Alannah holds amazing stats for her career leading the team in most categories and an award was made in her name (the A1 Legacy Award) to be handed out each year after her graduation.”
Alannah finished 6th in state for high school wrestling this year!
And softball isn’t the only sport the athlete excels in.
“Alannah also started wrestling her sophomore year,” her mother continues, “as a sport she had never done before but was asked to come out for. She ended up being a state placer, taking 6th place. It was really amazing as I learned so much about that sport, and the dedication and work to succeed. Alannah surpassed any expectation with her work ethic.”
Alannah will be headed to Louisiana Tech in September and Amy adds:
“She is excited to help make a change to that program, although it was great to see the amazing season under the new leadership of Coach Josh Taylor. She is excited to compete in not only PGF, but Boulder IDT, for her last summer before college and, for a 5-foot-1 lefty second baseman, she’s earned many honors—from All-American to many district and state 1st team honors.”
2B Jr. Alannah Rogers, Willow Canyon (Surprise) AZ
Alannah was a MaxPreps All-American after leading sunrise to the Arizona Class 5A state championship as she batted .573 with 31 RBIs, 12 doubles, five triples, a .648 on-base percentage and had only four strikeouts in 91 plate appearances. She also was outstanding on defense, committing only two errors all season.
Alannah at her 2022 graduation ceremony.
On March 1 of this year, Alannah was a National High School Player of the Week runner-up after she batted nearly .800 in a tournament… here’s what we wrote about her week three months ago:
If the pitching of Marissa McCann hadn’t been so impressive, her teammate Alannah Rogers, a senior infielder signed with Louisiana Tech, could have very likely been the National Player of the Week.
Alannah put up video game numbers in the Sunrise Mountain tournament as she went 14-for-18 (.778) with a .833 on-base percentage.
Among her hits were five doubles and three triples as she knocked in eight runs and scored 15 herself. She also had five steals and, in the infield, went a perfect 11-for-11 in total chances, backing up her pitcher with stellar defense.
Below are some of the articles we’ve done on Alannah and Mark over the last few years (the newest ones first) and we will continue to root for the family as they transition to the next stage in their lives.
We’ll be cheering for Alannah on the field and Mark off of it… and hope you will too.
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
*****
Coach Mark Rogers of AZ Hotshots Released from Hospital “Earlier Than Expected” After Suffering Devastating November Stroke
Originally published on Jan. 15, 2022
Coach Mark Rogers celebrates his release from the hospital surrounded by several players on the Willow Canyon (Arizona) High School team where his daughters have competed.
In November, popular club softball coach Mark Rogers suffered a devastating stroke shortly before Thanksgiving and it impacted not just him and his family, but many in the state of Arizona where he was a coach and parent of talented softball playing daughters Lex and Alannah, who have enjoyed successful prep careers at Willow Canyon High in Surprise, Arizona.
Below you can read the story we published in December about Mark’s recovery, which–very happily–was so ahead of schedule, he was released earlier this week–three weeks before he was expected to come home.
Rogers with his daughters Lex and Alannah.
On Monday (Jan. 10), Brian Georges, the Vice President of AZ Hotshots and a coach with the organization, posted this note on a GoFundMe page organized for Rogers:
“Mark is home and starting out patient rehab to work on regaining movement and strength on the left side of his body. He spent 21 one days in ICU and about 21 days at Casa Colina, an inpatient rehab facility in California.”
“There were many miracles which occurred during this life changing event,” Georges continued. “Once Mark was transferred from ICU to inpatient care his progress was nothing short of amazing and we made it home 3 weeks earlier than the doctors predicted. Mark still has a long road to go, but we are home and together as a family. Mark is ready to take on this next challenge.”
However, it wasn’t until Thursday that Georges was able to see his fellow Hotshots coach in person and it was an emotional reunion.
“Seeing Mark this morning, for the first time, since I saw him off in an ambulance on November 21st, brought tears to my eyes and filled my heart with joy,” says Coach George.
“Mark can raise his left arm halfway up and extend his left leg outward and it’s nothing short of a miracle that he is home and recovering at a fairly rapid rate. Personally, I attribute a good part of his recovery to the awesome people that support him and his family!”
He continues:
“Thanks to so many awesome people inside and outside the softball community, Mark, (wife) Amy, Lex, and Alannah will been able to focus on his healing and recovery process, without stressing over how they are going to put food on the table. God bless such amazing people!”
*****
Coach News: Well-Liked AZ Hotshots Coach Mark Rogers Suffered “Massive Stroke” Watching Daughter Pitch at Event… GoFundMe Set Up to Cover Medical Costs
Originally published Dec. 16, 2021 on Extra Inning Softball
Mark Rogers, here with his daughter Lex, is from Ohio and is a huge Ohio State fan and calls himself the “greatest Cleveland Browns fan of all-time.”
Mark Rogers was a key figure during the COVID pandemic for the AZ Hotshots organization as he engineered everything including the virtual fastpitch platform allowing players to get exposure and even scholarships.
“That wouldn’t have happened without Mark,” says Hotshots coach and leader Brian Georges.
A former club coach with the Arizona Athletics and the AZ Bombers and a tech worker in a small business, Mark has also been a proud parent of two daughters who’ve shined in softball: Lex, who is the all-time hits leader at Willow Canyon High in Surprise, Arizona, and Alannah, a senior this year who looks to break her older sister’s record (even with missing the 2020 season due to COVID).
Also, last Spring, she was named an Extra Inning Softball 1st Team High School All-American after leading Willow Canyon High in Surprise, Arizona to the Arizona Class 5A state championship as she batted .573 with 31 RBIs, 12 doubles, five triples, a .648 on-base percentage and had only four strikeouts in 91 plate appearances. She also was outstanding on defense, committing only two errors all season.
The Rogers family (l-r): Amy, Alannah, Mark and Lex. Mom is a Michigan fan; Dad’s a Buckeye nut… interesting times in the family each Fall!
A well-respected figure in Arizona softball, Mark suffered a scary stroke the weekend before Thanksgiving this year and looks to be hospitalized for several more months.
With his wife Amy, a school teacher, by his side this whole time, the family is in a tough financial situation with both Mark and Amy not working currently.
“I can’t imagine the expenses they are incurring,” said Coach George earlier today, “and with all the rehab they’re facing, they will have unpaid portions of their medical bills.”
Extra Inning Softball supports the GoFundMe that has been established and encourages anyone in a position to do so to help make a donation for his recovery.
Here is the situation as of today according to Coach George…
The end of the Fall was insane!!! Literally INSANE.
With five minutes left to play in our grueling recruiting season, my good friend Mark Rogers suffered a sudden, massive stroke while watching his daughter, Alannah, pitch November 21 at The TCS Don Battles On tournament in Riverside, California.
Luckily, there was an EMT on hand and first responders on the scene in minutes, thanks to the staff at Ayala Park.
He had bleeding on the brain and cerebral fluid was building up so they put a stent in to drain the fluid and he had it in over two weeks before it was removed.
Mark has been in the ICU at Pomona Medical Center since November 21st. He actually got out of ICU a couple days ago—we were originally estimating he was going to be in through Christmas—and is now in a rehab center. The goal is to get him home in Arizona if all goes well in his rehab before March, hopefully by end of January or early February.
I started a GoFundMe page for the family as Mark and his wife will be out of work for months.
Alannah returned to Surprise, Arizona as this is a big year for her; she’s started wrestling again after winning state in Softball last Spring.
She is holding steady with a 4.5 GPA and has a great scholarship to attend Louisiana Tech… but it’s a long road ahead now.
Brian Georges
AZ Hotshots Gold Head Coach
Vice-President of AZ Hotshots Fastpitch
Here’s video of when Mark was recently moved out of ICU into a rehab center…
*****
Player Spotlight: 2022 Multi-Sport Athlete Alannah Rogers… Good Things Come in Small Packages, Even in Softball (& Wrestling)!
Originally published Sept. 13, 2020 on Extra Inning Softball
Alannah Rogers may be one of–if not the smallest–players on the field but the Arizona junior can play just about any position at a high level.
Alannah “A1” Rogers is a 2022 multi-sport athlete in softball and wrestling and, between the lines, plays literally every position on the field.
The left-hander’s normal positions are pitcher, second base and outfield, but she also played a lot at shortstop and is just as good on the mound, routinely shutting down some of the best teams in the West.
From a hitting perspective, Alannah has been batting in the 1-spot on the 18 Gold Team since she was 13 on a roster that included 10 players committed to schools like Stanford, Seton Hall, Furman, Manhattan, UTEP and more.
Not surprisingly, when Sept. 1’s Contact Period started where college coaches could call, text and/or write current juniors, Alannah heard from many top programs and has received multiple scholarship offers.
This summer was just another typically strong year for “A1” at the plate as she hit .568 and has become known to be one of the toughest outs in Arizona, which is how she got her other nickname from opposing teams: AOB (Always On Base).
A1 has played at the 18U level since age 13.
What makes the story about this great lefty who can play the infield at a high level, pitch with a nasty change and a bat leadoff with speed and great hitting numbers most compelling is her size.
Alannah is typically the smallest player on the field and when she is facing the larger batters, one thought that comes to mind is David and Goliath. A1’s favorite quote is “let your faith be bigger than your fears.”
If you ask the junior, her goal each game is to outplay the competitor in her position from the opposing team. A1 may be athlete who is small in stature, but she plays fearless against any competition.
Alannah began playing softball at the age of 6 and has consistently played up age levels to face the best competition. A1’s love of the game and her competitive side started at age 4, when she was the bat girl for her older sister, Alexis Roger’s softball team.
Alannah will quickly admit that her softball inspiration is her sister, who just graduated from Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina after playing there for four years.
Although Alexis is six years older, it never stopped A1 from competing with her on and off the field. At age 8, A1 was put on the roster for her sister’s team when they attended 14U nationals in California. She fearlessly went to plate facing girls six years older with the support of Alexis, who is her biggest cheerleader.
The lefty has received interest from several D1 programs, especially because of her hitting skills.
At age 13, Alannah was asked to try out for the Arizona Hotshots 18U Gold team, and made it. She has been playing for Coach Brian Georges since that time and traveled throughout the years to many top events such PGF Nationals, Zoom Into June and Colorado Sparkler to name a few.
And because of her size, talent and relentless work ethic, there is probably not a softball family or club coach that does not know or have heard of A1 in Arizona. The good news for the Southwest standout is the word is traveling fast beyond Arizona and lots of college coaches have taken notice and have interest her, seeing the value this small package will bring to a college program.
A junior at Willow Canyon High School in Surprise, Arizona, Alannah is a multi-sport athlete who excels in softball and wrestling and made the varsity softball team her freshman and sophomore year.
The talented athlete made the varsity wrestling team when Coach Shane Tamez saw her running the track and asked her to try out for wrestling. A1 was hesitant, but finally agreed and today admits she loves the intense workouts and felt the conditioning would also help her softball.
Not only is she a varsity wrestler, she finished 3rd in her first meet!
Alannah’s debut wrestling meet for Willow Canyon was the Mile High 6 state tournament at the Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott, Arizona where she placed 3rd in the tournament. Currently, she works with a weight trainer to continue the intense workout.
Interestingly, Alannah’s sister holds the softball hitting record at Willow Canyon High and A1’s goal is to not only win a state championship, but to beat her sister’s career hits mark.
She was on track to do it before the 2020 season was cut short due to COVID-19 as Willow Canyon, coached by Donnie Tizzano, looked like a favorite to also win a State Championship before the season ended early going 7-1-1 with a 5-0 record in power point games.
“On a team full of star caliber players, Alannah is the cream of the crop, the straw that stirs the drink and the best of the best,” says Coach Tizzano. “Every one of her teammates would say the same thing, but you will never hear Alannah say those words. She is a humble superstar with a legendary work ethic. She inspires others to pursue greatness by doing what she feels she needs to do in order to compete at the highest level. I believe our kids work as hard as they do in part, so they don’t disappoint A1.”
The high school coach explains that Alannah has the ability to lead without saying a word and inspires others to be the best they can be.
“Alannah teaches kids to be great by being great in everything she does. As a matter of fact, she will hate that I am saying this—she’ll appreciate it immensely but will not like it! A1 does not want the spotlight on her, she wants it on our team. On the field she is a fierce competitor with an even keel demeanor. You’ll never know if she is 0-for-4 or 4-for-4 by watching the way she carries herself.”
Click on the video below to see some of A1’s highlights from this summer:
In whatever she does, at whatever position, Tizzano marvels at how the junior utility player makes it look easy.
“A1 is a hit machine,” he continues. “She shattered the single season hits record as a freshman and even though our season ended in nine games, she is still on pace to break her sister’s all-time hits record. Although 200 career hits mark looks out of reach now, I am not betting against her.”
A1’s has had plenty of shining Willow Canyon High moments, but her coach’s favorite is when she entered the game against Pinnacle High with runners on second and third with no one out, then proceeded to strikeout the side.
Alannah says one of her favorite memories is her freshman year playing varsity when she hit for the cycle with a walk, single, double, triple, and her first career high school home run.
“In no way will I be able to describe what she means to our program,” Coach Tizzano concludes. “The joy she brings to everyone that is a part of our program is immeasurable.”
Scroll down to learn more about A1!…
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