BAND OF SISTERS
Chaos’00 Wins Their Last Game Ever!!!
Coaching Staff: Evan Beatty, Lindsay Benck, Rachel Gill and John Kiene
Story of 2018 ASA Junior Olympics Cup Champions
As re-told by Assistant Coach John Kiene
I hope everyone here at one time or another gets to experience winning the last game of the season. It is an emotional release not to be believed. The summation of months of highs and lows.
The two weeks leading to the JO Cup Nationals had been filled with more lows than highs. We were mediocre at best in the Boulder IDT and got knocked out hard by a team from South Dakota. The DeMarini Tournament in Chicago things went little better and again were out and on the road early. However, the one highlight was one of our pitchers was throwing as well as we had ever seen her.
Meghan Schorman (Kentucky/Louisiana-Lafayette) gave us a chance to win every time we took the field. Manager Evan Beatty made the decision to ride her arm as far as it would take us.
All week-long Chaos 2000 had been coming from behind in game after game. Megan threw us past what many considered the strongest team in the tournament, The Texas Scrap Yard Dawgs
The day before we came from behind to tie the game in the fifth inning, then went to ITB in the eighth. We had our best runner and lead-off hitter starting on 2b. Our #2 hitter, Micah Arps (SIU-Edwardsville) bunted her over. Now we had 3, 4 & 5 coming to the plate. Nobody wanted to pitch to our #3 hitter (Makayla Hurst, Louisville) who had been hot all week. They walked her intentionally. I remember telling 4 & 5 that they would likely walk #4 (Liv Ward, Kentucky/Lipscomb) to get the force out at the plate, which they did. I told #5, Meghan that a walk ends it so look for a fat pitch to try to get ahead. As she walked by Evan said the same thing. Sure enough, first pitch she got one down the pipe and drove it into right center to get the walk off.
On Friday we got to the finals of our bracket and lost to Texas Glory (3-1)
Saturday morning arrived with a rematch looming with the Glory. Chaos was fortunate that with the format the game was winner take all to advance to the championship game against the winner of the other bracket.
Meghan started the game but finally ran out of gas, giving up three runs and we had to go to Emma Nichols in the second inning. Emma held service and gave us the chance to rally from behind.
We carried a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh. With two outs they had a runners on first and second and their four hitter up. She drove a ball deep to right. We all thought we saw our dream about to die but our right fielder, Rylea Smith got back to the fence as we held our breath. Then we saw her take a step in and make the game winning catch. There was an intense moment of celebration, but only a moment. Evan along with coaches Rachel Gill and Lindsey Benck quickly reminded the team that they had to calm down and get ready to play in a game in which they had never participated, a National Championship.
We were about to play the Ohio Hawks who had won the other bracket. We finally broke through in the fifth with a pair of runs, the only runs scored in the championship game. A heroic effort by Emma, who strung together twelve consecutive scoreless innings. The game ended with a strikeout and the picture above it the beginning of the celebration.
A moment of incredible relieve and the start of a celebration that would last into the wee hours of the morning
The picture above is our 2b Lillie Knesel (Dayton) and C Chelsy Pena (SEMO) mob Emma Nichols after the final out on a strike out.
To this day these girls are family and it’s always special when they get together. Personally, since that time nothing has brought me greater pleasure then traveling to see them play college ball. Each meeting begins with a warm hug and for a moment we are carried back to that day and that Band of Sisters.
The Band of Sisters
Micah Arps, SIU-Edwardsville; Adriana Barlow, Miami of Ohio; Marissa Davis-Southeast Missouri; Gabi Deters, Kentucky/Missouri; Kelsey Etling, St. Louis U.; Makayla Hurst, Utah/Louisville; Lillie Knesel, University of Dayton; Kylie Lane, SIU-Edwardsville; Kelsey Lenox, South Dakota State; Maddie Michalski, Wichita State/Maryville University; Emma Nichols, Missouri; Chelsey Pena, Southeast Missouri; Carlie Sanders, Boston College; Meghan Schorman, Kentucky/Louisiana Lafayette; Rylea Smith, Kentucky; Callie Unrein, Truman State; Keeler VanBreusegen, Bradley; Olivia Ward, Kentucky/Lipscomb.
Chaos ‘2000, How Did They Do It?
There is always something unique about Championship Teams, no matter the sport. This team was actually the combination of two teams. The existing ‘2000 team (10 players) coached by Evan Beatty and the players from the ’99 team (8 players) coached by Rachel Gill and Lindsey Benck) that were young enough to play one more season of 18U softball. A key to the success was getting past the “us/them” notion and quickly became “we.” This allowed this team to grow close and function at a very high level without petty jealousies and selfishness. The incredible depth that came from having eighteen players on the roster gave the team a wide range of skills, the ability to overcome injuries and allowed situational substitutions that only made the team stronger.
A Special Atmosphere
Something that always struck me as strange is that the crowd can be very disappointing at the championship game of national tournaments and between hockey and softball I have seen more than two dozen. It seems after all that effort to get there you feel the stands should be full. Usually all that remains are parents, family and organizers to watch.
This was not the case on July 28th, 2018. Since the Chaos 18U was playing at home along with the 14 and 16U teams who also had reached the finals. Word spread that all three were in the finals. Soon Chaos players in the other ages filled the stands. Red, white, and blue uniforms were everywhere giving the team a great, lively home field advantage. When that last out was secured they flooded the field and helped celebrate and share in the moment. Their presence added to the special atmosphere that afternoon in Chesterfield.
Recalling It Game By Game
St. Louis Chaos coach Evan Beatty
“I have been with ASA softball for 23 years and ASA softball means everything for me and it’s just as important for me that we get the best teams in the same complex, at the same time playing each other and that’s what this is all about. Great coaches, great teams, and that’s what we wanted to be part of.”
Day 1, 7-23-2018 Williamsburg Starz, Monday, 7-23, 10:30am
Williamsburg Starz Seventh Inning Rally forces Chaos to Settle for Tie
The Chaos opened their quest for the Junior Olympic Cup with a disappointing 2-2 tie. Marissa Davis, after tossing six shutout innings saw her chance for a win slip away in the top of the seventh. The fateful inning began with a single and double. Chaos allowed the first run on a fielder’s choice and was within an out of escaping with the win but throwing error allowed the tying run to score before Davis could get that final out with a strike out. In going the distance Davis allowed a single earned run on four hits, four walks while striking out two. Chaos committed three errors and mustered only three hits.
Chaos scored early as Olivia Ward drove home Callie Unrein with a single through the hole to left. Unrein had reached on a walk.
Chaos added to the lead with a run in the fourth. Ward got her second hit, a two-out triple on a line drive to right. Ward then scored on another line drive to right by Emma Nichols.
The Starz were aided by playing errorless defense.
Tampa Mustangs Monday, July 23, 12:30PM CDT
St Louis Chaos Offense Comes to Life, Blows Out Tampa Mustangs with Big First Inning
The struggling Chaos offense produced a 7 run first inning then rolled to an 8-1 win over the Tampa Mustangs. Emma Nichols allowed 5 hits, while striking out five to go with 0 walks and no earned runs over seven innings to record the victory.
The Mustangs lone tally came in the second as Jodi Handler scored on an error by Nichols in the top of the second.
The Chaos offense produced 10 hits. The big first inning was sparked by a leadoff walk to Lillie Knesel followed by a bunt single by Olivia Ward. Chaos got on the board with a single to left by Carlie Sanders, scoring Knesel. After Makayla Hurst walked, Nichols helped her own cause with a 2 run double to deep center. Chelsy Pena added two more with a hard-hit single to center field. The inning’s final two rounds came on a two out line drive single by Kylie Lane to rightfield.
Chaos added a final run in the sixth. Kylie Lane bunted her way on, advance to third with a stolen base and a fielder’s choice. Lane then scored on a sacrifice fly by Olivia Ward.
Texas Storm, Tuesday, July 24, 5:00PM CDT
St Louis Chaos Comes from Behind to Defeat Texas Storm, 6-2
The Storm opening the scoring in the 3rd with a single past Adriana Barlow by Lela Dempsey. Dempsey then scored on a line drive double by Lindsey Liestad.
Chaos took a lead it would not surrender in the bottom of the 4th on a two-run homer by Makayla Hurst that easily cleared the leftfield fence. The homer proved to be the game winning hit. Olivia Ward, Carlie Sanders, followed with singles before Emma Nichols singled with a line drive to right to bring home Ward. Adriana Barlow drove in the final run with a single to left.
Chaos added the final two runs in the fifth. Hurst singled to center. Callie Unrein entered to run for Hurst. Unrein then scored on a double by Nichols. Keeler Van Breusegen scored the final Chaos while running for Nichols on a wild pitch.
The Storm added a run of their own in the 6th. Abriana Garcia reached on a line drive to left. Garcia after reaching third on an infield hit by Laurel McKelvey to the third base side.
The starter Meghan Schorman went three innings, allowing 1 earned run, 1 hit, with three strike outs, no walks, 1 hit batsman.
Marissa Davis closed out the final four innings allowing a single run on six hits, 2 Strike outs, 0 walks and a pair of hit batsmen.
For the game Chaos committed 3 errors while on offense scored their 6 runs on 8 hits while striking out twice and drawing a walk.
Williamsburg Starz, Wednesday, July 25, 8:30AM CDT
Tie Not an Option as Chaos Uses ITB for 9th Inning Walk-off on Schorman’s Double in Rematch with Williamsburg Starz
After having tied each other in pool play, the Starz and Chaos required 9 innings to arrive at winner. The Starz struck for 3 runs in the top of the first against Emma Nichols, taking advantage of four consecutive singles by Madison Rountree, Nia Green, Mandy Munday and Abby Weaver, all with two outs. Meghan entered and got the final out of the inning.
Chaos battled back with 3 of their own in the bottom of the 4th. Rylea Smith opened the inning with single to left center and moved up to second on a ground out. Olivia Ward got Chaos on the board with a single on a line drive past 3rd base, driving Smith home. Meghan Schorman single to left and moved up to second as a throw went to 3rd but failing to get Ward. Kelsey Lenox tied the game with two outs on a flyball to right that fell in for a single.
That was all the scoring till the 8th as the teams traded runs in ITB play. Sydney Jacobsen was placed on 2nd Base and moved up to 3rd on an infield out by Madison Rountree and scored on a bunt single by Nia Green to put the Starz ahead. Kylie Lane, in as the runner to start the bottom of the 8th, scored on a sac fly by Lillie Knesel, after being bunted over to 3rd, by Adrianna Barlow. Once again the game was tied, and another inning was required.
Chaos kept the Starz off the board, requiring a single run to win it. Micah Arps was now on 2nd base and bunted over by Rylea Smith. The Starz opted to intentionally walk the next two batters, Makayla Hurst and Olivia Ward to create the force out at home. However, the strategy proved a failure as Meghan Schorman drove a first pitch line drive into the right center gap to end the game.
On the day Schorman picked up the win, allowing only one run over eight and one third innings along with 10 strikeouts, 1 walk and 3 hits. On offense Schorman was 2 for 4, including the game winning hit.
St. Louis Chaos coach Evan Beatty
“I expect a lot out of this team. I expect really good things this week and the goal for this team is to get to Saturday.” Day 3, 7-27-2018
Lenox’s Walk-Off Picture-Perfect Ending Gives Chaos Victory Over Scrapyard International
Chaos faced what many considered the tournament favorite, the Scrapyard Dawgs of Houston Texas. Chaos struck quickly for a run in the first. Lillie Knesel led off with a single and Rylea Smith drew a walk. Knesel moved up to third on a single to center by Makayla Hunt and scored on Olivia Wards sacrifice fly.
The Dawgs responded with a pair of runs in the second. A single by Taylor Pleasants and a double to left by Alicia DeLeon tied the game. They then took the lead with a single to left by Adrianna Chavarria.
They picked up an additional run in the 3rd. The Dawgs loaded the bases with singles by Alayis Seneca, CJ Landrum and Aliyah Pritchett. A run was scored with a bases loaded walk to Taylor Pleasants. With that Emma Nichols was lifted for Meghan Schorman at pitcher.
The game then settled into a string of scoreless innings. It appeared that Scrapyard Dawgs were on their way to the win as they stop but an out away from victory. Then Chaos reached down and found a way. Rylea Smith stroked a two out single to center and Makayla Hurst on a 3-2 pitch drew key clutch walk to keep hopes alive. Callie Unrein entered to run for Hurst. Kelsey Lenox then drove a 1-1 pitch for a line drive to the center field fence for the game winning double.
For the second game in a row, Chaos had recorded a walk-off win.
Meghan Schorman had again thrown scoreless ball in relief, having allowed only run in the previous 13 innings.
Pennsylvania Chaos Thursday, July 26, 3:00PM CDT
Red Hot Chaos, Schorman Overwhelm PA. Chaos to Remain in Winner’s Brackett
Coming off back-to-back wins Chaos showed no sign of giving up the momentum. Playing their namesake team from the Keystone State, they scored early and often to claim a run-rule victory.
No less a factor was the strong arm of Meghan Schorman who continued her scoreless inning streak, giving up only 4 hits while striking out 4 with 0 walks in the shut out.
St. Lous Chaos scored in every inning. Lillie opened the bottom first with a lead-off single on a line drive past the shortstop. Micah Arps and Rylea then drew walks to load the bases. Knesel then scored on a hard-hit ground ball to the shortstop by Olivia Ward.
Two runs were added in the bottom of the 2nd. Carlie Sanders opened the frame with a hard-hit ground ball triple to left field. Lillie Knesel again reach base, this time on a walk. Chelsy Pena replaces Micah Arps and immediately triples on a long fly to centerfield, driving in Sanders and Knesel. Arps reenters and replaces Pena at thirdbase and scores on a wild pitch for a 5-0 lead.
Callie Unrein drove Carlie Sanders home in the 3rd on a line drive to deep centerfield. Sanders had reached on a grounder to leftfield.
The St. Louis team put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fourth, scoring three more times for an 8-0 lead. Smith and Makayla Hurst single. Both move up a base on the throw to 3rd which was too late to get Smith. Smith then scored on a bunt single by Ward. Keeler VanBreusegen running for Hurst scored on Schorman’s bloop single to right while Ward moves up to third. Ward then scored Ward then scored on Kelsey Lenox’s grounder through the shortstop to close out the scoring on the day.
Gold Coast Hurricanes Friday, July 27, 1:00PM CDT
Chaos Moves a Step Closer With Win Over Gold Coast Hurricanes
Chaos moved a step closer to the JO Cup Championship with a 5-2 victory over Florida’s Gold Coast Hurricanes. Once again, the club was forced to rally from an early deficit. The ‘Canes’ struck first with a run in the first. Kim Harper laid down a successful bunt single to open the game. Marley Felder then bunted her on to second on the sacrifice. Harper would then score on a ground single to left and a 1-0 lead.
Chaos would tie the game in the second. The girls from St. Louis would take the lead for good with 2 runs in the third. Lillie Knesel would single on a line drive to center to start the Chaos 3rd. Knesel would advance on a bunt single by Micah Arps. An out later Knesel would score on Makayla Hurst’s line drive past the second baseman.
The girls from St. Louis would take the lead with a 2-run 4th inning.
Hurricanes answered in the top of the 4th with another run. Katherine Rodriguez led off a triple to the right field fence. Rodriguez would then score on Page Pfent’s flyball single to left.
The determined Chaos squad took the lead for good in the bottom of the 4th. Chelsy Pena led off with a double to left. Courtesy runner Kylie Lane and scored on Carlie Sanders’ line drive double to center. After being bunted over to 3rd by Lillie Knesel, Sanders scored on a line drive single to center by pinch hitter Emma Nichols.
Chaos would add single tallies in the 5th and 6th. Meghan Schorman lined a 2 out double to left. Chelsy Pena followed with another line double to left, scoring pinch runner Keeler VanBreusegen.
In the 6th, they scored the final run of the game as Micah Arps, running for Emma Nichols scores on an error on a ground ball hit by Makayla Arps.
Meghan Schorman would pick up the complete game victory, allowing 7 hits, 2 earned runs and zero walks while striking out 4.
The offense rapped out 10 hits including 5 doubles.
The Chaos would now move on to meet the Texas Glory in the winner’s bracket final.
Rachel’s Speech
Let’s take a second to remember why you are here and how hard you have worked to get here…
Up to five years of off-season workouts three times a week. Finishing laying flat on your back just to hear on of us say that was just the warmup.
The five hundred plus hours of tee work.
The massive amount of glove work. Saturday and Sunday eight am practices.
Having to tell friends and family, “I can’t, I have softball.”
Black eyes, pulled muscles, surgeries, icing, foam rolling.
The miles driven, Sacrificed friendships, Number of burpees, Dynamic warmup, Those
fxxxxxg ladders, And all for What?...for the relationships you have developed and will cherish forever…The pride you when you walk into a ballpark wearing that name on your chest…some look at you with pure jealousy and others with respect…For those college scholarships that all of you have earned…And one more thing…the opportunity to walk away with a national championship in your hometown.
All those moments have prepared each and every one of you for this moment.
This is not a next time, only this time. Let’s take a second to commit to every moment we have left together as a team. That means we work together as a team, we pick each other up, we give each other the benefit of the doubt. As we move forward we are nothing but teammates, We win together and we celebrate together, we hustle together, we struggle together. Your struggle is my struggle, your success is my success.
If we can commit to each other and this game from here forward, we will walk out of this park with absolutely no regrets…and we all know what that means.
Dear Lord,
First thank you for the opportunities you have blessed us thus far in our lives and for the sacrifices you have made for all.
As we begin our final step in our pursuit of a national championship together, give us the strength to put all differences aside and compete as one, manage our emotions, and give100% effort at all times. Help us trust that we are prepared and have worked hard enough to dominate this moment and to tackle anything that tries to get in our way. Continue to guide pir minds to focus on what matters and not get distracted. More than anything, help us stay true to ourselves and enjoy these last moments that we have together. In your name we pray, amen.
Now let’s go get ourselves a national championship!
Texas Glory Friday, July 27, 5:00PM CDT
TX Glory-Adkins Uses Early Lead to Hand St. Louis Chaos its First Loss
On Friday evening Chaos prepared to meet the other undefeated team in their bracket, the Texas Glory. Through the years the two teams had faced each other on numerous occasions and after many classic matchups each had a healthy respect for one another. Each team would score in the second.
The Glory struck first. Meghan Schorman hit the first batter she faced, Riley Cantrell, putting the leadoff batter on. Schorman then struck out Amy Jensen for the first out. However Megan Lesko doubled past Rylea Smith, plating Riley Cantrell. Alexis Perry then popped out to 2nd baseman Lillie Knesel for the 2nd out. Then Avery Zeigler drove in the second run with a fly ball single to center scoring Lesko.
In the bottom of the second closed the gap with a single run. Carlie Sander’s opened the frame with a single to right and scored on Emma Nichols’ line drive double past the centerfielder.
There was no scoring by either team until the top of the seventh. Glory’s Amy Jensen drives a one out double to the centerfield fence. Jensen scores on a high infield fly that eludes catcher Chelsy Pena after landing in fair territory down the along the first base line.
Chaos could mount only a single in the seventh as Texas Glory claims the victory.
Under the tournament format, the two teams would meet again the next morning in a winner take all match.
Chaos could produce three hits. Meghan Schorman would allow only five hits and three runs in the game. , to go with a walk and four strikeouts.
Texas Glory Coach: Keith Allen
“We love playing USA Softball. This where we want to be, and this is our choice. We love being out here with these teams. They (USA) run a great tournament, and there’s no place you would rather be than right here, right now. They have fought hard; we got a lot of seniors, and this is their last go around. We feel pretty good, we earned a chance to take a shot at them again. That’s all we can ask for so we’re going to go out there and see if we can get it done.” Day 5, prior to bracket final game,
St. Louis Chaos coach Evan Beatty
“The goal for this team is to get to Saturday…and win this and that is what we are going to try to do.” Day 5 prior to semifinal game. Day 5 prior to bracket final game.
Texas Glory Saturday, July 28, 10:00AM CDT
St Louis Chaos Rebounds With Yet Another Late Rally, Downing Texas Glory and Move on to Championship Game
Chaos opened the scoring in the 2nd as Carlie Sanders was hit by a pitch and Emma Nichols drawing a walk. With those runners at 2nd and 3rd, Kelsey Lenox lines a double into center to score the pair.
The Glory would add two runs in the in the 2nd and another in the 4th. Mikayla Kowalik opened the 3rd with a bunt single and would score on Billie McFayden’s double. McFayden would reach 3rd on a wild pitch and then score on fielder’s choice. The tally in the 4th came of a single by Alexis Perry who moved over to third via a sacrifice bunt and a fielder’s choice and scored on a infield hit by Ashleigh Sqambelluri.
As the Chaos came to the plate in the top of the seventh, it looked like Déjà vu all over again. They had once again blown an early lead and now trailed 4-3. Things looked even worse as the first batter failed to reach first base. Then the early morning sun seemed to shine a little brighter as Olivia Ward stroked a single up the middle into centerfield. But the strikeout that followed put Texas Glory one out away from the championship game. Once again fortune smiled on the never-say-die Chaos. Ward now on 2nd after stealing the base sets the stage for Chelsy Pena pinch hitting for Micah Arps. Pena drove a hot grounder past the shortstop into leftfield allowing Ward to score from second to tie the game. On the throw home Pena moved up to 2nd. Arps now reentered to run for Pena. Rylea Smith lofts a ball to shallow right that score Arps. Finally, Makayla Hurst rifled a double down the right field line allowing Smith to score the insurance run.
However, no one expected Texas Glory to go down easy. Mikayla Kowalik opens the inning with single on a ground ball past shortstop. After a flyball to center, Billie McFadyen draws a walk to bring the winning run to the plate. A fielder’s choice at 2nd brought the second out.
The Glory was now down to their last out and sending their number 4 hitter, Riley Cantrell to the plate. The fate of the game came down to swing at a 2-1 pitch. She drove the ball to deep right. With half the crowd either holding their breath or closing their eyes, Rylea Smith with her back to fence hauled in the drive for the final out.
As the Chaos gathered to celebrate there was restraint, they all knew they stood still one game away from every ball player’s dream. To win the last game of the season, to win the national championship.
Wendell Hutchison, Coach Ohio Hawks
“This group has been together a long time. We have set goals early, from our fall season. We knew where we were going to go, knew this was the place we were going to be, and the girls went out and made it happen. We expected to be here and that’s what makes it so special. They knew at the end of the day; at the end of the season they would be here playing for the championship and it’s just awesome.” Day 5, prior to the Championship Game.
St. Louis Chaos coach Evan Beatty
“It is such an honor to have 3 teams in the final (14U, 16U & 18U). It’s a credit to all the coaches, all the girls, all the parents and the organization. It’s just incredible.” Day 5, 7-27-2018 Prior to Championship Game
Ohio Hawks Saturday, July 28, 12:00PM CDT
St Louis Chaos Claims JO Cup As Emma Nichols Shuts Out Ohio Hawks
Emma Nichols weaved a masterful 3 hit shut out that included 5 walks, running her string of scoreless innings to 12. The lefty hurler also had the game winning hit, a line drive double to the rightfield fence. Among her 5 strike outs was the game’s final out on a foul tip caught by Chelsy Pena.
The game was a string of scoreless innings and missed opportunities. Finally the Chaos broke through in the top of the sixth with yet another late rally. Makayla Hurst started the inning off with a walk. Kylie Lane came off the bench to run for her. Lane was then bunted over to 2nd by Carlie Sanders. Then Nichols provided her big blow, driving Lane home for what would prove to be the winning run. Keeler Van Breusegan then entered the game to run for Nichols. Kelsey then drove VanBreusegen home with a line drive double off the leftfield fence the for the insurance run.
With the end in sight Nichols retired 6 of the next 7 batters, which included a pair of strikeouts.
The Chaos offense rapped out 7 hits including 3 doubles to go with 3 walks.
Go Crazy, Chaos Nation, Go Crazy!!!
“We are the Champions, My Friend”
