TEAM SPOTLIGHT: ACES FASTPITCH CLUB
Head Coach: Ryan Taylor
Twitter: @Aces_SoftballKC
Outlook: The Aces play a rugged schedule against many of the top teams in the country, they went 88-24 last summer and finished tied for 9th place at the 18U Alliance Nationals. They beat Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier, Tennessee Mojo-Danley/Fisher, Iowa Premier National, Corona Angels-Tyson and Wichita Mustangs-Griggs in the fall. They have already qualified for AFCS 3 this summer. The pitching staff is versatile and one of the deepest the program has had. They have power up and down the lineup and multiple middle-of-the-lineup hitters. The defense has versatile athletes that offer a lot of different looks.
ROSTER:
- Olivia Branstetter (2023, 3B, South Alabama, a lock down third baseman with excellent feet. She has MIF range and a very strong arm. She has middle-of-the-lineup power and average)
- Malia Thoms (2023, MIF/OF/UT, Nebraska, a power bat in the lineup and hits for average)
- Emmerson Cope (2023, RHP/1B, Nebraska, a power pitcher/hitter. She throws in the mid-60s with the ability to keep hitters off balance. She’s a high average hitter with next level power and 80-mph plus exit velo)
- Lexi McDaniel (2025, MIF, uncommitted, one of the best bats in the country. A middle-of-the-lineup hitter with average and power. Defensively, very versatile and can play all over the infield)
- Allyssa Parker (2025, RHP/SS/3B/UT, uncommitted, a true SS with excellent range and arm strength. In addition, an elite pitcher with upper 60s velo and great command on her pitches. A game-changing bat that hits in the middle of the order)
- Lydia Coulson (2024, RHP, Central Florida, an elite level pitcher with excellent spin and pitch deception)
- Beth Damon (2024, C/3B/1B, Central Florida, a big bat with great hands behind the plate)
- Nessa McMillen (2024, C/OF/UT/IF, Nebraska, she has power and speed from the leadoff spot. A true utility player that can catch and play IF/OF)
- Sophie Johnson (2023, C, Wichita State, an elite catcher with a plus overhand arm)
- Sid Forrester (2025, 1B/OF, uncommitted, a versatile athlete with a power bat)
- Kierra Goos (2023, RHP/1B, South Dakota State, a big piece to the 16U team with solid spin and location)
- Paityn Engemann (2023, RHP/1B, Central Arkansas, a pitcher/corner with a great bat)
- Halle Studer (2024, MIF/OF, Missouri State, a spark plug in the middle of the field)
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
