07/17/2026
From Head Coach Jenelle Louis…
Seven years ago, I loaded Kendall into the car and drove out to Lake St. Louis for a select softball tryout.
I had absolutely NO IDEA that one afternoon would completely change my life.
Kendall didn't make that team.
Instead, after the tryout, the coach looked at me and said, "I coach a 2010 team, and since Kendall is a 2011, why don't you just start your own team?"
Those few words changed everything.
From that moment, Missouri Fury 2011-Louis was born.
We proudly represented the Fury organization for several years before eventually outgrowing it. We then became Missouri Bombers 2011-Louis, where our team truly began to soar. We learned the game at a deeper level, our skills improved dramatically, and we learned what it really meant to compete.
Then, two years ago, we took another leap and became Select Fastpitch 2011-Louis.
Last year was something I'll never forget. We won every tournament we entered and finished the season as USSSA National Champions.
This year, we decided to challenge ourselves even more by moving up to compete against some of the best teams in the country.
And today...
We finished that journey as Triple Crown Gold National Champions.
What an unbelievable ride.
Over these seven years, these incredible young ladies have taught me far more than I could have ever taught them.
They taught me patience.
They taught me that growth doesn't happen overnight.
They taught me resilience after heartbreaking losses and humility after unforgettable wins.
They taught me to celebrate the little victories, to never stop believing in someone who's struggling, and that confidence can completely change a young athlete's life.
They reminded me that laughter is just as important as hard work. We laughed until we cried more times than I can count.
Most importantly, they reminded me why I fell in love with coaching in the first place.
I was also incredibly fortunate to spend two amazing years coaching alongside my wife, Sarah Kristin. Those years are memories I'll cherish forever. When she earned a promotion at work, her schedule no longer allowed her to continue coaching, and that's when Kyle McClellan and John Haug stepped in.
For the past four years, these guys have been the other 2/3 of this team. Their knowledge of the game is something special, and together we built a coaching staff that I'm incredibly proud of.
We've shared championships, long weekends on the road, countless practices, celebrations, tears of laughter, tears of joy, and yes... even a few tears of heartbreak.
But more than anything, we've had the privilege of being a small part of each player's journey.
From day one, I've tried to teach these girls the game the best way I know how.
I wanted them to love softball with everything they had.
I wanted them to respect the game, respect their opponents, and respect the teammates standing beside them.
I wanted them to understand that being a great teammate will always be more important than being a great player.
Character matters.
Effort matters.
Loyalty matters.
Love for one another matters.
As I sit here writing this with tears in my eyes, I realize this is the final chapter of the Missouri Fury-Louis, Missouri Bombers-Louis, and Select Fastpitch-Louis era.
As of today, I have coached my last game as a select softball head coach.
And somehow, this story ended in the most fitting way imaginable...
Triple Crown Gold National Champions.
To every player who has ever worn one of my jerseys...
Thank you.
Thank you for trusting me.
Thank you for letting me be part of your journey.
Thank you for every practice, every game, every inside joke, every celebration, every lesson, every hug after a tough loss, and even a dogpile after a big win.
I hope that years from now, when you're playing high school softball—or, if you're fortunate enough, college softball—you'll remember a few of the lessons we learned together.
More than anything, I hope you'll carry your love for this game with you and pay it forward in whatever you do.
Every single one of you has left a mark on my life.
Each of you holds a piece of my heart that you'll have forever.
Thank you for the most incredible seven years.
I'll miss every single one of you.
