SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – In Morrisville, not much has changed for the high school softball program. The uniforms no longer show a hint of red like they did in the past, but rather tied into a bow worn in the Lady Panthers’ hair. Just one of the many ways the past of the Marion C. Early softball team is not forgotten. This softball team plays on tradition. “It’s something you get to carry on for Marion C. Early softball, and it’s something you get to share with others,” said Morrisville junior and right fielder Miya Bess.
“I’m very grateful that I get to play on this team,” said Morrisville junior and first baseman Addie Bess. The Bess sisters are twins, but the family ties to the Marion C. Early softball expand well beyond siblings.
“Going to state is always an experience you’re going to remember and I fortunately got to experience that three times,” said Heather, mother of Addie and Maya as well as a former Lady Panther (’90-’94). “I went my freshman year, my junior year and my senior year.”
Heather’s junior year was one for the record books as she and her team brought home the state championship trophy. “She tells us that it was really fun being there,” Miya said. “It’s just an opportunity that you’re not going to forget, so just hearing it from her, that’s like another cool thing to witness and be a part of.”
Heather is not the only Lady Panther turned mom who took the trip to state.
“Bus rides to the Final Four, that was our favorite memory,” said Brandy Blehm, who played from 1996-2000, and is the mom to senior catcher Taylor Blehm.
“And seeing our girls go to state last year, I mean, it was the best thing ever,” said Amber Letterman (’94-’98), mother to Morrisville junior shortstop Macie Letterman.
Out on the diamond are girls looking to make another Final Four trip, just like their moms. “Our defense, it’s getting there, so we are hoping to get over that hump,” said Taylor Blehm. “Our bats are turning on right now. So we are hoping to get over that hump again.”
But when looking up the middle at shortstop, the pitching circle, center field, right field, and first base, there’s an even bigger family dynamic: They are all cousins.
“It’s so fun,” said Macie Letterman. “I love playing with all of my best friends, even the people who aren’t my family are my best friends. We are all basically just family.”
“They’re all actually blood related, but I’m not,” Taylor said. “They have always been like my family. They are like my sisters.” Whether it’s the team colors, tradition or by blood, not much has changed in Morrisville.
