This weekend’s King of the Hill Showcase in Illinois will feature 32 top teams including two excellent squads as part of the St. Louis Esprit organization coached by Jim Huecker.

FloSoftball will be streaming the 18U games in St. Charles and, as part of our coverage of the King of the Hill we look at Coach Huecker’s teams at both the 18U and 16U divisions.

​To make sure you see all the 18U games streamed live this weekend at King of the Hill, Join Now!

Although, Some key players will be unable to attend this weekend’s event due to the Missouri High School season being in full swing, several notable top recruits will be key contributors at the King of the Hill.

“Pitching will be the key,” says Coach Huecker, “and Savanna Copeland, a 2017 Florida State commit, will anchor the 18U squad.”



Pictured: Lauren Boyd, a top 2020 pitcher, already has offers. She'll pitch this weekend for the Esprit 16U team.

The coach adds, “Lauren Boyd, a 2020 top recruit who has garnered the attention of many of the top programs in the country, will manage the circle for the 16U team.”

Here’s more on this top program from the Midwest...

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FloSoftball.com: When did the team/program start?
Jim Huecker: 1982

FS.com: Where do your athletes come from (all locally, some out of state?)

JH: Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Kansas.

FS.com: What was the purpose of creating the team (showcase players, win titles, develop skills, etc.)?

JH: It was to develop players’ skills, surround them in a competitive learning environment that is process and fundamentals driven, allow them to compete at the highest travel ball level available, and prepare each player for the next pitch, the next inning and the next challenge.

FS.com: What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?

JH: I would say going undefeated in the 2014 fall campaign and recording wins over Beverly Bandits Conroy 1-0, their only loss in the fall and against Alexis Holloway the FloSoftball No. 1 ranked player in the 2017 class, as well as against the Corona Angels Tyson, Illinois Chill (Quinn), Louisville Sluggers (Dobina) and KC Peppers. We also made four straight national title game appearances 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and Top 10 finishes in Boulder and Longmont in the many years we attended.

FS.com: What in your opinion makes the organization unique?
JH: We are process driven. It's very important to us to look at how we get there and how we impact our players and teammates. We don't insult the game. We strive to achieve excellence through hard work, determination and team work.

FS.com: What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
JH: I started in baseball and then played fastpitch a short time. I started coaching my daughters and now here we are… I love the game!

FS.com: How many teams are there in the organization overall?

JH: 17.

FS.com: Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team's history?
JH: I would say it was committing or signing 25 D1 kids in one calendar year.

FS.com: What is your primary focus or goal with your teams?
JH: To compete and be successful at the highest level through detailed skilled-based training with our athletes.

FS.com: What do you think are the strengths of the team?
JH: Although we offer talent in all aspects of the game, I believe our pitching and speed help make us dangerous!

FS.com: What do you think are the strengths of the team?
JH: Although we offer talent in all aspects of the game, I believe our pitching and speed help make us dangerous!

FS.com: If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
JH: There are some great club programs out there. I don't know if it separates us, but what defines us is, as in life, we stress that the process drives the results. You get out what you put in and work harder today then you did yesterday.

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Pictured: Savanna Copeland (right), a pitcher for Esprit 18U team, poses with Florida State coach Lonni Alameda.

Esprit 18U Team:

OF/UT Kiersten Otte (2016, Wichita State)
2B/3B Brittani Reid (2016, Kansas)
OF/IF Shayna Beyers (2016, Tulsa)
P/IF Savanna Copeland (2017, Florida State)
P/OF/1B Erin Griesbauer (2016, Missouri State)
C/3B Kirsten Preston (2016, Central Missouri)
OF Abby George (2017, Missouri)
1B Ashley Ellis (2016, Southeast Missouri State)
OF/UT Taylor Kirby (2016, Missouri)
P/3B Kimie Fozzard (2016, McNeese State)
SS/UT Jenny Jansen (2017, Southern Illinois Carbondale)
C/UT Alyssa Chavez (2017, uncommitted)
OF Claudia Gallo (2016, Southeast Missouri State)
3B/1B/OF Karli Allen (2016, Northwest Missouri State)
SS/3B/UT Sophie Taylor (2016, Northern Colorado)
3B Alaina Brand (2016, Missouri-St. Louis)

Esprit 16U Team:

P Lauren Boyd (2020, Union High School)
3B Shae McSpadden (2018, Howell Central)
P Jordan Garella (2017, Edwardsville)
SS/2B Emma Lewis (2018, Edwardsville)
OF/1B Lauren Baer (2018, Highland)
SS Anna Burke (2018, Edwardsville)
2B/OF Audrey Hermann (2018, St. Dominic)
OF/UT Sara Jessie (2018, Fort Zumwalt West)
C/UT Sam Jessie (2019, Fort Zumwalt West)
P/OF Sara Hoffman (2018, Festus)
3B/OF Jade Gates (2017, Incarnate Word)
C/IF Sydney Dana (2018, Marquette)
P/OF Riley Inglis (2019, Eureka)
1B Ashley Perone (2018, Rockwood Summitt)
3B Riley Luetkenhaus (2018, St. Dominic)
1B Molly Darner (2017, Northwest)
P Sabrina Otzenberger (2018, Northwest)
CF Jordan Owens (2019, Northwest)
LF Megan Gorniak (2018, Edwardsville)
1B Hannah Miener (2017, Highland)