BIO

Melissa (Merrell) Stenger was a first-team Greater Cincinnati All-Century left-centerfielder for the Northside K of C team that captured three ASA National and two USSSA World Tournaments from 1977-1985.  Missy was only 15-years old when she tasted her first national title, as she helped lead Northside to an ASA 15-Under Girls’ Youth National Championship in 1974.  Then in 1977, Northside bagged its second ASA national title in the 18-Under Girls’ Youth National Tournament in York, Pa.  Just a month later, Northside stunned the USSSA Women’s Class “B” World Tournament field with a victory in Beloit, Wi.  Northside was the first youth team to win a USSSA “B” National Tournament.  Missy was Most Valuable Player in both York and Beloit.  Then in 1979, she collected yet a third national/world tournament MVP award when Northside captured the ASA Women’s “A” National Tournament in Grand Prairie, Tx.  Missy also claimed the batting title in Grand Prairie with an .818 average.  Even more astonishing than Northside’s Women’s B World title in 1977 was their 1985 victory in the USSSA Women’s Class “A” World Tournament in Concord, Ca., where K of C upset their heavily favored Cincinnati arch-rival, Famous Recipe, on the way to the title.  Famous Recipe had been ranked the number one in the nation throughout the entire ’85 season.  Missy was named to the All-World team.  Overall she won 23 MVP or All-Tournament awards in ASA National, USSSA World or USSSA National Invitational Tournament play during her 20-year career with Northside K of C and then later with AES.