When the Wrigley family gets together at dinner, there’s one topic that’s likely to come up: softball.

And don’t be surprised if a good-natured argument ensues about who is—or was—the best when it came to playing and/or coaching… in this family’s case, we’ll give a bit of leeway to Dad who was not a softball player, but a very good baseball player in his own time and is now a successful coach in both diamond sports.

The family consists of Jase, the dad; Erin, the mom; oldest daughter Ryan (who plays basketball) and identical twins Katie and Megan Wrigley.

The youngest sisters, both of whom made the Line Drive Softball Hot 100 which wraps up later today, are pitchers for the talented Atlanta Vipers Gold 09 team coached by Kenneth Crenshaw.

The coach from the Peach State saws it’s definitely a case of “two is better than one” when it comes to rolling out the two sisters onto the field, especially when it comes to having the quality pitching depth thanks to the twins.

“They are both known for their exceptional pitching abilities,” Coach Ken explains, “as well as their versatility across multiple positions and their determination to follow in the footsteps of their accomplished parents.

Here’s an individual look at the quartet of productive softball standouts in the Wrigley family starting with the twins and then spotlighting mom and dad…

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Katie: Strikeout Machine & Strong Hitting Leadoff

Katie is a versatile athlete able to play any position on the field exceptionally well.  Her ability to pitch with mid-60s velocity, coupled with devastating movement makes her a formidable force on the mound.

“Katie’s impressive speed and power enable her to thrive both as a leadoff hitter and a cleanup batter, truly epitomizing a game-changing player,” her Vipers coach continues. “She can hit for power to all parts of the field and has the ability at any time to go deep against any pitcher she faces.”

During her eighth-grade school year at Pace Academy, a college prep school in Atlanta, Ga., Katie played a pivotal role in leading her team to a championship victory.

Her remarkable offensive stats include a batting average of .692, a staggering OPS of 1.333, four home runs, and 17 stolen bases.

Additionally, her prowess in the pitching circle was equally impressive, with her boasting a remarkable 0.26 ERA over 26 innings, 67 strikeouts, and a minuscule .037 batting average against.

In the Fall season with the Vipers, Katie also shined by maintaining a batting average of .421 and an on-base percentage of .522 over 10 games. On the pitching front, she concluded the Fall travel ball season with 14 strikeouts over seven innings.

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Megan: Pitching Prowess & Big Moments When It Counts

Megan demonstrates exceptional athleticism and excels in many aspects of the game, per Coach Crenshaw.

“She pitches low to mid 60’s with excellent control of multiple pitches,” the Vipers coach says. “Her composed demeanor and poise while pitching make her stand out among her peers.”

On the mound, Megan possesses a diverse pitching arsenal, allowing her to rack up numerous strikeouts consistently.

Additionally, she exhibits superb defensive skills as a third baseman, characterized by excellent footwork and impressive throwing velocity.

… and don’t forget the offensive production she brings to the team. Her club coach doesn’t.

“Megan’s batting prowess is notable, as she displays power to all areas of the field,” Coach Crenshaw raves. “She has a knack for coming up with a big hit at critical moments in the game.”

During her title-winning eighth grade year at Pace Academy last Fall, Megan showcased her talents both at the plate and on the mound helping her team win the championship.

She boasted impressive offensive statistics with a .605 batting average, .895 slugging percentage, two home runs, and 21 stolen bases.

On the pitching mound, Megan maintained an outstanding 0.50 ERA over 42 innings pitched, with opponents’ batting just .103 against her.

In the Fall season with the Vipers, Megan continued to impress, recording a .333 batting average, a .545 on-base percentage, and a 1.212 OPS. Her pitching performance remained stellar, as she pitched 16 innings, striking out 18 batters.

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Mom (Erin): Starting Pitcher at Georgia Tech in ’90’s

Their mother, Erin (Ryan) Wrigley, boasts a remarkable softball career resume, earning four letters at Georgia Tech from 1995 through 1998 and serving as a starter in the three-pitcher rotation throughout her collegiate years.

She’s even on the school’s Top 5 list all-time with 49 complete games.

Notable achievements over Erin’s career included recording a 1.59 ERA over 132.1 innings during her sophomore year, including a perfect game, and regularly making the ACC Honor Roll.

Erin’s early exposure to travel softball with the Redan Bandits and later the Tucker Elite team, along with guidance from esteemed coaches like Lisa Kemme, laid the foundation for her daughters’ journey in the sport.

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Dad (Jase): Georgia Tech Standout Pitcher, Now Baseball & Softball Coach

On the coaching front, their father, Jase Wrigley, brings over 15 years of experience on the diamond, both in baseball and softball, notably serving as an assistant and pitching coach for Pace Academy Varsity Baseball and head coach for Pace Middle School Softball.

His own standout career as a player includes being part of two state championship teams in high school, earning All-ACC Honors at Georgia Tech, and a six-year tenure in the Colorado Rockies organization after being drafted in the MLB Amateur Draft.

With their parents’ impressive athletic backgrounds and guidance, Katie and Megan Wrigley are poised to continue their own legacy as formidable athletes, making significant contributions to their team’s success on the field.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball