"Twins" the key to victory for Milwaukee co-ed softball team
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A Milwaukee-area co-ed softball team says few notice what they possess that helps lead them to victory week after week -- but if you pay close attention, you'll understand why winning is in the team's blood!
On the border of Wauwatosa and Milwaukee, when the sun starts to set on Mondays, players get ready to hit the field at Dwyer Park.
Amy Wessel started her team four years ago.
"I come to every game amped up, and nervous. We're tied for first this year so we'll see what happens," Amy Wessel said.
"The Goonies" have a secret weapon. The team consists of seven siblings, including three sets of twins!
Nicky is the oldest child -- born in 1979. Next came twins Kim and Matt, then Beth and Amy born in 1985 and twins Ben and Mike.
"With a family of seven you always could field a kick ball team or a dodgeball game or anything like that. The cars were always full, the house was always loud, but for us it was totally normal,"
They are a group whose team chemistry is as close as their DNA!
"You know you're twins when you have a scar and your twin has to have the same scar,"
The family says there are obvious advantages and unexpected consequences.
"You're more honest with one another, so when competition gets pretty heated, you I think get in people's faces a little more than you would,"
It is a passion for competition that tends to lead the competition to see double, after double, after double.
"It's kind of fun to create your own team and be in that actual sport all together all seven of us," Amy Wessel said.
The Wessels say as the games go on and the hits pile up, something clicks with their opponents.
"Oftentimes people will say are you guys a family? Something gives it away,"
Meanwhile, on the bleachers, in the works, is the Wessel's farm system. Kim Kohler Wessel is sidelined until next year, when her child will be here.
"I was at first bummed I wasn't going to be able to play," Kohler Wessel said.
Kohler Wessel says doctors have assured her she is not having twins! Three sets of twins in the family is plenty, she says!
"The Goonies" destroyed the FOX6 softball team on their way to a second straight championship.
All seven Wessels are graduates of Marquette University.