Our Program Staff
Manager of Angels Softball - Mike Gappa
We are excited to announce our newest addition to the #angelsfamily - Mike Gappa, Manager of Milwaukee Angels Softball.
Coach Mike Gappa grew up in Greenfield, WI. He attended Whitnall High School where he played baseball and football. He led the baseball team to a conference title in 2000 and an appearance in the state semi-finals in 2001 as well as the first two football conference titles in the school's history in 1998 and 2000. After high school Coach Gappa played baseball for Lakeland University leading the team to three conference titles and a 5th place finish in the College World Series in 2002. Coach Gappa was a member of the New Berlin Lakers in Land O'Lakes from 2000-2011 where he was a 9-time All-League catcher, 2004 and 2010 Grand Championship runner up, and finished with a career .476 average along with 31 home runs. He was elected to the Land O Lakes Old Timers Association Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022.
After graduating from Lakeland in 2005 Coach Gappa began his goals to coach and help create great experiences in youth sports. Coach Gappa has been coaching baseball/softball teams since 2006. He has been a head coach in youth football since 2018 and coaching boys/girls basketball since 2010. Coach Gappa has spent a lot of time in leadership positions the past 10 years including spending over 6 years running the Whitnall softball program, vice president of the Whitnall Booster Club, and president of Whitnall Youth Football/Cheer. Coach Gappa began coaching high school softball at Whitnall in 2019. In 2023, Mike Gappa became the Whitnall High School Head Varsity Softball Coach.
Coach Gappa has shared his passion for sports with his children and they have grown up on the ball field. His daughters are a senior and junior at Whitnall High School. His son is currently in 7th grade at Whitnall middle school. His oldest daughter recently signed her commitment to follow in her dad's steps and will be a catcher for the Lakeland University softball team starting in the fall of 2023.
Pitching Instructor - Lara Stachowski​
Coach (Lara) Stachowski is in her second season coaching with the Milwaukee Angels, focusing on pitching, hitting, and fielding for softball. A Whitnall High School alumna and former All-Around Conference Pitcher, Lara is passionate about the sport, which she feels shaped her into the person she is today. She works professionally in the IT Support Desk and is motivated to coach, provide support, and create memorable experiences for young players. Her most memorable coaching moment so far was seeing a U10 pitcher hit 40MPH consistently for the first time. Lara’s favorite quote is, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit” by Aristotle.
8U Angels Softball - Kristin Jacobson​
Coach (Kristine) Jacobson is a dedicated coach with over 10 years of experience, currently in her second year with the Milwaukee Angels and will lead our 8U team this season. A former varsity softball player at Sussex Hamilton High School, Kristine earned First Team All-Conference honors and has also coached gymnastics at Brown Deer and Waukesha West High Schools. As a teacher by profession, Kristine is passionate about helping athletes grow in confidence, fostering a love for the sport, and creating opportunities for success. One of her proudest coaching moments was winning the first tournament of the 2024 season. She lives by the quote, "I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I cannot accept not trying," by Michael Jordan. ​
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10U Angels Softball - Christine Mach​
Coach (Christine) Mach is in her second year coaching with the Milwaukee Angels and has been coaching softball for the past 15 years. Her experience spans coaching at various levels, from U8 Little League to high school varsity, including community and competitive select organizations. Christine has been involved with Black River Falls Little League and High School, Sussex Hamilton Jr. Chargers (both baseball and softball), Milwaukee Angels, and Sussex Hamilton High School. She has held roles such as head coach, assistant coach, and Director of Player Development. Currently, Christine is the head coach of the U10 Milwaukee Angels and is part of the coaching staff at Sussex Hamilton High School. A graduate of Black River Falls Senior High, where she played basketball and softball and was an avid horseback rider, she transitioned to slowpitch softball after high school and played until 2020. Christine began coaching shortly after graduating, finding joy in teaching kids the game she is passionate about. Her senior year of high school, she was team captain, MVP, and First Team All-Conference. Christine coaches because she loves helping players grow and teaching life lessons through the game. Her best coaching moment was going to the State Tournament in 2024. Her favorite sports quote is, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit" – Aristotle. ​
12U Angels Softball - Michaela Leitner​
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Coach (Michaela) Leitner brings 6 years of coaching experience, including 4 years of introductory gymnastics at the Germantown Rec Dept and 2 years instructing JV high school fastpitch at Brookfield East High School. A dedicated softball player throughout high school, Michaela played both fastpitch and club softball, earning Communication Awards for her clear and effective on-field leadership. Although she did not play in college, Michaela attended WCTC and UWM, focusing on Education. She is enthusiastic about building her coaching career with the Angels and reconnecting with the sport she loves. Her professional background includes working as a scheduler for ProHealth Care. Michaela’s best coaching moment was assisting JV girls as a Varsity player in high school, providing support and guidance she wished she had received. She coaches to rekindle her passion for softball and to foster connections with players, coaches, and families. Michaela’s favorite quote is, "Don't let the fear of striking out hold you back," by Babe Ruth.
14U Angels Softball - Kelsey Markon​
Coach Kelsey Markon grew up in Tucson, AZ where she attended Empire High School. Coach Kelsey was a first team All-State selectee in 2012, 2013 and 2014, the 2013 Player of the Year in the state of Arizona, and led the state of Arizona with 75 RBI's and 1.73 ERA in the circle in 2013.​After high school she played for East Tennessee State University as a utility player, primarily third base and pitcher. She helped her team to a Conference Championship in 2017 with an appearance in the Women’s College World Series Regionals. Since graduating college in 2018 Coach Kelsey has worked with numerous club and high school teams ranging from 10U to 18U in Arizona, Indiana, North Carolina and now Wisconsin. She is currently the Assistant Coach for the 14U Milwaukee Angels and Whitnall High School. After 20 years of playing and coaching experience, Coach Kelsey believes that softball not only teaches young girls how to hit, pitch and field, but also teamwork, resiliency and strong work ethic. Coach Kelsey’s foremost goals as a coach are to help girls reach their highest potential by building confidence, improving their softball IQ and developing sound fundamentals.”​
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14U Angels Softball - Justin Kehring​
Coach (Justin) Kehring is continuing his successful coaching journey with the Milwaukee Angels, bringing 8 years of coaching experience, including 3 years with the Angels. He has served as both Head Coach and Assistant Coach for the 14U and 12U teams, as well as coaching with the Pewaukee Predators and Waukesha Blazers at various levels. A Kettle Moraine High School alumnus, Justin was an accomplished baseball and soccer player. Now working as an Education Finance Director, Justin is passionate about coaching, driven by his commitment to developing players’ skills, teamwork, and leadership. He fosters a "team first" mentality, aiming to build strong camaraderie and success both on and off the field. One of his proudest moments as a coach comes from his philosophy that the goal of coaching is not just to build great athletes, but to nurture great individuals. His favorite sports quote, “The most lasting victories are those that shape players into better people,” encapsulates his approach to coaching.​
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16U Angels Softball - Chad Dornbach
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Coach (Chad) Dornbach is entering his 4th season coaching with the Milwaukee Angels, bringing 8 years of coaching experience to the field. Professionally, Chad works in insurance, specializing in Property Subrogation. His love for coaching stems from his belief that sports should be an enjoyable escape from routine life, and he enjoys sharing his passion for baseball and softball with the next generation. His goal is to instill a love for the game in the young athletes he coaches. One of Chad's proudest coaching moments came this past summer when his U13 baseball team played in the league championship game. With the game tied in the bottom of the 7th inning, two outs, and a runner on second, his son Colin stepped up to bat and delivered a walk-off hit to win the game—a perfect ending to an unforgettable moment.
His favorite sports quote, "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm," by Bobby Knight, reflects his approach to coaching and life.
16U Angels Softball - Emyli Kreiser
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Coach (Emyli) Kreiser is entering her 3rd year with the Milwaukee Angels and has been coaching for 5 years. For the 2024-2025 season, she will be leading our 16U Blue team. Emyli attended Whitnall High School, where she played multiple sports, including softball and rugby, and became a state champion in her senior year. She continued her softball career in college, playing for two years at Ripon College and two years at Lakeland University. Throughout her college career, she earned Academic All-Conference honors each year, ranking second on her team in batting average and tying for the lead in doubles and home runs as a freshman. Professionally, Emyli works in Investment Compliance and holds financial series certifications, including SIE, Series 7, and Series 24. Her passion for coaching comes from her desire to share her knowledge and experience with young athletes, helping them understand what it takes to become college athletes. Her coaching philosophy is centered around her motto, "team over me," which she instills in all her players.
18U Angels Softball - Jim Becker
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Coach (Jim) Becker, a seasoned coach with 15 years of experience, including 3 years with the Milwaukee Angels, where he currently leads the 18U team. He has coached a wide range of levels, from T-Ball to JUCO softball, and has been involved with Muskego Storm Baseball and Softball, Milwaukee Angels, and MATC Stormers. A former high school athlete in football and baseball, Jim continued his baseball career at MATC, where he was named Wisconsin JUCO Pitcher of the Year in 1992. Now self-employed, he runs a Field Management company specializing in baseball and softball diamonds. Jim's passion for coaching stems from his love for the game and the dedication of the players. His proudest coaching achievements include winning the 14U Championship at Miller Park in 2019 and guiding his girls' team to a 2nd place finish at a national tournament in Nashville in 2023.
