CHESTERFIELD, MO- 2024 Softball Elite Scouting Showcase, March 30-31, 2024. Seven 16U teams and six 18U teams competed at Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex to compete for the tournament title and the pink rings that solidified their status as champions. In the 16U bracket, Tenacity took down Defiance Elite 16U to complete their perfect 6-0 weekend. On the other side in the 18U division, there was a competitive and entertaining championship game between Defiance Elite 18U and Alliance Select Blackford. Alliance found themselves down by five runs late in the game when their offense had a resurgence, scoring seven unanswered runs in the last inning capping it off with a walk-off two run home run by Delaney Wyble (2026 Ankeny, IA). What a competitive and high energy weekend here in Chesterfield!

16U Division

Kherington Morris (2027 Silex, MO) would record the best batting score this weekend for 16U at 70.99. She recorded 15 RBIs in just six games. She added five extra base hits, two of which were home runs. She displayed the most violent swing in the division with great hands and extension. She showed great discipline both at the plate and in the field. Her catching ability showed great potential with an amazing arm and great feel for the game. Her framing and blocking were suitable, but the arm strength was noticeable recording a 1.75 poptime during warmups. The best trait she showed this weekend was her leadership which is key for both a team captain and a team’s catcher.

Brienne Chilton (2025 Nixa, MO) uses her 6”0 frame to punish pitchers. Posting the second-best batting score this weekend her power and value to the championship winning Tenacity was on full display. Chiulton’s ability to hit with power but also take what the pitcher gives her was most impressive. Not being able to get cheated in each at bat but also able to hit well when behind in the count. Even on swings where she might have gotten under the ball or rolled over, the exit velocity and travel of the ball was still impressive. She also finished 2nd in pitching score this weekend even having the highest pitch speed at 62 MPH.

Brookley Ware (2027 Manchester, MO) showed off her elite athleticism and strong approach at the plate all weekend. She ranked first on her team in exit velocity (68 MPH) while also having an elite home to first sprint speed that she showed off. Despite falling to Tenacity in the championship, she was able to take home the tournament MVP for her efforts. She will be a staple leadoff hitter for any team. She has above average tools in every aspect with strong signs of becoming an elite four to five tool player.

Grace Jacobsmeyer (2028 Troy, MO) was one of the biggest surprises of the weekend and showed amazing potential to be a top pitcher for any team in the state. Despite being on a 14U team, she pitched extremely well against the tournament champions Tenacity, even striking out Brienne Chilton who was previously mentioned on this list. She showed great command and composure despite playing against older, stronger competition. Her velocity is obviously her most promising trait sitting at high 50s nearly hitting 60 MPH. She was tied for the third highest max fastball velocity at 59 MPH and averaged 56.4 MPH. Her off-speed was effective and fooled hitters time and time again. The way she carried herself and clear competitive attitude would be a coach's dream to develop as her command dropped a tad in her other performance, but her potential was put on a pedestal after this weekend.

Dylan Topel (2026 Montgomery City, MO) was part of an elite one two punch at the heart of the order with Kherington Morris. Topel would post an absurd .714 batting average with an OPS over two thousand. To complement that, she had four doubles, two home runs, and was second in the division in RBIs with twelve. One of the biggest things that few hitters in either division did was being able to turn on an inside pitch with a strong barrel and exit velocity. Topel was able to do that time and time again. Even if she was jammed, her raw power would still shoot the ball into the gap.

18U Division

Lauren Hagedorn (2026 Adel, IA) showed that she might be the best two-way player in the entire tournament. She has a consistent, accurate fastball in the low to mid 60s with an off-speed that had some of the best movement from any pitcher I watched. Her PG profile listed her max velocity at 66 MPH which is something that could realistically be her average speed within the next few years. Offensively, her outs were loud, but the hits were even louder. Barreling the ball up seemingly every time she made contact. I watched her zone in on a pitch high in the zone, use her quick hands to go get it, and send it dead center well over 215 feet. She led her team to the tournament championship and won MV-Pitcher.

Grace Molitor (2025 Marthasville, MO) is a right-handed hitter with unreal tools and athleticism. Her stats this weekend were unreal having nine hits in eleven at bats while walking three times, showing elite discipline. Her ability to catch up to elite pitching was something that I noticed early on as she was able to take a mid 60s fastball up and in and drive it to the gap. Quickly after, she read a bounce extremely well to steal third. Her speed and ability to make contact across the zone separates her from other hitters like Molitor. Lastly, her hands at the dish were far and away the fastest. She can read pitches extremely fast, paired up with her unreal hands.

Lauren Bartine (2026 Ankeny, IA) is a right-handed hitter that doesn’t come off as someone with a lot of pop, but she showed it this weekend hitting two home runs in just five games played. She’s not afraid to go down in the count if it means she can get a better pitch which may seem like an issue, but with the confidence and ability she showed, it paid off. She’s able to identify a pitch very quickly while also tracking it all the way. Her home runs both showed great extension and raw power. One of the prettiest power swings of the weekend.

Kinsey Biggerstaff (2024 Canton, MO) was one of the best all-around catchers in the division this weekend. Not only did she tear the cover off the ball, her arm and framing were on full display. She showed great plate discipline and surprised me with how hard she was able to hit the ball. She was rewarded with a .667 on base percentage in twenty-one appearances while knocking in eight RBIs in seven games. Most definitely one of the more complete/sound hitters in the division. Able to hit for contact, power, and track pitches at a high level.