Perfect Game Capital City Showdown

January 14-15^th

Des Moines, IA

The first Perfect Game tournament that was ever hosted at the new West Des Moines Mid-American Energy RecPlex was an exciting one with a lot of homeruns. Of the 10 teams in the tournament, they represented several states including, Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin. The 14U and 16U divisions were both loaded with top talent from around the Midwest and made for some great competitive softball. The Iowa Outlaws Andrew came out on top in the 16U division and the Nebraska Gold Dillinger in the 14U Division.

14U

Tournament Champion, NE Gold Dillinger has a lineup full of excellent hitters and boasted 9 of the top 10 spots in the event’s Top Performers Hitting category. Of those players was MVP Player Charlee Rosonke (2027, Eldora, IA) who is a well-rounded player who showed up at the plate, in the field and in the pitching circle. Rosonke batted over .600 with 6 hits, including three doubles and eight RBIs. She has a commanding fastball that she places with ease, working in the 54-56mph range with a changeup that stymies batters, clocking in at 37mph.

Another key player for this NE Gold Dillinger team is first baseman Paige Opheim (2026 Humboldt, IA). Opheim has raw power and proved so with several extra base hits including three doubles, one triple and a home run, hitting .778 on the weekend. Her quick hands and smooth swing are only going to get better as she matures. The future is bright for this young player.

The runner up Alliance Select Griffin attempted a late comeback in the championship game but ultimately fell short. Taylor Nuss (2026 Waukee, IA) was the MVP Pitcher of the 14U division. Nuss is a right-handed pitcher with great command with her fastball and isn’t afraid to mix in her change up to keep batters off balance. Nuss finished the weekend with a tournament high 20 strikeouts.

16U

The 16U Division was loaded talent. This was especially true for the Iowa Outlaws Andrews team. The entire team is loaded with talent and worthy of a note, but a few stood out this weekend.

The MVP Pitcher Aubrey Lensmeyer (2024 Ankeny, IA) of the Iowa Outlaws Andrew, dominates in the circle. Her rise is very deceptive, her fastball she can place with extreme precision and a changeup that proves effective and is utilized well. Lensmeyer finished the weekend with 13 strikeouts and only allowing one earned run.

The MVP Player is University of South Dakota commit Ella McGee (2024 Waukee, IA) who also plays for Iowa Outlaws Andrew. The leadoff hitter went 6-for-9 on the weekend. McGee showcases extreme speed on the bases legging out two triples, one of which could have been considered an in the park home run, one double, and five stolen bases. McGee is a plus outfielder that utilizes her speed to run down balls in the gap. There is no doubt this young lady has potential to perform well at the next level.

Another stand out player of the Iowa Outlaws Andrew team is Lily Hans (2024 Ankeny, IA), This athletic multi-sport athlete has pure power and gets the job done at the plate with complete ease. Hans has a very intimidating stance at the plate with a smooth swing. Hans finished the weekend batting .625 with three doubles and a home run.

Runner Up Midwest Crushers 16U- American’s Lindaja Smith (2025 Des Moines, IA) is a pitcher/shortstop that has a very athletic build and also showcases a lot of power. She uses her lower half well and has a short, quick swing path through the ball.  Smith had five hits on the weekend including two doubles and a home run.

Olivia Young (2024 Cedar Rapids, IA) fo Expos 08 demonstrates a variety of effective pitches and mixes them in well. Her rise ball has a late jump, making it almost impossible to hit and an impressive change up that make this pitcher successful on the mound. This 5’8” right-handed pitcher has a ton of potential to be successful at the next level.

Kasey Brouchoud (2025 Mishicot, WI) of the Wisconsin Heat, led the division with eight RBIs. Brouchoud is a catcher who commands the field and helps her pitcher’s with plus framing ability. Along with being an RBI machine, Brouchoud boasted four doubles and a home run. Utilizing a wide stance, Brouchoud has quick hands and a lot of power.