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Softball  | Softball Showcase | 9/14/2022

Elite 40 Illinois Scouting Showcase Notes

Photo: Perfect Game
Fifty-five teams rolled into Peoria, Ill. for the Perfect Game Elite 40 Illinois Scouting Showcase, in search of winning one of the three championships up for grabs in the 14u - 18u divisions. Winning championships were Mojo 2K9 Fox out of Pendleton, Ind. in 14u, Heartland Havoc 07 out of East Moline, Ill. in 16u, and Southeast Iowa Allstars, 18u Gold Miller from Iowa City, Iowa took top honors in the 18u division.

Earning tournament MVP was Sophia Schlader (2028, Urbandale, Iowa), playing for finalist Iowa Gold-Matthews. Schlader almost single-handedly led her team to the championship. In the circle, Schlader threw a tournament-high 31 innings, amassing 60 strikeouts while topping out at 64 mph. Besides her fastball, Schlader utilized a curve, drop and change to keep batters honest to not allow them to just sit on her fastball. At the plate, constantly getting the barrel on the ball, Schlader collected 10 hits which included a double, two triples and three home runs. As Schlader develops over the next several years, gaining strength and experience, her stock will only rise and she may be one of the more highly sought-after recruits in the 2028 class.



Not to be outdone, Haley Helm (2027, Savoy, Ill.) of the championship-winning Mojo 2K9 Fox, took home the MV-Pitcher award. Also a two-way player, in the circle Helm is more of a pitch-to-contact pitcher, collected 11 strikeouts in her 11 innings pitched and topped out at 61 mph. At the plate, Helm had seven hits, three doubles and a home run; included in this was going 2-for-2 with two doubles in the championship game.

The MVP award went to Payton Brown (2023, Taylor Ridge, Ill.), playing for finalist Heartland Havoc 05. The right-handed hitting Illinois State commit barreled the ball up all weekend. Using a solid lower half and keeping her hands inside the ball, Brown demonstrated gap-to-gap power. Brown collected 14 hits with two doubles, one triple, two bombs, swiped five bases, knocked in seven and scored 14 runs. In the field, Brown, a MIF, shows good instincts and hands that will play at the next level.

RHP Maura Chalupa (2023, Muscatine, Iowa) earned the MV-Pitcher award after leading her Southeast Iowa Allstars, 18u Gold Miller team to the championship. The uncommitted Chalupa tossed 19 innings and collected 31 strikeouts while topping out at 60 mph. Chalupa utilizes a strong lower half to generate her drive to the plate and can throw all her pitches for strikes, to either side of the plate. Having had the opportunity to see her pitch several times, she continues to impress me with her consistency and ability to hit her spots, seemingly at will.

Other ladies making some noise this weekend included RHP Chloe Mitchell (2023, Peru, Ill.). Utilizing a rise, drop curve and change to go along with her fastball, Mitchell worked 18 innings, collecting 25 strikeouts while only giving up one walk. Mitchell has a very easy motion, with no wasted movement and has plus movement on her spin pitches.

Jessica Clemons (2024, Bettendorf, Iowa), hitting from the right side of the plate, showed a balanced approach at the plate while collecting 11 hits that included three doubles and one triple. Clemons knocked in seven and scored six runs. Defensively, the MIF has tools that will allow her to make a seamless move to the next level.

Katie Petran (2023, Peoria, Ill.), a right-handed pitching Butler University commit, utilized a full arsenal of pitches to amass 30 punchouts in her 13 innings of work, while not allowing a walk. Petran sat at 62 mph and utilized the fastball to set up her spin pitches. Not one dimensional, Petran also had some fun at the plate, collecting nine hits that included three doubles and a home run. Petran scored five runs, had seven RBI and swiped four bases to round out her weekend.

Sydney Morris (2023, Ankeny, Iowa) showed the ability to play several positions for her Jag Select team, playing a corner, MIF and catching. At the plate Morris had 12 hits on the weekend to help her team reach the semis. Of her hits, five were for extra bases, with four doubles and a home run. Morris scored five runs, collected four RBI and did not strike out during the tournament.

Jags teammate Lauren Gustofson (2023, Ankeny, Iowa) was another key to her team’s success. The left-handed pitching Gustofson was in the circle for 20 innings of work and struck out 27 opposing batters. Gustofson, with a top velo of 56 mph, utilized a plus rise ball to get some big outs. Showing composure and mental toughness, Gustofson showed the ability to pitch out of trouble, keeping her team in games, giving them the opportunity to win.

Kori Needham (2023, Walcott, Iowa), a St. Cloud State commit, played outfield for Heartland Havoc 05 and her bat was a key contributor for their run to the finals. Needham, with an upright stance, has very little movement through load. She displays the ability to get the barrel to the ball in quick fashion, which should allow her more time to see the pitch and make swing adjustments as needed. Needham collected 10 hits, which included two doubles and a triple while knocking in 10, stealing five bases and scoring eight runs.

-Dave Durbala

Heartland Havoc ’07 was named the champions of the tournament overall in the 16u division. Highlighted and named MVP for the team was Kasey Kane (2025, Le Claire, Iowa). Going 11-for-16 over the weekend, Kane was trouble in Havoc's lineup as well as a leader on the defense. Kane had some great glove work, forehand and backhand at third base. Overall she took advantage of the weekend to show her stuff.

Runner-up Southeast IA Allstars 16u Gold- Hall’s very own Braylen Conlon (2025, Toddville, Iowa) was name MV-Pitcher. Conlon, as a LHP, showed a strong mix of pitches, as she worked every inch of the zone keeping the batters guessing where she was going next. She pitched consistently in the 57-59 mph range and ended the weekend with 11 2/3 innings pitched, tallying on 21 strikeouts.

Miah Berhenke (2026, Hampton, Ill.) has a solid and level barrel through the zone, as Saturday evening she guaranteed Nebraska Gold 309 the win with a walkoff drive painting the third base line. Berhenke has a confidence about her approach that continues to reflect the all-around player she is. Behind the plate she was a wall and showed her strength through her throw-downs.

Brenna George (2025, Dubuque, Iowa) with Lady Dukes 16u National- IL was also a big bat in this team's lineup, as she used her length well with her long swing of the bat to generate a lot of power throughout. She is a mature catcher for the team as well with strong wrist work, quick frames and speedy throw downs to all bases.

Fury Platinum National Liter’s Kelsey Armes (2026, Elwood, Ind.) was a wall behind the plate. Armes was quick to pop and react, as she had multiple diving catches for foul balls behind the plate to help her team out all she could. She was a voice you heard throughout the inning to lead her team in the next play. Her throw-downs will only gain more velocity as she matures.

Lauren Winters (2026, Stronghurst, Ill.) with Texas Glory 07- IL showed a wide range at shortstop. Winters wasn’t afraid to get “dirty” on the turf fields to keep the ball in the infield and hold runners from advancing, as well as making a few outs with those dives on line drive hits in her area. She has a strong glove on tags, leaving no doubt on the outs.

Madison McGrath (2024, Lincoln Park, Mich.) with T2 Shamrock 16u was the all-around slapper of the tournament. She batted in the two-hole and got the job done, whether it was a sacrifice or finding her way on. She has plus speed on the bases that builds up as she goes, and it shows with her three triples over the weekend. McGrath is quick out of the box and reads the field well with where to place her slap and what power to execute. Also utilizes her speed in the outfield to cover ground.

Nebraska Gold 515 16u came to play with a lot of consistent bats in their lineup. Leading the way was Keirah Wiseman (2025, Burlington, Iowa), going 11-for-17 in the box. She is a runner that will take advantage of an extra base when given the chance. Mylie Hatfield (2026, Ankeny, Iowa) was another constant in the line up with six RBI over the weekend, going 9-for-16. Being a pitcher, Hatfield used it to her advantage to adjust to the movement of pitches and drive the ball, giving herself some insurance while in the circle.

Anna Weathers (2025, Ankeny, Iowa), also with Nebraska Gold 515 16u, had a very confident approach at the plate and backed it up with her bat. Weathers went 11-for-19 with two singles, six doubles, three home runs and nine RBIs overall. Weathers kept great composure throughout every game no matter the score or situation she was in while in the box.

Tessa Gripp (2026, Indianola, Iowa) with Barracuda Aces 16u is a sound batter. Gripp has great strength off the bat to extend the distance of the ball. She went 5-for-10 over the weekend with three singles, a double and a home run. Gripp’s power will only become greater as she gets older. Great things ahead for this batter.

When Allison Lair (2024, West Des Moines, Iowa) was in the circle for Iowa Slammers- 18u Hallman, she was locked in, as there was no chatter distracting her no matter the volume. Lair kept her pitches in the 57-60 mph range. She worked every inch of the strike zone, keeping it out of batters' reach, especially her curveball hanging on the edge of the plate.

LHP Emily Watters (2023, Anamosa, Iowa), a Missouri Western State commit, does more than just have a mean screwball in the 57-60 mph range for Eastern Iowa Barracudas/ Vantiger. She can drive the ball in clutch situations. Saturday afternoon, Watters pulled a fake bunt hit and drove the ball to right-center resulting in an RBI triple to back herself up in the circle.

Sidney Spindel (2024, Geneoseo, Ill.) with Heartland Havoc 05 is a very disciplined batter when at the plate. She keeps her barrel level and solid through the zone to drive the ball to the green. Spindel uses her strength behind the plate as well with quick, powerful throw-downs. She is a barrier back there, keeping runners second guessing their choice to steal.

-Molly Reyes


Softball | Softball Tournament | 12/11/2025

PG Softball "Toys 4 Tots" Fundraiser 18U division

Dave Durbala
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BURLINGTON, IA - 2025 Perfect Game Softball Toys 4 Tots Fundraiser One Day, December 7, 2025. Kicking off the holiday season, six teams participated in this one day, 3 game guarantee tournament in the 18u Division. We would like to thank those that donated a toy, and know that they will be distributed to area underprivileged children through a local charity organization. Following are some of the top performers from the weekend. Earning Tournament MV-Pitcher was Jolee Strohmeyer (2026 Dubuque, IA), a RHP/UTIL with tournament champion Lady Expos Blue. Strohmeyer shows hitters a consistent and repeatable motion and delivery with good use of the legs in the drive phase, and a quick and aggressive arm whip. Working with a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop, curve and screw, Strohmeyer topped out at 60 mph, and showed good movement  as she worked her rise and curve just out...
Tournaments | Story | 12/18/2025

14u Tourney All-American Team

Tyler Russo
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Player of the Year: Asher Williams It was an incredible year for Williams that was rewarded with a trip to the 14U Select Fest, before some more impressive play in the fall. He came to the plate almost 250 times in PG tournaments throughout 2025 and reached base in well over half of them, hitting to a .500 AVG while slugging a 14U circuit best 12 bombs and driving in 113 runs. The numbers on the surface are ridiculous, but when you look at the high-level events he put them up in, it makes it even more impressive. Pitcher of the Year: Tristan Blalock Blalock earns this honor after a dominant 2025 where he struck out 85 batters in just 48.2 innings of work with a minuscule 1.58 ERA. This included several strong performances at many national level tournaments and showcases where he was able to bully some of the best hitters in the country. It’s hard not to fall in love with...
Tournaments | Story | 12/17/2025

15u Tourney All-American Team

Jason Phillips
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Hitter of the Year: Landon Bonner The 2028 class saw many players from across the country take the next step in their development as they entered the High School ranks. There were huge performances from highly ranked players on the PG circuit as well as some under-the-radar guys who burst onto the scene. Landon Bonner came into Sophomore National as a Top 500 ranked player and after an impressive showing, left with all eyes on him as a rankings riser in the class. The left-handed hitting shortstop from The Colony, Texas, had a summer to remember with All-Tournament Team selections in three of his next four events culminating with a historic performance at the 2025 PG 15U WWBA National Championship. The Hebron High School prep went 20-for-24 in nine games for 5 Star Mafia 15U Black with four homeruns and 12 runs batted in. He also scored 17 runs and finished with a mind-boggling 2.500...
Tournaments | Story | 12/16/2025

16u Tourney All-American Team

AJ Denny
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Hitter of the Year: Koa Romero is the Hitter of the Year for the 16u group, as he would come to every premier event of the summer and earn All-Tournament honors (Beast of the East, 16/17u WWBA, Jupiter) in every single one. Over 82 plate appearances, Romero would pump ten homeruns with forty two RBI and sixteen walks, good for a .378 average and 1.339 OPS. The performance on volume at the best events of the year pushed Romero over the edge here, as he’d hit a pair of homeruns in Jupiter (one of them at 112 EV) as an underclassmen and collect double digit hits in BOTH WWBA events with a combined six jacks over the two tournaments. It was a summer that combined performance and winning on the biggest stages for Romero. It’s a quiet left-handed swing that packs a punch. He would reap the benefits of his performances, earning a commitment to LSU and jumping to the #74 prospect in...
College | Recruiting | 12/15/2025

Recruiting Notebook: December 15

John McAdams
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Tucker Rice (27 MS) bumping up to 91; living hi-80s from real fast arm. Good SL @ 77-79 w/ depth & sold w/ intent. Loads of traits & strikes. #WWBA @PG_Uncommitted @PG_DeepSouth pic.twitter.com/DEjFqRcsIY — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 6, 2025 Tucker Rice, RHP, Class of 2027 Commitment: Alabama Alabama has continued to stay red hot in the recruiting trail ever since August 1st rolled around on the calendar and have continued to stack major pieces in their ’27 class. They dip into Mississippi to land one of the premier arms and one that’s stood out on the circuit for quite some time. It’s a fast arm and the athleticism certainly shines working down the slope. The velocity has continued to tick up over the last calendar year and reached into the low-90s towards the end of the summer. He’s confident in his changeup and the breaking ball is...
Tournaments | Story | 12/15/2025

17u Tourney All-American Team

Vincent Cervino
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There’s a lot of talent throughout this 2026 class, filled with the big-name stars, to talent that spreads across the nation. It’s been a lot of fun seeing these prospects grow and develop over the years, from the days of watching some of these guys at the 13/14u days at events on the circuit, to now where they are all graduating seniors in 2026. There’s been new faces who have popped along the way over the years, even in 2026, where some players who were relatively undiscovered, have come out and made a name for themselves with a statement performance. Between the familiar and the new, there’s a lot of names on this list that are going to be quite regularly talked about on the circuit, and for good reason.  Whether it’s PG All-Americans or not, there’s a lot of names with superstar potential at the next level. We’ve got 14 PG All-Americans...
Tournaments | Story | 12/13/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2029

Tyler Russo
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Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 These guys might just be entering high school, but they've certainly already made a name for themselves on the national circuit, especially with their abilities on the defensive side of things.  C: Xavier Rodriguez (Logansville, GA) Rodriguez is a polished defender with real arm strength behind the dish, while showcasing the ability to impact the baseball with authority to all fields evident by thirty of his sixty-five hits going for extra-bases including seven bombs. He handles high-level pitching extremely well, commands his staff and his offensive prowess makes him a true two-way asset. 1B: Cooper Knight (Buda, TX) Knight is a smooth operator at first base with plenty of range, fluidity and agility in his footwork around the bag. Add-in a rocket for an arm, the ability to change slots and to...
Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Scout Stories: Part 5

AJ Denny
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Best Game I Saw: The Dream NTL 18U vs. MBA Scout Team Murphy Jupiter always brings out the best, and we got fireworks from the jump. Turner Marshall gave The Dream an outstanding 4+ innings of work on the mound, holding a lethal MBA team at bay with Chance Dixon, Derrick Carter, and Ellis Appling providing an offensive spark out of the gate for the Georgia based boys. However, it was only a matter of time before the talent on the other side got going, as MBA erased a 3-run deficit in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead led by a Parker Loew HR. The Dream then took command again in the Top of the 6th, before MBA punched right back with a huge 5-run inning in the bottom half capped off by a clutch RBI single from Matthew Kerrigan, ending a wild sequence with tons of notable performances from two very competitive rosters. Best Tournament Performance I Saw: Surely someone has already brought this...
College | Story | 12/12/2025

College Notebook: December 12

Craig Cozart
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Nebraska Cornhuskers 2025 Highlights: The Cornhuskers were a difficult team to figure in ’25 as they finished with 33 wins, played just .500 (15-15) in the Big Ten but had some big wins at various times during the season and got hot at the right time. They knocked off then #16 Vanderbilt in the second game of the year, beat #5 Oregon State 2-out-of-3 at home in late March and then got hot at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha to win the Big Ten Tournament. They beat Michigan State in a 10-inning thriller before taking care of #4 Oregon, knocking off Penn State and then shutout #13 UCLA to punch their ticket to the Chapel Hill Regional. Head coach Will Bolt has now led his alma mater to three conference titles and three NCAA Regional appearances during his six years in Lincoln. No different than when he was a player, Bolt’s teams play with passion and toughness, this was never more...
Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2028

Troy Sutherland
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Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 You like athletes? You like defenders who can impact a game at any given point? Look not further than this class as it's loaded from coast-to-coast with elite defenders all over the diamond.  C: Brogan Witcher, Bakersfield, CA Our scouting staff got several strong looks at Witcher whether that was at the Summer Kickoff, Sophomore National or the Underclass All American Games where he showcased his strong overall skillset and especially his advanced ability behind the plate. His 6-foot-3,180 pound build looks like one that will fill in quite nicely and be that big and physical catcher’s frame. His arm talent is undeniable where he gets it out quick and runs it up to 79 mph on throwdowns to 2nd (1.84 pop). Besides the standout catch/throw ability, we’ve seen him frame/receive strong arms and block it well during...
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