Softball | Softball Tournament | 2/4/2022

Burst The Bubble Scouting Recap

Perfect Game Staff

Photo: Perfect Game

Huge talent from all over the greater Midwest gathered together, representing Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, to compete in Perfect Game Softball’s Burst the Bubble in Burlington, Iowa. There were 24 16U and 18U teams facing off in our three-day tournament at FunCity Turf.

16U Division

The 16U division featured 12 teams, all playing three long days of softball, divided into two pools. Saturday night games finalized pool play, with CIA 16U and Iowa Aces claiming the No. 1 seed in their pools, both with a 3-0 record. More impressively, Iowa Aces allowed zero runs through pool play. By Sunday night, Iowa Aces faced Top Gun Gold Stl 05 in the championship game. Top Gun Gold Stl 05 dominated at the plate, out-hitting their opponent, ending in a 4-1 victory in the 16U bracket of Perfect Game Softball's Burst the Bubble.

Ashley Ware (2023, Manchester, Mo.) was awarded tournament MV-Pitcher, and absolutely owned the circle this weekend. In 16 innings, Ware struck out a whopping 30 batters, and also knocked in seven RBI, including two homers for Top Gun Stl 05. This young, elite prospect is an all-around player and competitor. Sitting around 55 mph, Ware owns a solid pitch-mix variation and commands the zone, finding each corner of the plate. Her biggest asset is a lively rise ball that jumps to the ceiling of the zone. Offensively, Ware has a fantastic cut that consistently produces pop for power.

MVP was given to Iowa Ace’s Jaidan Abel (2024, Urbandale, Iowa). The sophomore right-handed pitcher helped lead her team to the championship game both in the circle and at the plate. In 14 innings, Abel sat down 20 batters with a solid pitching performance, including a curveball that cuts right into the river. With a four-plus pitch repertoire, Abel allowed only eight hits the whole tournament. Offensively, Abel has a simple swing, short to the ball, with great extension, spraying the field. She finished the tournament with one home run, nine RBI, and four runs scored.

Another amazing player from this weekend includes Top Gun Gold Stl 05's Sofia Birkenholz (2023, Saint Peters, Mo.), who is a fantastic two-way player. As an infielder, Birkenholz shows heart and hustle, knowing the next play, and making diving catches. Her offensive talent is even more impressive. With a picture-perfect cut, Birkenholz makes clean contact and gets big hits. In 15 at-bats, this slugger finished the weekend with a .600 average including six RBI, seven runs scored, and three out-of-the park homers. Huge future for this athlete.

Teammate Maddie Guevara (2024, Washington, Mo.) has massive zone awareness, with plate discipline with every at-bat and jumps on mistake pitches. Guevara puts the ball in play and makes this happen on the field. This catcher and third baseman closed the tournament with nine hits, six RBI, seven runs scored, and six stolen bases.

Iowa Ace’s Caedence Risius (2024, Des Moines, Iowa) is a standout right-handed pitcher with a huge pitch-mix variation, including a late-breaking screw that rides the rivers. She has a fastball velocity of 54-56 mph and a rise ball that jumps through the zone. Risius collected 20 strikeouts in 14 innings. Offensively, she had a presence at the plate, helping her team rack up seven runs scored, plus three RBI.

CIA 16U is a team of dynamite hitters, including Macee Reiling (2024, Dallas Center, Iowa), who went 7-for-14 this weekend at the plate. Reiling has a strong lower half, clears her hips, and gets her hands through the ball. This young hitter smacked in eight RBI and crossed the plate eight times. Reiling stands out on the field as a middle infielder. This 5-foot-3 second baseman has huge range on her opposite glove side, making multiple diving plays up the middle. A huge prospect for middle infield. Her teammate, Reese Burke (2024, Grimes, Iowa), led the tournament offensively with nine hits, 13 RBI, and five runs scored, with three being home runs. This 5-foot-11 slugger has a beautiful cut, short to the ball with a long extension and a powerful lower half, giving her extra power.

18U Division

There were 12 teams represented in the 18U Division at Perfect Game Softball's Burst the Bubble, and at the end of day Nebraska Gold 319 - Berning and Illinois Espirit 04 were left undefeated, going 3-0 in pool play. Team Heat Softball 18U - Lowe beat out Illinois Espirit 04 to meet Nebraska Gold 319 - Berning in the championship game in a close battle. In the end, Nebraska Gold 319 - Berning was victorious with 3-2 win.

MV-Pitcher was given to Nebraska Gold’s Emma Nibaur (2022, Iowa City, Iowa), who led her team to an undefeated weekend. This right-handed pitcher has a great mix of pitches that makes her successful, including a fantastic break in her rise ball that produces swing-and-miss and a nasty off-speed at 38 mph. Nibaur racked up 12 strikeouts in nine innings.

Her teammate, Ava Curry (2024, Oskaloosa, Iowa), was given tournament MVP for her performance at the plate. This is Curry’s second season as a switch-hitter on the left side, and has a huge future. As a 5-foot-5 hitter, Curry has a disciplined approach at the ball, and with solid zone awareness, she walked six times. When given the chance, she does an amazing job keeping her hands inside the ball and driving it to the opposite field. She closed out the weekend with eight trips across the pay station and five RBI.

Another standout player for Nebraska Gold 319 - Berning is Caelynn Obleton (2022, Marion, Iowa). This small and mighty hitter consistently puts the ball in play with a short, simple, effective cut. Obleton has a great feel for the barrel, getting complete contact and driving it to all areas of the field. In the circle, this right-handed pitcher plays her position and keeps the batters chasing with a solid off-speed and a closing rise. Her impressive stats include eight hits, one homer, four RBI, and four runs scored.

Peyton Paulsen (2023, Dubuque, Iowa), playing for Team Heat Softball 18U - Lowe, shined above the rest for her speed in the circle, maxing out at 64 mph. She plays low in the zone, with a drop that keeps the ball on the ground and in the infield, trusting her defense to make plays. She has a huge range of movement with an off-speed, a fantastic screw that cuts in at batters, and a closing rise. With this bag of tricks, she led the tournament with 18 innings pitched, shutting down 24 batters.

Quad City Firebirds 04 were led to the semifinals by Maddy McDermott (2023, Walcott, Iowa). Going 8-for-13, McDermott has a great feel for the barrel, leading the 18U Division in home runs with three total.This 5-foot-11 hitter also knocked in five RBI and six runs. In the circle, McDermott had 11 appearances and struck out 16 batters. Avery Budde (2022, Damiansville, Ill.) hit her team, Illinois Espirit, into the semifinals with tournament-leading stats including 10 hits in 13 at-bats, with two home runs, four RBI, and seven runs scored.

-Brianna Brooks

PERFECTGAME.TV

Give us your feedback

Softball | Softball Tournament | 6/25/2026

PG Stars Over Florida Showcase 18U Division

Erica Beach

PG Stars Over Florida Showcase 18U Division Clearwater, FL June 13-14, 2026 CLEARWATER, FLORIDA- Perfect Game Softball made its official debut in the state of Florida this past weekend at Eddie C. Moore sports complex. The weather was perfect, and the atmosphere was right for some great softball. We had many college coaches of all levels attend and our National Scouting Director was on hand to evaluate and highlight the athletes. We are excited for future events and the ability to promote and highlight the great athletes in the southeast! Below we highlight the 18U division where multiple athletes stood out. 18UDivision Oakley Riley (2027, SS/UTL, Dade City, FL) of the Lady Bombers- Bowling was a standout player all weekend. She is an athletic and versatile athlete who is a great combination of speed and power. Offensively, this right-handed hitter has an...

Press Release | Press Release | 8/18/2026

Perfect Game & Delano Partner Up

667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PERFECT GAME NAMES DELANO BAT COMPANY OFFICIAL WOOD COMPOSITE BAT PARTNER, LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION BAT SERIES Delano Bats will serve as the Official Game Bat of the 13U Select Festival, taking place this coming weekend in East Cobb, Georgia Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, August 18, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with Delano Bat Company, LLC, naming the company an Official Wood Composite Bat Partner of Perfect Game. The partnership will feature three exclusive limited-edition bat releases, which began with the Original Glory American Flag Bat in celebration of the United States' 250th birthday, that...

Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: NL Central

Tyler Henninger

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West | AL Central With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. NL Central Chicago Cubs Grade: 40 Risk: Medium Notable Selections: RHP Cade Townsend (1st rd) | OF Caden Sorrell (2nd rd) | 1B Myles Bailey (2C) RHP Cade Townsend (@OleMissBSB) sat 95-96 T97 w/ riding FB from fast arm. Nasty cutter at 88-91 is the go-to, showed biting 2 pln SL. Low-80s top to bottom CB & CH ~ 1300 RPM to round out mix. Has had a great spring & risen up boards. Soph./'26 elig. @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/TAFbM37f5j — PG College...

Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL Central

Joey Cohen

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. AL Central Cleveland Guardians Grade: 45 Risk: Moderate Notable Selections: RHP Liam Peterson (1st rd) | Tre Broussard OF (3rd rd) | RHP Savion Sims (7th rd) Liam Peterson (@GatorsBB) has been pure power stuff through the first 3.0 IP in his start vs Bama…imposing his will on hitters with a fastball that has grabbed 100 mph a few times, backed up by his power slider and curveball @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/RVThNrdMTn — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) May 21,...

High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott Wins MVP Two Ways

Jim Salisbury

PHILADELPHIA – When the folks at Perfect Game reached out to invite him to pitch in the 2026 PG All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors, Cullen Scott had one request. “You mind if I get a couple of at-bats, too?” Along with his dad, Scott traveled from the family’s home in Texas to Citizens Bank Park. The trip proved to be a huge success as he starred on the mound and at the plate and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Scott, 16, pitched a scoreless first inning and struck out two. In the fourth inning, he belted a grand slam six rows up into the left-field seats to lead the National team’s 6-1 win over the American team. “He showed us why he’s here as a pitcher and a hitter,” said Greg Sabers, PG’s vice president of scouting and showcases. "He’s one of the top pitchers here, but he’s too good a...

All American Game | Story | 8/16/2026

Romero Slams His Way to Classic MVP

Jim Salisbury

PHILADELPHIA – Sunday’s DICK’s Perfect Game All-American Classic was a pitching-dominated affair until the bottom of the eighth inning when the rain started to fall at Citizens Bank Park and Koa Romero stepped to the plate and did his best impression of Kyle Schwarber. Romero wears No. 12, just like Schwarber. He bats left-handed, just like Schwarber. He’s got big power, just like Schwarber. And at 5-10 and a rock-solid 225 pounds, he’s even built like Schwarber. Needless to say, Schwarber is Romero’s favorite player. So, it was all kind of storybook when Romero belted a grand slam to dead center to cap off the scoring in the West team’s 8-3 win over the East club in the 24th annual Classic. “This is a dream come true,” said Romero, who was named MVP of the game. “It’s amazing to be able to put a ball like that out of a...

All American Game | Story | 8/15/2026

A Philly Dream for Steingall

Jim Salisbury

PHILADELPHIA – Carson Steingall had been to Citizens Bank Park many times over the years. After all, he hails from Nazareth, Pa., about 90 minutes up the road from the home of the Philadelphia Phillies and he counts himself as a big fan of the team. Zack Wheeler is his favorite. Steingall realized a dream when he pitched from the same mound that Wheeler does in Perfect Game’s fourth annual All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors on Friday. The dream got even better when Steingall, a 16-year-old right-hander, was named Most Valuable Pitcher after striking out the side in the third inning of the National team’s 6-1 victory over the American team. “It’s just an honor to be here,” Steingall said after receiving his trophy. “This event is the best of the best. It’s really cool to win something like this.” Steingall, who’ll...

Showcase | Story | 8/13/2026

PG Honors Pat Gillick With Philly Showcase

Perfect Game Staff

Perfect Game to honor Pat Gillick in new Philadelphia Showcase By Maya Heyman Perfect Game is bringing its elite showcase experience to Philadelphia’s FDR Park for the inaugural Philly Stars/Pat Gillick Showcase this weekend, honoring one of the greatest executives in MLB history in the city where he constructed his final of three World Series winners. The event will take place on Sunday, the same day as the DICK’S All-American Classic, taking place just across the street at Citizens Bank Park. The showcase will allow Philadelphia-area players to gain exposure and will also honor Gillick, who has been a tremendous influence in both professional and amateur baseball. Jered Goodwin, Vice President of Scouting Operations for Perfect Game, said the idea came naturally. “Going to Philly made a lot of sense to honor Pat Gillick, who's been a...

General | General | 8/13/2026

PG All-Star Game Heads to Philly

Jheremy Brown

For the fourth time since its inception in 2023, two rosters comprised of the best rising juniors (and a handful of rising sophomores) will step out onto the field Friday afternoon, kicking off the All-American weekend. While the Perfect Game All-American Classic is slated for a 1:35 first pitch at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, 36 future hopefuls of the Classic will go up against one another in an American vs National clash at 11 AM Eastern, Friday morning. With 36 players from across the country descending on Philadelphia, there will be plenty of familiar names in attendance as 24 of the 36 played in at least one PG Select Festival and all 36 attended either the he Sophomore National, Junior National, or the PG Underclass All-American Games this summer. Leading the charge are a pair of No. 1s in 2028 dynamic talent Dexter McCleon Jr and 2029 Macgraw VanWormer, a do-it-all...

Tournaments | Championship | 8/12/2026

Pokers Rally to Capture 16U BCS Title

Alyssa Golden

Pokers Rally to Capture 16U BCS Title A hot afternoon at JetBlue Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida ended in a 9-1 victory for the Original Florida Pokers 2028 National, defeating SBA Bolts Florida 2028 National on Monday to capture the 16U BCS National Championship. A pitchers’ duel kept the game scoreless through four innings before the Pokers broke it open with a five-run fifth inning. The title marked the Pokers’ second 16U BCS Championship, adding to the championship they won in 2022. Despite a slow start to the summer, the Pokers found their stride at the right time. “We struggled a lot early in the summer, but the past few tournaments we really started turning it on,” Pokers head coach Will McCrimon said. “I’m just so proud of these kids.” Max Maynes started the game on the mound for the Pokers. The left-hander allowed three hits and two walks...

Draft | Story | 8/11/2026

Realistic Expectations of a 1:1 Pick

Tyler Henninger

Over the 2026 draft cycle, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky was the projected No. 1 pick throughout the entire cycle. White Sox fans began #RochWatch and were already talking about when he will make it to Chicago. Now that he has been selected, Cholowsky has immediately become a Top-10 prospect in all of baseball. There is no denying the hype, and the pressure, for Chowlosky to get to the big leagues and produce at a high level. But how realistic is that? Let’s take a look back at past 1:1 selections and see what you can expect from a No. 1 overall selection. For this exercise, we’ll look at No. 1 overall picks from the bonus pool era, excluding Eli Willits from 2025 since this is his first full year of pro ball. That gives us 13 players selected from 2012 through 2024. Almost All Become Big Leaguers The first thing that stands out is how successful No. 1 picks...

Loading more articles...