Softball | Softball Tournament | 2/22/2022

Winter World Series Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff

Photo: Perfect Game

There were 18 teams in town this past weekend in Burlington, Iowa at the Perfect Game Softball 16U Winter World Series, with a great number of impactful players in attendance. The Bandits from Kaukauna, Wis. finished the tournament undefeated, continuously showing their prowess against the rest of the competition.

Gabby Fakes (2024, Fox Lake, Wis.) was named tournament MV-Pitcher for the tournament for the Bandits, while Sophia Bauman (2025, Grimes, Iowa) with the Iowa Outlaws Select 06 Andrews was named MVP of the tournament with an impressive 23 RBI.

Right-handed pitcher Avery Rost (2023, O'Fallon, Ill.), playing for the Tomahawks, was key on the mound this weekend. She was pitching anywhere from 43-58 mph, making it difficult for batters to have any predictions of what was to come. She finished with 21 strikeouts and only 4 walks for the tournament. To top it off, her curveball was most impressive as it tailed down near the end. She also hit fourth in the lineup at the plate, as she had a ready-to-hit mentality, attacking the ball with consistent hits to the middle of the ball.

Ruby Tarr (2024, Sidney, Ill.) with Illinois Ruthless showed huge range at shortstop, snagging hits that would typically be out of range. Her consistent glove was the glue to some successful games. She followed with some impressive swings at the plate, throwing her hands with natural ease at the ball that resulted in a home run.

Left-handed catcher Lexie Griggs (2024, O'Fallon, Mo.) with Texas Glory STL 24/25 was an asset behind the plate and at the plate. With an upright stance behind the plate, she was able to bend what could have been a ball into a strike. In the event her pitcher wins at the plate, she is the first to jump and congratulate her to keep the heat rolling. At the plate, she puts her all into each hit, driving her hips and striking through the middle of the ball.

Talia Lavorato (2024, Clive, Iowa) with Iowa Outlaws Select 06 Andrew shows a presence at the plate with a keen eye and an aggressive stance, ready to strike at the ball. She fights to get her pitch and once there, she drives through throwing her hands at the ball and she's quick on the bases. She uses her high energy all over the field, whether it be behind the plate keeping her pitcher up or in the dugout cheering on the batter for a transferred boost of energy. Behind the plate she is quick to pop up or down to use her body to block when it is needed.

Grace Blakemore (2024, Edwardsville, Ill.) with Illinois Ruthless was a true utility player, making her way around the field and yet at each position excelled. In right field she was able to jump on a ball to throw the runner out at first base. She also showed the ability to track some tailing fly balls with ease.

Addie Bowers (2023, Saint James, Minn.) with MN Waves- Nessler 16U was painting corners effortlessly. She was touching 62 mph and ended the weekend with 49 strikeouts. Her consistent accuracy helped lead her team to third place to finish up the tournament.

Brinlee Ostrander (2024, Eldon, Iowa), a 5-foot-1 catcher with the Mudd Dawgs, was a standout with her speed coming in handy behind the plate. A passed ball was no problem for her to jump on and ensure runners did not have the time to proceed to the next base. Her framing capability came in handy too, grabbing some strikes for her pitcher.

Ryleigh Albers (2024, St Charles, Mo.), a catcher with STL Comets 23/24, presents a certain confidence behind the plate when she sees the ball before it is even there, giving her the advantage to set up accordingly for each pitch.

Right-handed pitcher Karly Meredith (2025, Kaukauna, Wis.), playing for the Bandits, played a pivotal role on the mound this weekend, touching 64 mph, and showed the importance of accuracy with her 42 mph changeup that batter's often watched go by. On more than one occasion she had innings with no hits. At the plate, she pounds the ball dead center with a wide stance, ending the weekend with 2 home runs and 8 RBI to show for it.

Lydia Ettema (2023, Peosta, Iowa) with Nebraska Gold – Sandknop is a utility player in countless places for her team. As a middle infielder you can count on her for any close play to follow through with a chuck to first. As a pitcher touching 62 mph with a changeup at 35 mph, she makes a mark that brings her team up. At the plate, she shows off exceptional bat mechanics that result in consistent hits that her team can count on to get things heated up.

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