Softball | Softball Showcase | 3/23/2022

Elite 32 Showcase Scout Notes

Brianna Brooks

Photo: Perfect Game

The outdoor season officially got underway in the Midwest this past weekend. Thirty-two teams met together in Chesterfield, Mo. at Chesterfield Athletics Association for three action-packed days of softball. Nearly 70 games were played between 16U and 18U in this double-elimination showdown, where two teams got to take home the title of Elite 32 Champions.

16U

Undergoing enduring wind chill and rain late Friday night into Saturday, one team reigned champion among the 17 teams for the 16U division, wrapping up the weekend with a sunshine-filled Sunday. Stl Stix 05 went home with the championship trophy after starting off pool play with a 1-1 record. Their victory was led by MV-Pitcher, Daleigh Cairns (2023, Arnold, Mo.). Cairns put two wins under her belt this weekend, consistently working in the 54-56 mph range. She sat down four batters in 10 innings.

Facing them and taking second was Top Gun Gold STL 05, having gone 2-0 in pool play. Avrey Reynolds (2023, Holts Summit, Mo.) was named MV-Player for her talent both in the circle and at the plate. Reynolds works consistently in the 56-58 mph range and complements her fastball with a 57 mph curveball. In 24 innings, Reynolds earned 18 strikeouts, finishing with a 1.97 WHIP. Even more impressively, at the plate Reynolds presents a quick cut and massive lower body strength, producing plus power, helping her to rack up 16 hits. Her impressive stats for the weekend include one home run and 13 RBI.

Another talented hurler is Aubrey Scieszinski (2025, Adel, Iowa) for Alliance Select Cox. This young 5-foot-5 RHP shows great potential in the circle, with solid movement and spin. She currently throws 54-56 mph, but what keeps her a threat is her curveball that finishes on the outside corner, producing swing-and-miss action. These skills assisted her in 25 strikeouts within 22 innings and a 1.10 WHIP. A bright future for this 2025 pitcher.

Our last standout pitcher for the 16U division belongs to the Louisville Lady Sluggers Arnold. Alayna White (2024, Wentzville, Mo.) is a 5-foot-8, uncommitted sophomore who just recently came off an injury but showed no setback. White does a fantastic job of working both sides of the zone. In 16 innings, she sat down 28 batters with a curveball that finishes right down the river. In these next few years, after building up some more speed behind her pitches, White will undoubtedly be successful at the collegiate level.

Samarra Purdy (2024, Des Moines, Iowa) is an elite hitter for Alliance Select Cox. Purdy shows great fundamental mechanics at the plate and has a strategy in each at-bat. Purdy has a taller stance, with slightly bent knees and balanced weight in the lower half. She does an excellent job of staying high on the ball, driving the ball deep in each connection. Purdy closed out the day with 12 hits in 18 at-bats, including two dynamite bombs over the outfield fence, totaling seven runs and six RBI for the weekend.

Midwest Intensity Murphy’s offense was led by Teryn Brown (2024, Troy, Mo.). Brown had an outstanding performance at the plate going 12-for-13. Brown has a quick, simple cut with a strong base to work with at the plate. Brown shows the ability to get her hands through the ball, getting the bat through the zone and completing extension. This aided in 12 hits, five RBI, and crossing the pay station 11 times for Intensity.

Sophia Otten (2025, New Haven, Mo.) keeps that rally going for St. Louis Chaos. Only being an eighth grader, Otten shines above her competitors for her presence in the box. Otten sets up with a wide base, with a quick weight transfer in the lower half, she easily clears her hips through, allowing her hands to drive the ball. Otten plays early in the zone and gives a beautiful lift after contact. This ability helped her to tally up ten hits in 13 plate appearances and knocking in three RBI, crossing the plate four times.

Safiya Butler (2024, St. Louis, Mo.) possesses elite speed and ability, making her a showstopper offensively. Butler is a small-ball queen with the talent to put the ball into play and outrunning the defense. It doesn’t matter where she puts the ball on the field, she’s getting one or two bases every time, pushing the defense to make errors. With a combination of speed and skill, Butler had 10 hits, assisting in nine runs for St. Louis Heat- Leigraf.

18U

All seven teams in the 18U division had a fantastic weekend, including a young 14U team – Top Gun 14U - Slezak. The 18U division was invaded by the St. Louis Heat organization, but St. Louis Heat Gold – Leigraf was the last team standing, finishing pool play undefeated.

MV-Player was Heat’s Allison Leigraf (2022, Manchester, Mo.). Having gone 7-for-10 at the plate, Leigraf led the team offensively to victory. She was responsible for 16 runs, whether personally crossing the plate or driving in a teammate. St. Louis Heat Gold – Leigraf outscored their opponents 23-5.

After a rough start in pool play going 0-2, St. Heat 22/23 – Stichling never gave up and fought through the championship game, finishing in second. MV-Pitcher was given to Madi Stichling (2022, High Ridge, Mo.), who struck out 11 batters in 12 innings. Stichling works consistently in the 52-54 range, utilizing her curveball to keep batters chasing.

St. Louis Heat 04 Zimmer was among the finalists, outscoring opponents 16-7 in pool play. Offense was led by Elliana Gianino (2023, Eureka, Mo.). Gianino has a strong lower half that assists in driving the ball deep to the outfield. Gianino absolutely smashes the ball with plus power and torque, giving her the ability to spray the field with extra-base hits, having gone .500 on the weekend. This uncommitted junior crossed the plate seven times while hitting in five more.

Her teammate, Brooklynn Fischer (2022, New Florence, Mo.), was right alongside her with incredible power in her swing. Fischer annihilates the ball, having sent four over the fence. Fischer was also responsible for a walk-off inside-the-park home run taking them deeper into the winner’s bracket. This lefty does an elite job of driving all the way through the ball, plus she has speed that gets her extra bases. Fischer also dominates the circle having finished the weekend with 1.6 WHIP, striking out 12 in 15 innings.

Another standout in the 18U division was Jazmin Reinkemeyer (2022, Jefferson City, Mo.) for Missouri Bombers Gold 18U. Reinkemeyer was successful at the plate in seven of her 13 appearances. Reinkemeyer has an athletic stance, with smooth weight transfer, and a great feel for the barrel. She launched three bombs and knocked in 15 runs for the weekend.

Our last writeup goes to left-handed pitcher for Missouri Premier, Lucy Pratt (2024, Monroe City, Mo.). Pratt utilizes a strong leg drive and quick circle movement. Throwing a multi-pitch variation, Pratt works in the 59-61 mph range, having the quickest velocity seen this weekend. Her speed and movement assisted her in striking out 17 batters in 15 innings, earning a 1.91 WHIP.

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