Softball | Softball Showcase | 11/15/2022

PG Softball November Fall Showcase Notes

Perfect Game Staff

Brianna Brooks

Rachel Klipper

Photo: Perfect Game

Top Gun Gold KC took home the gold for the 16U PG November KC Fall Showcase, absolutely dominating their opponents, going 4-0 in pool play, outscoring their opponents 47-7. Leading them to victory was Paige Garetson (2025, Nixa, Mo.), the top performer this weekend offensively. Garetson regularly barreled up the ball in all of her 12 hits. This lefty legged out five doubles, while scoring 10 times and knocking in an additional 10 runs for Top Gun Gold KC, closing the weekend with a solid .800 batting average.

Right alongside her was Kelsie Donaldson (2026, Raymore, Mo.) of Top Gun Gold KC. Donaldson was steady at the plate, smacking out nine hits and a .600 batting average. This hitter presents a strong, athletic stance in the box, utilizing a solid lower half to generate explosive pop off the bat. Donaldson impressively crossed the plate 12 times, running out two doubles and smashing one home run out of the park. Her high zone awareness as a pitcher helps her to know when to be patient and when to jump on the ball, as shown in her four walks. Donaldson continues to be an amazing competitor in the Midwest.

Makenna Moore (2025, Grain Valley, Mo.) is a true two-way player for Top Gun Gold KC for both her performance at the plate and in the circle. Moore continues to show up at the top of the performance boards in the circle, recording 28 strikeouts in 17 innings, earning an impressive 0.76 WHIP. Moore has shown constant growth in her pitch development, quickening her speed and tightening her spins. This hurler has a lively swing-and-miss rise ball and a cutting screwball that closes right at the batter’s hands, leaving them jammed. Equally as impressive is her performance in the box with a wide, athletic stance that produces plus power and lift through the ball. Moore crushed out three doubles and three home runs, in eight of her hits, scoring six times and assisting in seven additional runs, closing out with a .500 average. A true prospect at the collegiate level.

Makena Hall (2025, Aurora, Mo.) was titled MV-Player in the 16U division for Louisville Lady Sluggers Lovelady for her spectacular performance at the plate. A catcher, Hall stood out behind the plate with strong fundamental skills both in glove work and blocking. She moves lightly behind the plate and quick out of the block to catch stealers on the throw with her cannon. That same power and agility is present in her hitting. Hall has a crouched stance with knees bent, at contact she is explosive, driving through the ball as proven in her 11 hits. Hall legged out three doubles and a home run, assisting her team in nine runs, scoring herself 11 times. Most impressive is her aggressiveness and high runner’s IQ on the bases, stealing seven bases. Hall is an all-around impressive player with a bright future in college softball.

-Brianna Brooks

Ashtyn Grissom (2023, Olathe, Kan.) earned the MV-Player award this weekend, as a utility player for the KC Peppers-Lazor. Grissom plays first, second and third base. Ashtyn is a strong, tall athlete standing at 5-foot-8. At the plate she had two home runs, seven hits, four runs scored and eight RBI.

Ashley Webb (2023, Tiffin, Iowa) of the Easten Iowa Barracudas is a left-handed pitcher who had 16 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings pitched. The fast whip of her arm along with her stride off the mound allows Webb to pitch 60-63 mph consistently. She works the rivers, up, down, and all corners of the plate, throwing all of her pitches for strikes.

Ashlyn Finarty (2023, Knoxville, Iowa) is a right-handed pitcher for the Eastern Iowa Barracudas. The Missouri Western State commit threw 60-62 mph, had 4 strikeouts this weekend and worked the rivers and all four corners of the zone. At the plate, the 5-foot-10 Finarty is a power house, with one homerun, nine hits, five runs and seven RBI.

Madison Hoffman (2024, Lee Summit, Mo.), a right-handed pitcher for Top Gun 05 STL, strung together 23 strikeouts in her 15 innings pitched. Earning two wins this weekend for Top Gun, Hoffman pitched a no-hitter against the KC Rebels, only allowing two walks and had 12 strikeouts in 5 innings. She controls her pitches well and is successful throwing her change, rise and drop for strikeout pitches. Her rise especially works and is hard to resist for the athletes facing her in the box. The uncommitted Hoffman was throwing 57-60 mph.

Brie Manwarren (2023, Garden City, Kan.) was an offensive leader for the KC Peppers-Lazor, with two home runs this weekend. She is packing power, as well as eyes for good pitches. Manwarren is patient at the plate and executes well under pressure, as she went 2-for-2 versus the Alliance Select, hitting one of her two home runs and scoring two runs. Brie is also a tall and lean pitcher for the Peppers, at 5-foot-7 she uses her legs to leap from the mound, closing the gap between her and the batters. She struck out 11 batters against Afa, allowing 7 hits and 2 walks in 7 innings.

Alexis Franklin (2024, Booneville, Ark.) is a pitcher I enjoy watching play, as she is calm and unshakable in the circle. Franklin has control over all of her pitches, throwing each of them for strikes, her go-to strikeout being her effective rise ball that will get even the most disciplined batters to take the bait. Alexis throws consistently at 58-62 mph. At the plate, Franklin had nine hits, nine runs scored and three home runs.

Baylee King (2023, Miami, Okla.) had a solid weekend for the Vision Elite 18U. King is a strong catcher and left-handed hitter. She has a wide stance and keeps her weight on her back leg, enabling her to transition that power into the ball, keeping her extension long through the zone. King finished this weekend with one home run, eight hits, six runs scored and five RBI.

-Kai Lane

The scrappy catcher Makayla Cox (2026, Kearney, Mo.) playing with Aces KC 07 had an average pop-up of 1.8 seconds, and was a true key role behind the plate. With an athletic build, she relentlessly covers first on plays to ensure nothing is missed. She dependably communicated with her team to ensure further success. At the plate, she had an even, wide stance with an average of .500 for the weekend.

Right-handed pitcher Brailyn Fox (2026, Savannah, Mo.) with Aces KC 07 throws with an average of 55 mph on top of a tricky change at 45 mph that often resulted in a swing-and-miss. On one occasion she had bases loaded with two outs and was able to put this change to use to finish out the inning. Her accuracy with the use of hammering corners had her winning at the plate.

Kate Landewee (2026, Kearney, Mo.) with Aces KC 07 made a mark at the mound with a 57 mph average and control of the ball with the ability to mold a pitch to accurately, on a dime, move its way back into the strike zone at the last second. Her accuracy shined through with only four balls for the weekend and 11 strikeouts.

-Rachel Klipper

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