18U PG Softball Griffon Indoor 

January 28th, 2023 

As we prepare for the upcoming outdoor season, Midwest teams met up in Saint Joseph, Missouri to compete against elite talent and gauge where they are currently and what can be improved for the tournaments to come. The KC Rebels 18U National-Ingle came out with 3 wins, and the Jags Select finished with 2 wins and 1 loss. The tournament MVPlayer was awarded to Payton Drefke and the MVPitcher was awarded to Anna Stesia Ballew, congratulations to everyone who came out and played hard! 

Payton Drefke (2024, Ankeny, IA) was named most valuable player this weekend, Drefke had a day at the plate. She had 5 hits out of 6 plate appearances, 2 of those hits being home runs, and picked up 4 RBIs for her team the Jags Select. Peyton’s wide base stance and hands that travel through the zone with her swing staying tight to her body allow her to hit any ball on the inside or the outside of the plate.

Anna Stesia Ballew (2025, Lenexa, KS) was named most valuable pitcher of the weekend, which was well deserved considering in her 6 innings total she had 7 strike-outs and threw a no-hitter against Premier Fastpitch. Ballew had her rise, curve, screw, and drop all working in her favor this weekend, her spin is tight and she has control over not only her pitches but her demeanor on the mound; which is so important as a pitcher! She worked in the 54-60 mph range with her curveball hitting 60.

Jordyn Kennedy (2026, Ankeny, IA) for the Jags select had a great weekend offensively and on the mound. She had 6 plate appearances, during those ABs she had 4 hits, 4 RBI, and 1 homerun. She starts with an open stance and as the pitch comes in, she plants her front foot, loads in her legs, and travels long through the strike zone with her bat. Kennedy’s strength stands out, she is athletic with speed, and she plays first base when she’s not pitching. Jordyn pitched 3 innings total, 2 against the KC Rebels with 3 strikeouts, allowing 2 hits and 1 walk. She threw 59-61 MPH with her curveball consistently at 60 MPH.

Pilar Cox (2025, Leon, KS) from the Select Fastpitch stood out because of her work ethic. She is consistent on the mound and gives 100% on every pitch. Cox worked the rivers with her curve, screw, rise, and change, she lived in the 54-58 MPH range. Pilar explodes hard off the mound, stands stall, keeps her arm tight, in good form, and pitches with confidence.

Ella Shafer (2023, Stillwell, KS) is a talented right-handed pitcher for the KC Rebel’s 18 National-Ingle, in 3 innings against the PSA. 5 foot 7 Shafer allowed 0 hits, 1 walk, and struck out 6 batters. She utilized a screw, a drop, and a curve at 60 MPH. She is enjoyable to watch because of her maturity in the circle, she trusts her teammates behind her to make the play and focuses on hitting her spots and doing a job on the mound for her team.

Kai Lane 

@Scoutlane11