16U PG Elite 40 KC

Perfect Game Softball

Tournament Re-Cap

16U PG Elite 40 KC

March 25-26, 2023

Shawnee, KS

16u

Our Champions, Select Fastpitch 15u Wobel, very own Mia Kliethermes (’25 Freeburg, MO) stole the show winning MVPitcher of the weekend. Having 11 innings pitched under her belt with only allowing four hits and tallying up 18 strikeouts, I would say that award was rightfully earned. Each of her pitches compliments the other and keeps a consistent velo of 59-61 mph. Being 5’11” helps with her ability to lengthen her stride and pipe the ball in the zone.

Kate Landewee (’26 Kearney, MO) was a big bat in the lineup for Aces KC 07 over the weekend. Kate uses her strength in her lower half to force the ball hard across the diamond. She also does well making it look easy hitting oppo. Landewee covers all corners of the plate with her barrel keeping the defense guessing where its going to be placed. Overall a solid batter in the Aces lineup finishing the weekend with seven RBIs.

Hailey Deffenbaugh (’25 Weston, MO) is a capable middle infielder, with her quick feet and reaction she covers a lot of ground. Deffenbaugh is a very smart heads up player, when she is one the dirt, always thinking ahead before the pitch. Offensively, she is consistent, going 7 for 9 with four singles, two doubles and a homerun for Diamond Club Premier- Gordon. She is an effective all around athlete.

Nebraska Echoes 14u Rasmussen may be young but they came to play. Kyra McGrain (’26 Elkhorn, NE) was the definition of clutch for the Echoes on Saturday afternoon. Mcgrain sat back relaxed and drove the ball up and out to give her team the lead going into the last inning. Pressure was nonexistent in her vocabulary when she entered the box. McGrain’s composure will only become more reliable as she matures. Another Echoes that will only become more of a danger as she matures is RHP, Ryleigh Parris (’26 Omaha, NE) in the circle. Parris keeps herself unpredictable with the mix of movement on her pitches and an average speed between 49-54 mph. She has a strong drop curve that keeps batters swinging and the ball untouchable. She finished off the weekend with 13.2 innings pitched and 25 strikeouts.

RHP, Teya Speltz (’25 Van Meter, IA) with Nebraska Echoes 16u Madsen was a force to be reckoned with in the circle. She paints the corners of the plate with her pitches and works every inch of the strike zone. Speltz keeps her pitches consistently in the 57-59 mph range, helping her finish off the weekend with 17 innings pitched, leading the showcase with 33 strikeouts and only two batters walked. Speltz has a bright future in the circle ahead of her.

Kylie Baumgard (’25 Norfolk, NE) is the vocal leader for Nebraska Venom Parsons/ Hislop. She makes sure to let the defense know where to go with the ball and communicates well with her pitchers. Behind the plate, she has the ability to get rid of the ball quickly without losing zip on her throws. When she is behind the dish, she keeps a close eye on the basepaths and isn't afraid to backpick or step out in front of home plate to ensure the runners retreat. On offense she holds down the 2 hole in Venoms lineup with a little pop as she kicked off her weekend with a 2 run home run.

Brooke Mora (’26 Independence, MO) with Original J2 in the batters box shows great discipline and does well transferring the power through her lower half through the ball. When Mora gets on she will take the extra base if her defense isn’t paying attention. Plus speed and reaction on the base path to top it all off.

RHP, Kendall McCoy (’25 Ozark, MO) worked the circle for Tenacity, having 10 innings pitched underwear belt with 15 strikeouts and only 3 batters walked. McCoy kept batters guessing with what was coming next. McCoy kept her lineup of pitches at the 52-54 mph range and he off speed dropped to the 47 mph range. In the batters box she is a determined slapper, she keeps her barrel level on her power slap to lift it out of the infield and just out of reach of the outfielders. Her slapping ability joined by her plus speed makes her any defenses nightmare on base.

Marleigh McDonald (’27 Smithville, MO) may be young but she has great promise on the diamond for Top Gun 2027. She reads her defense with motivation to find her way on. Not only are her hands quick to adjust on the bat for slap placement but her feet are quick on her way to first. She has a strong variety of options in the batters box from her bunting to chop slaps, keeping the defense on their toes. As McDonald matures she will only become more of a threat in the lineup.