Perfect Game Midwest Meltdown

BURLINGTON, IA - Perfect Game Softball Midwest Meltdown January 5 - 7, 2024. Twenty-one teams, over 3 divisions, converged on the Fun City Turf to open up 2024 in pursuit of the first championships up for grabs. In the end, it was Iowa Elite Force 09 taking the 14u crown, TBSA Wahoos with the win in the 16u division, and the Wisconsin Bandits 18U QH taking the 18u title. Below are write-ups on the MVP and MV-Pitcher award winners and other top performers on the weekend.

14U Division

Lily Black (2027 Polk City, IA) is a R/R who showed she was a true two-way player in earning the MVP and MV-Pitcher Awards for tournament champion Iowa Elite Force 09. At the plate, Black sets up in the box with a slightly open stance, sunk down into her legs, and utilizes a low leg kick to get her weight back and gain separation. On the weekend, Black picked up nine hits, that included a double and three bombs, scored six runs, knocked in a tournament leading 13, and did not make an out via strikeout, finishing with a .750 batting average. In the circle, Black stays fairly consistent in her motion and arm swing as she shows hitters a five-pitch mix of fastball, change-up, drop, rise and curve. In her seven innings of work, Black sat down 14 batters via strikeout, only gave up four hits, but walked eight that led to her giving up five earned runs. As this young lady matures, gains strength, and continues to work on her craft, her velocity, currently sitting at 56 mph, and spin rates will improve, leading to her continuing to be a top performer as she advances through age division play. Definitely one to watch and follow over the next few years. 

Payton Harris (2028 Mediapolis, IA) is a C/IF for Black Dragons 14u Arrowood. Harris, hitting from the right-side, sets up in an open stance, hands set high, and utilizes a pre-pitch step back to transfer weight, and then a stride to gain separation. Utilizing a solid lower half, Harris gets her barrel through the zone with an aggressive attack angle, showing good extension and finishing high. For the tournament, Harris collected seven hits, that included a triple and three home runs, she scored seven times and picked up 12 rbi’s. Showing gap to gap power, and the ability to drive the ball out of the park, this young lady, as she matures as a hitter, will  develop some patience and should be able to hit for power and average. A 2028, already showing this current ability, will be drawing next level interest over the next few years.

Alexis Havlovic (2027 Bondurant, IA) is a RHH for tournament champion Iowa Elite Force 09. In the box, Havlovic utilizes an open stance and coils into the back hip before using a toe tap to stride for timing and separation. Hitting from a firm front side, Havlovic sprayed the ball around the field while picking up six hits that included two doubles and two home runs, while knocking in five. Showing speed and aggressiveness on the bases, Havlovic swiped 3 bases and scored a tournament high 11 runs. It was also that speed that put pressure on the defense that resulted in hurried miscues that allowed Havlovic to reach base on a few occasions.

Nikayla Davis (2027 Bondurant, IA) is a two-way player for Iowa Elite Force 09, who earned her way onto both the hitting and pitching top performers list. At the plate, Davis sets up in an open stance, rocking to get weight to the back side and then utilizing a stride to initiate the launch phase of her swing. Working her hands inside the ball, Davis showed opposite field power in picking up six hits, including a double, a triple and two home runs. She scored 7 runs and knocked in five. In the circle, keeping things simple, Davis went to work with a fastball, change-up, and curve. She showed the ability to spot her fastball, topping out at 54 mph, and keep hitters off balance with movement and change of speed. In her five innings of work, Davis struck out nine, allowed three hits, three base on balls and one earned run, finishing with a 1.40 ERA  and a 1.20 WHIP.

Sophie Rennecker (2028 Barry, IL) is a RHP for Midwest Adrenaline Navy. Utilizing a solid motion, delivery and arm swing, Rennecker went to work with a three-pitch mix of fastball, topping out at 58 mph, change-up and drop. In the circle for 9.1 innings, Rennecker sat down a tournament  leading 16 batters via strikeout. Finding success in moving her fastball  throughout the zone, to both sides of the plate, as well as changing speed, Rennecker was able to keep batters off-balance.  As this young lady matures and gains strength, with continued work on her craft, her skill set will continue to improve and she will continue to see success in the circle.

Charlotte Lowe (2030 Pleasant Hill, IL) a RHP for Midwest Adrenaline Navy, was one of the youngest arms in the tournament, but you wouldn’t know it by her performance. Armed with a five-pitch mix of fastball, change-up, drop, rise and screw, Lowe went to work and sat down seven batters via strikeout in her four innings of work. Hitting spots and changing speed were key to Lowe’s success, as she only allowed three hits and did not give up an earned run. If Lowe continues to work on her craft, she should expect to see her velocity and spin rates increase,  leading to more movement on her pitches, and continued success, as she matures and gains strength.

16U Division

Mia Volpert (2025 Springfield, IL) earned the MVP Award, for tournament champion Tbsa Wahoos 16u. The recent Southern Illinois-Edwardsville commit aided her team at the plate and in the circle. Setting up in the box with an open stance, Volpert leans to get weight into the back side, and utilizes her stride for timing and to gain separation. Her attack angle indicates a line drive approach, with the ball jumping off her barrel when she is on time. For the tournament, Volpert picked up 6 hits, that included two bombs, scored three runs, had three rbi’s and no strikeouts, finishing with a .750 batting average. In the circle, Volpert shows a five-pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop and curve, to batters. Topping out at 64 mph, Volpert worked eight innings and collected 10 strikeouts, gave up one base on balls and allowed three earned runs.

Aidan Dintelman (2026 Columbia, IL) earned the MV-Pitcher Award for tournament finalist, St Louis Chaos ‘08 Roth. The RHP Dintelman, utilizing a smooth repeatable motion, with great use of legs in the drive phase, and a consistent arm swing, showed hitters a 5-pitch bag of fastball, change-up, curve, rise and drop, recording a top velocity of 62 mph. Dintelman displayed the ability to spot her fastball throughout the zone, and keep hitters off balance with change of speed and her movement pitches. Working 11.2 innings, Dintelman recorded eight strikeouts, gave up seven hits, allowed three base on balls, and gave up one earned run, to finish with a 0.60 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP. This young lady has several tools that are necessary to be successful at the next level, and would be a good follow for next level coaches.

Averi Glosemeyer (2025 Marthasville, MO) is a R/R catcher for St Louis Chaos ‘08 Roth. Hitting out of the two spot, Glosemeyer sets up in an open stance, utilizing a step to load and stride for timing and to gain separation. Displaying good bat speed, working hands inside the ball, and  utilization of hips and torso in the turn, Glosoemeyer showed the ability to work the ball gap to gap. On the weekend, she collected 9 hits that included three doubles and a home run, scored five times, and knocked in three. Showing consistency at the plate, Glosemeyer finished the tournament hitting at a .692 clip.

Summer Branch (2026 Holts Summit, MO) is a two-way player for St Louis Chaos ‘08 Roth, earning her way onto the hitting and pitching top performers list. The R/R Branch, settles in at the plate in a slightly open stance, hinged at the waist, rocking to get weight transferred into the back hip, before moving to launch with stride. She works her hands inside the ball, showing good extension at follow through in collecting five hits. Branch picked up two doubles and a home run, scored one run, worked pitchers for three free passes, knocked in six and did not record a strike out. In the circle, showing a repeatable motion and delivery, she presented a seven-pitch mix of fastball, change-up, curve, screw, rise, drop and drop curve. Branch works both sides of the plate effectively, topping out at 60 mph, and has plus movement on her curve. In her 11 innings of work, Branch sat down 16 batters via strike out, allowed 10 hits, gave up one walk, and only allowed one earned run to finish with a 0.60 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. This young lady will get the opportunity to play at the next level.

Arion Lonergan (2025 Rock Island, IL) is a RHH for Illinois Bombers 16u. Although only collecting four hits on the weekend, that included a double and two laser’s for home runs, it didn’t take pitchers long to figure out to pitch around Lonergan. Standing in, in an erect, slightly open stance, Lonergan pushes weight to back side and then utilizes a low leg kick for timing and separation, before taking solid hacks with an aggressive attack angle. Showing patience at the plate, Lonergan picked up three base on balls as pitchers worked carefully around her, scored five runs and knocked in two, finishing with a .636 OBP. This young lady shows big pull-side power, and has a swing that can play at the next level.

Savannah Jacobs (2026 Altoona, IA) is a RHP, playing for Barracuda Aces 16u Jackson. Jacobs, utilizing a 5 pitch-mix that included a fastball, curve, rise and two variations of change-up, showed a repeatable motion and delivery, that on occasion would get out of sync as it appeared she tried to rush through her delivery. Jacobs worked 13.1 innings and sat down a tournament leading 30 batters via strikeout, primarily coming off the rise, which hitters struggled to lay-off of, or catch -up to as it rode above their hands. Topping out at 64 mph, Jacobs shows plenty of velocity and would benefit from showing hitters she has the ability to throw her off speed pitches for strikes. This young lady definitely has a next level skill set, yet still has room for improvement, which could make her even more dominating, and raise her stock with next level coaches. A great follow, should draw plenty of interest.

Addison Seitz (2025 Stronghurst, IL) continues to get work done in the circle for Illinois Bombers 16u. Seits closed out 2023 with an MV-Pitcher Award, and showed up in 2024, starting from where she had left off in 2023. Displaying the same smooth motion and consistent arm swing, Seitz works with a three-mix bag of fastball, change-up and curve, throwing them all for strikes to both sides of the plate. Showing an improvement in velocity, Seitz topped out at 61 mph, and struck out 18 hitters in her 13.1 innings of work.  Working consistently around the plate, Seitz gave up two free passes and only allowed two earned runs, to finish with a 1.10 ERA. This young lady is showing she can pitch, and be successful, at the next level.

Haley Helm (2027 Savoy, IL), a RHP for Tbsa Wahoos 16u, was impressive this weekend, pitching on a staff that included a DI commit, she sat second chair to no one. With a smooth delivery, with no wasted motion or energy, Helm got in the circle, armed with a fastball, change-up, curve and rise, and went to work. In her six innings of work, Helm struck out 10 hitters, showing hitters a fastball topping out at 62 mph, and an off-speed pitch that floated through the zone at 42 mph. Helm allowed three hits, gave up two base on balls and did not allow an earned run, to finish with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP.  This young lady pitched above her years, stayed within herself and just went out and did what she does, at a very elite level. Helm will be a great follow and will drum up lots of interest over the next several years.

18U Division

Tayler Baker (2024 Madison, WI) earned the MVP and MV-Pitcher Award as a LHH/RHP for tournament champion Wisconsin Bandits 18U QH. Baker, a South Dakota State University commit, sets up in the box in an open stance, transfers weight to back side with a pre-pitch step to get parallel, and then utilizes a stride for timing and to gain separation. Baker does an excellent job of keeping her hands inside the ball and her front side closed, showing big gap to gap power. On the weekend, Baker picked up eight hits that included two doubles and three home runs, scored eight runs and knocked in 11. Baker was equally as impressive in the circle, working with a mix of  two varied gripped fastballs, change-up and rise, to sit down 17 hitters via strikeout in her 10 innings of work. Utilizing a two seam fastball, which showed plenty of glove side run, Baker was able to get in on the hands of right-handed batters, which resulted in weak ground balls or swing and miss attempts. Baker, who topped out at 63 mph, allowed three hits, gave up 2 free passes, and did not allow an earned run, finishing with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.50 WHIP. This young lady may have the opportunity to make an immediate impact when she arrives on campus in Brookings next fall.

Kori Lincicum (2026 Ankeny, IA) is two way player Iowa  Nationals 16u, that finds herself on both the hitting and pitching top performers list. At the plate, the RHH Lincicum sets up in a parallel stance, somewhat squatting into the legs, and coils the torso to get weight transferred to her back side, then a stride to gain separation. With a line drive approach, Licicum moves the ball gap to gap and shows speed and aggression on the bases. In collecting her six hits, Lincicum had a triple and three home runs, scored six runs, collected 9 rbi’s, and stole two bases. In the circle, showing a fastball, change-up, curve and 2 seam, Lincicum worked 7.1 innings and picked up 14 strikeouts, with a top velocity of 62 mph.  Hitting spots with her fastball,  showing good glove side run on her 2 seam, and nice movement on her curve, Lincicum allowed three hits, gave up two base on balls, and only one earned run, finishing with a 1.00 ERA and a 0.68 WHIP. This young lady continues to impress on both sides of the ball, with next level tools.

Sophie Goerish (2026 West Des Moines, IA) just had one of those tournaments, as an individual, that you never want to forget, and you will always strive for it to  happen again. Goerish, a LHH for Iowa Nationals 16u, picked up six hits, that included a streak over two days, of going 5 for 5, with 5 bombs. Setting up tall in the box, Goerish utilized her stride for timing and to get separation, utilized her lower half to its fullest and hit from a firm front side, hands inside the ball, displaying big opposite field power. Her swing appeared effortless, the ball jumping off her barrel as she displayed great extension, taking her barrel through the zone and out with a high finish.

Marin Heller (2025 West Des Moines, IA) is a slick fielding IF for Iowa Nationals 16u. The RHH Marin, a recent Florida State University commit, stays tall in the box, slightly open. Utilizing a slightly narrow stance, Heller utilizes a stride to push weight back and then gain separation. Showing good bat speed, working hands inside the ball, Heller displayed gap to gap pop, with line drive lasers. In collecting eight hits, Heller picked up one double and two home runs, and knocked in four, and did not record a strike out, finishing with a .667 batting average. With the gift of speed, while being aggressive on the bases, Heller swiped six bases and scored six runs. Defensively, Heller showed good pre-pitch movement, good glove and footwork on ground balls, and the ability to make the throw across the infield from different arm slots.

Bella Coulman (2024 Neenah, WI) is a L/R outfielder for tournament champion Wisconsin Bandits 18U QH. The LHH slapper, a University of Wisconsin-Green Bay commit,  displays good footwork and barrel awareness in all facets of the slapping game, appearing equally comfortable laying down a bunt as utilizing a power slap. Coulman picked up eight hits on the weekend, that included two doubles, a triple and two home runs, scored seven times and had three rbi’s, hitting out of the lead-off spot. Being able to keep her front size closed and taking the ball deep in the zone, Coulman appears to be at her best when working the ball the opposite way. 

Madison Taeger (2024 Burlington, IA), a RHH playing for Nebraska Gold 319-Berning, sets up in the box slightly open, hinged at the waist, and coils to get weight transfer before utilizing her stride to get separation, before getting the barrel moving. On the weekend, Taeger collected eight hits, that included seven singles and a home run, knocking in four. On the bases, the recent University of Dubuque commit, swiped two bases and scored five runs, displaying decent speed and aggressive base running. Primarily a contact type hitter, Taeger did show the ability to drive one out of the yard this weekend, while finishing with a .667 batting average.

Emily Koranda (2025 Marion, IA) is a RHP for Nebraska Gold 319-Berning. Utilizing a very smooth motion and delivery, taking full advantage of the new pitching regulation that allows leaping, the recent Missouri State commit,  went into the circle with a five-pitch bag of fastball, change-up, rise, drop and curve. With  velocity topping out at 60 mph, Koranda worked 11.2 innings, recording 23 K’s, allowing nine hits, two base on balls and four earned runs, finishing with a 0.94 WHIP for her effort. Koranda had continued success with her rise, as hitters struggled to stay off of, as it jumped out of the zone. This young lady, with two full seasons remaining to improve before heading off to college, could find herself in the mix when she arrives on campus.

Lily Knutson (2026 Cedar Rapids, IA) is another RHP, for the pitching-rich Nebraska Gold 319-Berning. Knutson, with a six-pitch mix of fastball, change-up, curve, rise, drop and screw, displayed a repeatable, consistent, delivery and arm swing. Accustomed to seeing Knutson work her rise and change-up for strikeouts, she went to the curve for her out pitch this weekend. In her nine innings of work, with a top velocity of 62 mph, Knutson struck out 19, allowed three hits, gave up five base on balls, and one earned run. Finishing the weekend with a 0.80 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP, this young lady showed she has the skill set and ability that is looked for at the next level. 

Megan Button (2025 Middleton, WI) is a RHP for tournament champion Wisconsin Bandits 18U QH. Button, displaying a motion and delivery, without a lot of moving parts and wasted movement, brings a full bag of pitches into the circle with her. Utilizing a fastball, with varied grips, a drop, curve and rise, Button worked eight innings and collected 14 strikeouts, allowed six hits,  and gave up two earned runs, while topping out at 61 mph. There were not many pitches that Button threw that didn’t produce movement, including her two seamer that showed next level glove side run, but was able to stay consistently around the strike zone and did not allow a walk, finishing with a 0.75 WHIP.