IOWA CITY, IA - 2024 Perfect Game Softball Iowa City Scouting Showcase Series # 2, September 28 - 29, 2024 saw 36 teams spread over the 14, 16 and 18u divisions, to play a guaranteed five, 80-minute games, with no bracket play involved. Teams were met with sunny, but windy conditions, and unbelievable fall temperatures in the low 80’s. As this was the last outdoor Perfect Game Softball Showcase in Iowa for the 2024 season, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the organizations, teams, players, and parents for choosing to play Perfect Game. Although there were many standout performances, below we are highlighting a few of the weekend's top performers.
14U DIVISION
Caringtyn Horstmann (2028 Bennett, IA) is L/L OF for Texas Glory IL. Horstmann sets up in an open stance, leaning into the back-side to transfer weight and then utilizes a stride to gain separation and to get back to parallel. With a line drive approach, and hitting the ball to all fields, Horstmann picked up eight hits, that included an impressive five doubles, a triple and one home run, scoring nine times, picking up 4 rbi’s, and swiping two bases, for her effort. Finishing the weekend hitting at a .571 clip, this young, with continued work on her skill set, should continue to impress at the plate as she moves through age classifications.
Kiley Besson (2028 Davenport, IA) is another young hitter for Texas Glory IL. The right handed hitting Besson, with a slightly open stance and getting into her legs, showed good utilization of her lower half. Besson collected seven hits on the weekend, with four doubles and a home run, knocking in four and scoring five runs. Showing good discipline at the plate, and a good understanding of what she is trying to do at the plate each at bat, Besson did not record a strikeout, finishing with a .636 batting average and a .692 OBP.
Karoline Hasson (2029 Geneseo, IL) is the third hitter from Texas Glory IL to make the top performers list. Hasson, hitting from the right side, showed a solid athletic set-up in the box. Leaning into the back side to get separation, she does a good job of getting parallel with her stride and displays good extension through the zone after contact. Hasson picked up five hits, that included a triple and a homer, scored 5 runs and knocked in seven. She stole two bases, drew a couple of walks and did not record a strikeout, finishing with a .500 OBP
Paige Davis (2029 Cedar Falls, IA), a RHH for Cik2011s, displayed great patience at the plate and did a good job of making pitchers work during her at bats. Setting up conventional in the box, with a wide base, Davis sits slightly into her legs, leans to gain weight transfer and then minimal stride to get separation before letting her hands go. Although only collecting five hits, with a double, triple and home run, Davis also picked up five base on balls, scoring two runs, and knocking in nine, to finish with a nice .625 batting average and huge .769 OBP.
Kenadi Kniffen (2028 Cedar Rapids, IA) is a L/R MIF for the Cedar Rapids Reds. Hitting out of the one spot, Kniffen set up tall in the box, feet parallel, shifting weight back and utilizing a stride to get separation and fire the hips. She will also get her feet moving and slap out of this same setup, but appears a little tentative when using the slap. Kniffen showed she is at her best when working the ball middle to left center and collected nine hits, with one double. She scored seven runs, picked up three rbi’s, and swiped an impressive six bases. Although she did not record a strikeout, and finished with a .563 batting average, this young lady, with continued work on her skill set, and gaining patience at the plate, will see her average and OBP definitely increase.
Harper Hrubes (2029 Shellsburg, IA), a RHP for Cik2011s, displayed a solid compact motion and delivery, with quick arm swing, while showing hitters a three pitch mix of fastball, change-up and drop, which she could throw all for strikes. Keeping things simple, Hrubes worked the ball throughout the zone and effectively changed speeds, to keep hitters off balance. Topping out at 56 mph, Hrubes worked seven innings, striking out 14 batters. She allowed six hits, gave up one base on balls, and surrendered two earned runs to finish with a 2.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.
Brianna Schlapkohl (2029 Durant, IA) is a RHP for Midwest Sluggers ‘11 who gets in the circle with a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop, curve and screw. With a consistent motion and delivery, Schlapkohl, topping out at 57 mph, worked 11.2 innings and sat down 12 via strikeout, showing hitters a nice change-up and late moving curve. Drawing some tough assignments, Schlapkohl scattered 13 hits, gave up three free passes and allowed seven earned runs after leaving some pitches out over the plate, and finished with a 1.37 WHIP.
Charley Courson (2029 Moline, IL), a RHP for Texas Glory IL, displayed a repeatable motion and delivery, with good use of her lower half in the drive phase. Courson showed hitters a four-pitch mix of fastball, change-up, curve and rise in her nine innings of work striking out six. Topping out at 53 mph, Courson found success in hitting spots and working both sides of the plate. Courson allowed 5 hits and gave up five base on balls, but was able to stay out of big innings and only allowed one earned run to finish with a 0.80 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.
Harper Morrison (2029 Waverly, IA), a RHP for Cik2011s, had a top velocity of 57 mph, and worked hitters with a three-pitch bag of fastball, change-up and curve. Morrison displayed a consistent delivery and arm swing in her five innings of work, utilizing good leg drive in the push phase of her delivery. Moving the ball around in the zone and changing speed, Morrison struck out six, allowed three hits, walked one and gave up one earned run to finish with a 1.40 ERA and 0,80 WHIP.
Brielle Anderson (2029 Cedar Rapids, IA) is a RHP for Blue Devils 14u. With a consistent delivery and motion, utilizing her lower half to its fullest, Anderson closes distance to the hitter with the use of a long stride in her delivery. At times appearing to get off balance, Anderson’s arm swing stayed true and she was nearly always around the plate. Showing hitters a fastball, change-up, rise and screw, Anderson worked 9.2 innings, striking out 11, while having a top velocity of 56 mph. I was not advised Anderson threw a curve, but she showed movement into left handed hitters, which I assume with no curve being thrown, was glove side run on her fastball. Anderson finished the weekend giving up 13 hits, not allowing any walks, and giving up five earned runs to finish with 3.60 ERA and 1.34 WHIP.
16U DIVISION
Sam Brunner (2027 Muskego, WI) is an athletic L/R MIF, with speed, for Wi Bandits 16u Sabish. Brunner, who sets up in an open stance, sitting into her legs, collects at the rear foot to transfer weight and then strides to get separation and momentum. Brunner also showed some slapper footwork in the box, but while being observed she did not attempt a slap. Brunner collected a showcase leading 13 hits that included two doubles, a home run and an amassing five triples. She scored 11 runs, picked up 10 rbi’s and stole five bases. Finishing the weekend going 13 for 14, Brunner hit at a.929 clip and had a .933 OBP. This young lady displayed high level skills that can play at the next level.
Taylor Schwenn (2027 Clear Lake, IA) is a RHH catcher for Barracuda Aces 16U Doty, with an athletic build perfect for her defensive position. Starting from a slightly open stance, Schwenn leans into the back side and utilizes a slight coil to get weight transferred and move her hands back, then strides for even further separation. Schwenn displays quick hands and gets the barrel to the ball in the zone, with good extension and follow through. Collecting eight hits with a double, triple and home run, Schwenn scored six runs and picked up nine rbi’s to finish with a .889 batting average and .818 OBP.
Isla Brower (2028 West Des Moines, IA) is a RHH for Iowa Aries 16u Ce. With an open stance and hands held high, above her ears, Bower steps back into parallel for weight transfer and then strides to start her launch. On the weekend, Bower had nine hits with a double, triple and home run. She scored six runs, amassed seven rbi’s, stole a base, drew a walk and only struck out one time. Showing good discipline and consistency at the plate, Bower finished with a .750 batting average and a .769 OBP.
Hayden Thomas (2027 Granger, IA), hitting from the right side, starting in a conventional stance, if feet parallel can be considered conventional with so many young ladies opting for an open stance, shows good weight transfer and works hands inside the ball, hitting to all fields. Thomas can get around the bases as evident in the three triples she legged out from her six hits. She scored five runs and recorded 10 rbi’s. Thomas swiped three bases, drew a walk and recorded one strikeout to finish the showcase with a .750 batting average and even better .800 OBP.
Grace Zvara (2027 Grafton, WI) is an athletic L/R catcher for the Wi Bandits 16U Sabish. Setting up with a solid foundation in the box, Zvara looks comfortable and appears to understand what she is trying to do with each at bat. Displaying good barrel awareness, and extension through the zone, Zvara picked up eight hits that included four doubles, as she moved the ball gap to gap. She scored six runs, knocked in eight, worked the pitcher for two free passes and only struck out one time. For her effort, Zvara compiled a .667 batting average and a .714 OBP.
Allison Giese (2027 Sun Prairie, WI) is a RHP for Wi Bandits 16u Sabish, who showed a very consistent and fluid motion and delivery, with solid use of her lower half in the drive phase. Giese went to work and showed hitters a four pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise and curve in her eight innings of work. Topping out at 58 mph, Giese worked a late moving, tight spinning curve and a deceptive change-up to help her record 13 strikeouts. In allowing seven hits, six free passes and four earned runs, Giese kept emotions in check and displayed a calm demeanor in the circle, finishing with a 3.50 ERA and 1.63 OBP.
Payton Harris (2028 Mediapolis, IA) is an athletic young lady that is better known for her hitting and her work behind the plate, but showing her athletic ability, and labeled by her coach as “a work in progress” Harris, a RHP, took to the circle. Armed with a fastball, change-up, curve and drop curve, She worked six innings, topping out at 54 mph and picked up three strikeouts. Harris displayed a pretty solid motion and delivery, which at times looked a little tentative, but was still able to get outs for her team. Harris only allowed three hits, did not give up any walks or earned runs, finishing with an unblemished ERA and a 0.50 WHIP.
Aaliyah Glenn (2028 Urbandale, IA), a RHP for Barracuda Aces 16U Doty, has a smooth motion and delivery, with consistent arm swing, and as expected with top performing pitchers, great use of her lower half. Glenn gave hitters a look at a fastball, change-up, rise and curve during her eight innings of work, to get nine strikeouts. Topping out at 59 mph and showing hitters a late moving curve, Glenn found success when she was able to keep the ball off the middle of the plate. Glenn allowed 10 hits, walked four and gave up five earned runs, finishing with a 1.75 WHIP.
Olivia Doty (2028 Clive, IA) is a RHP for Barracuda Aces 16U Doty, who starts her delivery with a deep hinge at the waist, hands hanging down in front of her, nearly touching the ground. She then brings the hands to her waist and, utilizing a good leg drive, finishes her delivery with a consistent stride and arm swing, showing hitters a three pitch mix of fastball, change-up and rise, with the rise appearing to be her go-to pitch for strikeouts. In her 9.1 innings of work, Doty sat down 13 batters via strikeout, while topping out at 59 mph.
Kennady Johnson (2027 Cedar Rapids, IA), a RHP for Iowa Gold Mathews, was only called upon for three innings of work, so she made the most of it. Topping out at 55 mph, Johnson showed a consistent motion and delivery, while showing hitters a four pitch bag of fastball, change-up, drop and drop curve. Working the ball down in the zone, Johnson elicited several ground balls, as hitters had a tough time barreling up her pitches. For her efforts, Johnson allowed two hits, did not give up any free passes and did not allow an earned run, to finish with a 0.00 ERA and 0.67 WHIP.
18U DIVISION
Lady Expos Blue had several in the Top Performers Batting list but leading the pack was Jolee Strohmeyer (Dubuque, IA 2026). Strohmeyer is very relaxed and confident in the box, daring the pitcher to give her anything close to hit. Once in motion, Strohmeyer does an excellent job of using her lower half, utilizing a slight leg kick to gain forward momentum. In the field, Strohmeyer is a very versatile player that can play the corners, middle infield and pitches. Also finishing among the top pitchers on the weekend, Strohmeyer does a great job hitting corners and mixing in her movement pitches which include fastball, change-up, curve, drop and rise. Through 10 innings pitched, Strohmeyer struck out 15 and only allowed two earned runs. At the plate, Strohmeyer finished her weekend with 11 hits, including four doubles, two triples, a homerun and 11 RBIs. Strohmeyer has the skills and ability to play at the next level.
Julia Roth (Dubuque, IA 2026) also of the Lady Expos Blue, finds herself again amongst the Top of the Batting Performers list. Roth’s consistency weekend after weekend is what is most appealing about this player. Her confidence at the plate and ability to pitch and play the field at a high level are traits that any college coach would love to have on their team. Roth displayed her power, hitting a tournament high three homeruns and finished the weekend with 11 RBIs.
Aunya Van Zetten (Urbandale, IA 2025) of Iowa Elite Red executed her role as leadoff hitter perfectly including a 4 for 5 performance against the Iowa Slammers on Sunday. Van Zetten’s ability to hit the gap paired with her speed, helped the athlete finish the weekend with nine hits, which included four doubles and a homerun. A 2025 that is still available and has the tools to play at the next level if she chooses don’t miss out on this player.
Ella Brown (Cedar Rapids, IA 2025) of the Kennedy Cougars 18u had her power on display this weekend. A multi-sport athlete that also excels on the wrestling mat, Brown has a slightly open stance, gets her hands quickly through the zone, and drives off her back hip. Brown finished her weekend with five hits, three of which were homeruns.
Colbie Tenborg (Des Moines, IA 2026) of Iowa Elite Force Funderburk was one of the most athletic players seen this weekend. Tenborg, a state champion wrestler, is a true utility that excels anywhere you play her. Showing speed and ability to run down balls in the outfield, range in the middle infield and quick pop time and a strong arm behind the plate. Not only does she shine on defense, her speed and power help her excel offensively as well. Tenborg has a very simple line drive approach at the plate, but she does not cheat herself at all and utilitizes her legs and quick hands to get through the zone through extension. Tenborg finished the weekend with seven hits, which included a double, a homerun and seven RBIs. Tenborg has a lot of potential and has not even reached her ceiling yet.
Audrey Heller (West Des Moines, IA 2026) of Black Ice Brewer is a promising athlete that excels both on the mound and at the plate. Heller batting in the two hole for her team, was a consistent batter that came through to bring runners around and also did her job getting on base. Utilizing a slightly open stance, Heller uses a small rock back before coming forward to gain momentum. Once power transfer has started, Heller gets her hands through the zone quickly and has the ability to hit for power as well as hit the gap. Offensively, Heller finished the weekend with seven hits, including two homeruns and six RBIs. In the circle, Heller boasts a five-pitch arsenal that includes a fastball, change-up, rise, drop, and curveball. Her fast ball is consistently in the low 60s and topped out at 63mph. Heller will only get better as she continues to gain strength and perfect her craft. Heller finished with 14 strikeouts through 9 innings pitched. An athlete that has not yet reached her ceiling and definitely one to keep an eye on.
Tiffany Taylor (Des Moines, IA 2028) of the Iowa Dynamite was impressive both offensively and in the circle. Taylor still a 2028, with plenty of room to still grow, was working with a five-pitch arsenal that including fastball, change-up, drop, rise, curve and a drop curve. Her fast ball topped out at 62mph but its her ability to work the corners and mix in her movement pitches that sets her up for success. Finishing at the top of the pitching leaderboard, Taylor struck out 22 in 11innings pitched and only allowed one walk. As Taylor continues to grow and mature in her game, she will be one to keep track of.
Peyton Stineman (Cedar Rapids , IA 2027) of Iowa Elite Red is another athlete that is not new to scout notes. Starting in a lower crouch position to gain momentum and explode off the mound, Stineman’s fastball comes in consistently in the upper 50s and topped out at 61mph. Through 14 innings pitched, Stineman struck out 19 nineteen and only allowed two walks. Stineman’s ability to mix in her change up and work the corners is what makes her so successful. Stineman can play at the next level if she chooses to do.
Ada Wood (Keokuk, IA 2025) of the Monstars 18u-Verdon is a left-handed pitcher with promising ability. Using her 5 pitches of fastball, drop, rise, curve and change-up, Woods works consistently in the lower 60s and topped out at 63mph Utilizing her spin pitches and staying on the corners can work to her advantage. Woods will be a highly effective pitcher once lowering her walk rate. Keep an eye on Woods, she could be a great addition to any pitching staff.
Sadie Schultz (Dubuque, IA 2026) of the Lady Expos Blue showed off her power and ability to get on base this weekend. Starting in an open stance, Schultz uses a slight step for transfer of weight and does a great job on extension through the zone. Working the count to her advantage, Schultz walked four times. Using her ability to drive the ball to the gap for extra bases as well as hit the long ball for homeruns, Schultz finished the weekend with nine hits, including three doubles, a homerun and five RBIs. Another great athlete from the Lady Expos Blue team that has a spot on a college roster if she chooses to do so.