BURLINGTON, IA - Perfect Game Softball 2024 Toys 4 Tots Fundraiser Tournaments, December 7 - 8, 2024. On Saturday, 14u and 18u division teams converged on The Turf for a three game guarantee tournament to open up the holiday season. Sunday saw 16u and 18u squads take their shot at a title and bragging rights. We would like to thank all those who participated, and for those who donated toys, a special thank you, as those toys will be distributed to underprivileged children through a local charity organization. The following are some of those players that either earned awards, or finished the weekend on our Top Performers list.
SATURDAY
14U DIVISION
Earning the MVP and MV-Pitcher Awards was Brianna Schlapkohl (2029 Durant, IA) who is a two-way player for Midwest Sluggers ‘11, had herself a day in leading her team to the championship. In the circle, the RHP showed hitters a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, curve, screw, rise and drop, with a top velocity of 55 mph. Working the ball in all zones, Schlapkohl utilized nice movement and the ability to consistently hit spots to pick up 19 K’s in her seven innings of work. Schlapkohl gave up six hits, and showed good command of the strike zone while not giving up any walks, while only allowing one earned run to finish with a 1.00 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. At the plate, the right handed hitting Schlapkohl sets up in an open stance, sitting into her legs. She works back to parallel with a toe touch and then strides to get separation. Utilizing solid lower half movement, Schlapkohl showed good pull-side power in collecting four hits that included a double and two home runs. She scored five runs and picked up an impressive 11 rbi’s, finishing with a .571 BA and .667 OBP. This young lady is one to follow as she matures and continues to work on her skillset over the next few years.
Other players turning in top performances included Izobel Schwarz (2029 Long Grove, IA), a RHH for championship winner Midwest Sluggers ‘11. Schwarz loads into the box in a slightly open stance, leaning into the back side for weight transfer and utilizing a stride to generate separation. Showing pull-side pop, Schwarz picked up five hits on the day, with a couple of doubles and a home run. She scored four runs, knocked in five and worked pitchers for two walks and did not record a strikeout, to finish hitting at a .833 clip, with a .889 OBP.
Jade Varble (2030 Rock Island, IL), earned the third spot in the top performers list, being another fine hitter for Midwest Sluggers ‘11. Varble, hitting from the right side, sets up with a parallel stance with a deliberate lean into the backside to transfer weight. Working her hands inside the ball, Varble showed the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields in collecting seven hits that included three doubles. Varble scored six runs, knocked in three and displayed the ability to do damage with a pitch left in the zone, finishing with a tournament leading .875 batting average.
Harper Meyers (2030 Amana, IA) is a RHP for Blue Devils 14u. Meyers, with long levers, utilizes her lower half in the drive phase, and shows a consistent motion and delivery. Armed with a five pitch bag of fastball, change-up, drop curve, rise and drop, with a top velo of 52, Meyers utilizes movement and a plus change-up to keep hitters off balance. In her four innings of work, Meyers sat down seven via strikeout, did not allow a hit, gave up two free passes and allowed one earned run to finish with a 1.80 ERA and 0.50 WHIP. As this young lady matures and gains strength, with continued work on her craft, she will be a good follow for next level programs.
Lizzie Camp (2028 Douds, IA) is a RHP for Black Dragons 14u, and one that I had not seen pitch before. Camp, with good size, was a presence in the circle. Showing hitters a four pitch mix of fastball, change-up, drop curve and a two-seam, she topped out at 55 mph. With hitters swinging over the drop curve and her two-seamer showing a nice glove side run, Camp worked four innings and struck out five. She allowed three hits, walked three, but did not allow an earned run to finish with a 0.00 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. With continued work on her skillset, her motion and delivery will become more consistent, and this young lady will continue to have success in the circle.
18U DIVISION
Earning MVP honors was Pearson Hall (2025 West Liberty, IA), a LHH for tournament champion Black Ice Brewer. Hall, a recent Drake University commit, loads into the box in an athletic set-up staying tall. She works into her back hip gradually, as a timing mechanism, staying in her legs throughout her swing, she works her hands inside the ball and shows line drive power to all fields. On the day, Hall collected five hits and showed her speed by legging out four doubles. She scored four runs, and picked up seven rbi’s, finishing with a .625 batting average. Defensively, Hall, a MIF, shows good pre-pitch movement, a good first step to get to balls and solid glove work. She can throw from varied arm slots, with accuracy, to play either side of second base.
In earning the MV-Pitcher Award, Skylar Peterson (2026 Muscatine, IA) was a workhorse in the circle for tournament finalist, Monsters 18u-Chick. Working 14.1 innings on the day, Peterson sat down 22 batters via strikeout, while showing hitters a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, curve, screw, drop and rise. With a smooth repeatable motion and delivery, Peterson utilizes her legs in the drive phase and showed good arm speed while topping out at 63 mph. Peterson showed the ability to work both sides of the plate and run her rise just over the hands for several swing and miss attempts. On the day, Peterson gave up 3 walks and 6 earned runs, with most of the damage done by the eventual tournament champions, to finish with a 2.90 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. Here is an uncommitted 2026 that can make an impact at the next level.
Some other top performers included Kasey Kane (2025 Le Claire, IA), a C/ RHH for tournament champion Black Ice Brewer. Kane, a recent Iowa State University commit, takes a conventional stance in the box, leaning into the back side for weight transfer and then utilizing a stride to gain separation and generate momentum, showing good pull-side power. On the day, Kane picked up three hits that included two home runs. She scored three runs and collected 4 rbi’s. Showing discipline at the plate, Kane was able to work pitchers for four walks to finish with a .600 BA and .778 OBP. Defensively, Kane moves well behind the plate, shows good glove movement, working the ball up in the zone, and a plus arm with quick release. This young lady has the tools necessary to compete at the next level.
Brooklyn Teerlinck (2025 Bettendorf, IA) is a 1B/OF for Black Ice Brewer. Hitting from the left side, Teerlinck, a recent DMACC commit, loads into the box in a parallel stance, making a slow and deliberate move into the back hip as a timing mechanism, then gets separation through her stride. She does a good job of working her hands inside the ball and keeping her front side closed to deliver opposite field power. For her effort, Teerlinck picked up three hits, with two home runs, drew three walks, scored four runs and knocked in four on the day.
Besides the top hitters, Black Ice Brewer also had two of the top performing pitchers in the tournament. Carly Brewer (2025 Norwalk, IA) is a right handed pitcher who has committed to the University of Iowa. She displays a great pitching motion and delivery, very deliberate, never getting out of sync, with a powerful drive phase. Brewer has a fastball, change-up, drop and rise in her arsenal, but did not really have any need to change speed on this day. Topping out at 65 mph, Brewer relied on spotting her pitches and utilizing her rise during her six innings of work. She collected 14 strikeouts, with several of them being of the swing and miss variety, allowed two hits, and was consistently around the plate allowing no walks or earned runs. Brewer finished the day with a steller 0.00 ERA and 0.33 WHIP, showing true next level stuff.
Audrey Heller (2026 West Des Moines, IA) is another fine RHP for Black Ice Brewer. With long levers, and taking full advantage of the recently changed pitching regulations, Heller explodes off the rubber and shows hitters a five pitch mix of fastball, change-up, curve, drop and rise. Topping out at 64 mph, Heller showed a change-up, that she didn’t tip off to hitters, that floated in at 47 mph. In her 4.1 innings of work, Heller struck out seven, gave up two hits, two base on balls and one earned run, finishing with a 1.60 ERA and 0.92 WHIP. Also a threat at the plate, Heller, participating on day two, collected three hits with two home runs, scored two runs, knocked in five and finished with a .750 batting average. This young lady showcases tools that are next level ready.
SUNDAY
16U DIVISION
Earning the MVP award was Payton Harris (2028 Mediapolis, IA), a RHH/UTIL player for tournament finalist Black Dragons 16u. Harris sets up in an open stance, tall stance, coiling at the waist to get her hands back and develop tension, then utilizing a stride to get separation at launch. Harris showed pull-side power in hitting three home runs and two doubles in her six hits on the day. She scored four runs and knocked in seven, while hitting at a .750 clip. Although capable of playing several positions, along with developing as a pitcher, Harris appears to be the most comfortable when behind the plate. She shows good leadership qualities, good defensive glove and body mechanics, and the arm strength and agility to successfully excel at the position. A young lady worth keeping tabs on as she matures over the next few years.
Rachel Eglseder (2026 Edgewood, IA), earned the MV-Pitcher award for her work with tournament champion CIK 08s. The RHP Eglseder, at 5 '10”, is an opposing figure in the circle that utilizes her size and athleticism to her benefit. With a consistent motion and arm swing, Eglseder utilizes her lower half very effectively in the drive phase of her delivery. Showing hitters a mix of fastball, change-up, drop and rise, Eglseder spots her fastball in the zone and shows hitters a good rise. In her 10 innings of work, topping out at 59 mph, Eglseder struck out 16 and only surrendered one free pass. Although she allowed 10 hits, Eglseder was able to work out of any jams and only allowed two earned runs on the day, finishing with a 1.40 ERA and 1.10 WHIP.
Some other top performers included Shea Benhart (2028 Clarence, IA), a RHH for Blue Devils 16u. Benhart, setting up in a conventional stance, leans into the back side for weight transfer then takes stride to get separation and to get her lower half moving. With good use of her hips, Benhart showed a gap to gap line drive approach, but also showed some pull-side power. In picking up seven hits on the day, Benhart collected three doubles and a home run. She scored five runs and knocked in seven, did not record a strike out and finished with a .700 batting average.
Alaina Gahring (2027 Cedar Rapids, IA) is another Blue Devils 16u hitter that was near the top of the top performers list. Gahring, hitting from the right side, utilizes an open stance, sitting into the legs, she then uses a slight lean onto the back leg for weight transfer. Prior to launch, Gahring will use a toe touch to get back to parallel and then launch with use of a stride. Showing pull-side pop and ability to use all fields, Gahring picked up four hits on the day, all extra base hits with a double, triple and two bombs. She scored four runs, collected 3 rbi’s, one walk and no strikeouts, to finish with a .667 BA and .714 OBP.
Lily Nibaur (2027 Iowa City, IA) is a RHP for Blue Devils 16u who continues to show growth and maturity in the circle. Armed with a five pitch bag of fastball, change-up, curve, screw and drop curve, Nibaur worked on keeping hitters off balanced with pitch location and change of speed. In her eight innings of work she was able to collect 11 strikeouts, while showing a top velocity of 58 mph. Uncharacteristically, Nibaur did give up 12 hits, but kept her composure and worked her way out of any big innings, only allowing three earned runs on the day.
Leah Helmick (2027 Birmingham, IA) is a RHP for Black Dragons 16u, who took her team on her back and worked 16 innings to get her team to the championship finals. Showing a deliberate motion and delivery, Helmick worked a simple three pitch mix of fastball, change-up and drop to secure 14 strikeouts, while topping out at 59 mph. As Helmick tired later in the day, her mechanics became loose and she experienced some control problems as she attempted to continue to work the lower half of the strike zone. As this young lady matures and gains strength, her ability to remain consistent in her delivery and arm swing should help eliminate any control issues.
18U DIVISION
Julia Roth (2026 Dubuque, IA) put on a hitting display in earning MVP honors for tournament finalist, Lady Expos Blue. Roth, hitting from the right side, sets up in an athletic parallel stance, sitting slightly into her legs with a split hand grip on the bat. After a slight negative move to get weight transferred, Roth is aggressive with her stride to get separation and drive towards the pitch. Roth is quick to the ball and utilizes an aggressive attack angle and displays power to all fields. On the day, Roth collected seven hits, with an amazing six bombs, scored eight runs and knocked in eight. Showing the ability to hit for power and average, Roth finished the day hitting at a .700 clip. Also helping her team on the other side of the ball, Roth worked four innings in the circle, striking out five, while showing hitters a fastball, change-up, curve, drop and rise. Topping out at 62 mph, Roth gave up two hits, no walks, and allowed one earned run to finish with a 1.80 ERA and 0.50 WHIP. Not much more to say, the young lady can flat out play.
Earning the MV-Pitcher award was Chevelle Kingsley (2025 Davenport, IA), a RHP for tournament champion Monsters 18u-Verdon. Kingsley, working with a six pitch bag of fastball, change-up, curve, screw, drop and rise, shows hitters a deliberate motion, staying tall throughout her delivery with good use of her lower half. Kingsley worked 11 innings, striking out 13 hitters, effectively changing speeds and showing movement, while topping out at 62 mph. Kingsley also did work at the plate, picking up five hits that included two home runs, scored four runs and knocked in three, finishing with a .833 batting average and .875 OBP. It is surprising that this two-way 2025 has not yet found a home at the next level, as she has the tools to be successful and make an impact moving on.
Other players turning in top performances included Mariah Myers (2025 Ft. Dodge, IA), a RHH for Black Ice Brewer. Myers, a recent University of Iowa commit, sets up in a wide, slightly open stance, transferring weight with a low leg kick, and showing the ability to get the barrel to the ball quickly. On the day, Myers picked up four hits, all of which were home runs. She scored five runs, picked up five rbi’s, drew a walk and did not record a strikeout, finishing with a .800 batting average and .833 OBP. With her fundamentally sound swing, with little wasted movement, there is no reason to believe this young lady will not continue this success at the next level.
Alivia Gillespie (2026 Aledo, IL) is a LHH for Quad City Lady Hitmen who displayed a nice line drive, gap to gap approach at the plate. Setting up in a conventional stance, Gillespie showed good weight transfer and worked her hands inside the ball, keeping her front side closed, allowing her to drive the ball opposite field, with some pop. Gillespie picked up four hits, all for extra bases, with two doubles and two home runs, scoring four runs and collecting two rbi’s.
Lauren Vaske (2026 Farley, IA), is another fine pitcher coming out of the Lady Expos organization. Vaske, delivering from the right side, shows a smooth repeatable motion and delivery, with solid use of her legs in the drive phase, goes to work with a four pitch mix of fastball, change-up, drop and rise. In her nine innings of work, Vaske struck out 14, while showing a top velocity of 62 mph. She surrendered nine hits, walked two, and allowed six earned runs to finish the day with a 4.70 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.
Sophia Schlader (2028 Urbandale, IA), a RHP/1B for Black Ice Brewer, may be one of the nations most sought after two-way players in the 2028 class. Schlader, armed with a four pitch bag of fastball, change-up, curve and rise, is a true power pitcher, topping out this weekend at 66 mph. Displaying a fundamentally sound motion and delivery, Schlader worked three innings and struck out eight, showing hitters her rise that she threw in all levels of the zone. She allowed one hit, did not give up any walks and did not allow an earned run, finishing with a 0.00 ERA and 0.33 WHIP. This young lady, who is attending the USA Softball National Selection Event from December 12 -15, 2024, has a very high ceiling, with lots of interest from top Power 5 programs.