2025 Perfect Game Softball Burst The Bubble Tournament, January 24 - 26, 2025

BURLINGTON, IA - Twenty three teams, participating over two age divisions, began play Friday evening. It wasn’t until Sunday evening, after the smoke cleared from some excellent softball action, that two champions were crowned.  It was the Wisconsin Bandits organization leading the way with Wi Bandits 16u Sabish taking the title in the 16u Division, needing ITB to outlast Wisconsin Bandits National-Heintz 4-3. In the 18u Division, with several Division I committed players scattered throughout rosters, it was anyone’s tournament. In the end, it was Wisconsin Bandits 18u National-Laabs, with the 2-0 win, over the Cedar Rapids Saints to claim the championship banner.

16U DIVISION

Earning the MVP Award was Sam Brunner (2027 Muskego, WI) a LHH for tournament champion Wi Bandits 16u Sabish. Brunner, setting up slightly open, sits into her legs and is hinged at the waist. With a leg kick she gets weight transferred, develops timing, and gains separation. Working her hands inside the ball, Brunner has a solid line drive approach at the plate that resulted in her picking up eight hits, with three doubles and a homerun. Brunner appears at her best when working the ball middle left, but did show the  ability to pull the ball. She scored seven runs, knocked in two, stole three bases, and drew a walk to finish with a stellar .800 batting average. With solid swing mechanics and the ability to play more than one position, this young lady is an athlete that will receive next level attention over the next couple of years.

Megan Hochkammer (2026 Manitowoc, WI), a RHP for tournament finalist Wisconsin Bandits National-Heintz. Hochkammer, with a consistent motion and delivery, showed good use of her lower half in the drive phase while working with a simple three pitch mix of fastball, change-up and rise. Hochkammer, a power pitcher, went right at hitters while topping out at 62 mph. In her 15.2 innings of work, she struck out a tournament leading 25 batters, utilizing the rise as her main strikeout pitch, working the ball just out of the zone at the plate. Although the rise was attributed to her strikeout total, the same pitch, if hitters laid off of it, led to Hochkammer giving up nine free passes. Combining the walks with the 13 hits given up, Hochkammer allowed nine earned runs to finish with a 4.00 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. To be sure, Hochkammer faced some stiff competition in pool and bracket play, and was able to secure wins for her team.  This young lady, with continued work on her skillset will continue to improve, and as she showed this weekend,  has the ability to win at this level and play at the next level.

Other players turning in top performances this weekend include Rachael Andrews (2027 Cedar Rapids, IA) is a two way, LHH/LHP for CIK 08s. Andrews sets up in the box slightly open with a wide stance, sitting deep into her legs. She rises up out of this squat to lean back to get weight transfer and then utilizes a stride to get separation. Andrews utilized the whole field and showed power to all fields,  collecting nine hits that included three doubles and three home runs. She scored six runs, drove in eight, and picked up two walks to finish with an impressive .900 batting average. In the circle, working a five pitch mix of fastball, change-up,drop, curve and screw, Andrews struck out 18 in her 13.2 innings of work, topping out at 62 mph. A two way athlete, with next level abilities, to follow over the next couple of years.

Lily Doerr (2026 Lake Mills, WI) is a RHH for tournament finalist Wisconsin Bandits National-Heintz who sets up in a wide, slightly open stance, sitting into her legs. She makes a slight shift forward before leaning back into the back leg utilizing a toe touch, before striding to gain separation and launch her swing. On the weekend, Doerr picked up six hits that included a double and a home run to score five runs and knock in six. She failed to record a strikeout and worked pitchers for three free passes, finishing with a .462 batting average and .563 OBP.

Kayley Schlapkohl (2027 Durant, IA) plays for Midwest Sluggers 09. Hitting from the right side, Schlapkohl sets up in an open, narrow stance.  She is quick to the ball and when she gets back to parallel via her stride, she easily barrels up pitches.  Schlapkohl picked up four hits that included two doubles and a home run to score four runs, and knock in six to finish the weekend hitting at a .444 clip. If Schlapkohl continues to work on her craft, she will improve her mechanics that will lead to her more consistently barreling up pitches in the future.

Callie Diekhus (2028 Plover, WI) is a MIF for the Wisconsin Stingrays. Diekhus, hitting from the right side, sets up in a slightly open stance. She leans into the back leg to transfer weight and then uses a stride for timing, to gain separation and develop momentum for the swing. Diekhus picked up four hits that included a double and a home run, scoring six runs and collecting 2 rbi’s, finishing with a .500 batting average. This young lady, as she matures and gains strength over the next few years, with continued work on her skillset, would benefit with development of patience at the plate, always looking to hit her pitch.

Allison Giese (2027 Sun Prairie, WI) earned the tournament MV-Pitcher Award, as a RHP for tournament champion Wi Bandits 16u-Sabish, really shined in the circle this weekend. With a smooth and consistent motion, Giese stays tall throughout her delivery and keeps her arm speed up, utilizing her lower half to top out at 61 mph. In her nine innings of work, she showed hitters a five pitch bag of fastball, change-up, rise, curve and two -seamer with nice arm side run, to strike out 19. Giese was consistently around the plate, staying ahead in the count and gave up four hits, one base on balls and allowed one earned run to finish with an impressive 0.60 ERA and 0.42 WHIP. Here ya go coaches,  a 2027 with next level stuff.

Addison Quackenboss (2027 Verona, WI) is a RHP for tournament finalist Wisconsin Bandits National-Heintz. Quackenboss, while topping out at 58 mph, displayed a smooth motion, with good use of her legs in the drive phase, showing hitters a four pitch mix of fastball, change-up, curve and screw. In her 11 innings of work, she sat down 18 batters via strikeout, utilizing a nice curve with high spin and late break.  Quackenboss allowed nine hits, gave up six walks and allowed seven earned runs to finish with a 4.50 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. 

Aaliyah Glenn (2028 Urbandale, IA), playing for Barracuda Aces 16u Olson, is a RHP that displayed a very repeatable and smooth motion and delivery, with great utilization of her lower half in the drive phase. Glenn showed hitters a four pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise and curve. In her seven innings of work, Glenn struck out 11 hitters, displaying the ability to do so with her change-up, rise or curve, equally as well.  Topping out at 59 mph, Glenn allowed 2 hits, gave up four free passes and allowed two earned runs to finish the tournament with a 2.00 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. This young lady has shown steady progress in her pitching, mechanically, physically, and mentally, and with continued work on her craft, she is definitely a next level follow.

Lanie Batterson (2027 Eddyville, IA) is a LHP for Southeast Iowa Allstars 16u Brandenburg. Batterson displays a consistent motion and delivery, while showing hitters a simple four pitch mix of fastball, change-up, drop and rise. In her eight innings of work, Batterson struck out 10, while topping out at 61 mph, but it was her change-up that threw off hitters' timing, as she doesn’t tip off the pitch and she is able to throw it consistently for strikes. She allowed five hits, walked three and gave up two earned runs, finishing with a 1.80 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Another young lady who will continue to gain strength and improve her skill set as she matures, that is worthy of next level consideration.

18U DIVISION 

Casey Navarro (2025 North Prairie, WI) earned the MVP Award for tournament champion, Wisconsin Bandits 18u National-Laabs. Navarro, a C/1B,  sets up in a relatively narrow, open stance, and utilizes a slight coil to get some separation, before using her stride to transfer weight and generate timing and momentum. Navarro, an Illinois College commit, showed good use of her lower half and definitely has a “get the ball in the air approach” with an aggressive attack angle. Of the seven hits she collected, Navarro picked up three doubles and three bombs, showing good pull-side power, to score seven runs and knock in six. She shows discipline at the plate, working pitchers for a couple of walks, and appears to have the skill set to put up good power numbers and still hit for average, as she finished the weekend hitting at a .700 clip. This young lady has the ability to make an immediate impact for the Lady Blues when she gets on campus.

Braylen Conlon (2025 Toddville, IA) , a LHP for tournament finalist Cedar Rapids Saints, earned the MV-Pitcher Award. Conlon, a Western Kentucky University commit, utilizes a smooth, repeatable motion and delivery in showing hitters a five pitch bag of fastball, change-up, rise, drop and curve. Topping out at 63 mph, Conlon worked 10 innings and struck out 21 batters, with none more impressive than a Saints semi-final win in which she tossed six innings, sitting down 15 via strike out. On the weekend, Conlon allowed three hits,  gave up six free passes, but did not give up an earned run to finish with a 0.00 ERA and 0.90 WHIP.  With her current velocity, ability to change speeds, and spin the ball throughout the zone, Conlon displayed the tools that will allow her to be successful at the next level.

Other players that made an impact this weekend include Mylie Hatfield (2026 Ankeny, IA), a RHH/RHP for Iowa Outlaws Select. Hatfield, a South Dakota State University commit, sets up tall in the box with a narrow base, hands held high. She drops into the back leg for weight transfer and strides for separation. Taking healthy cuts, with aggressive attack angle, Hatfield is not working for ground balls. Of her tournament leading nine hits, she picked up three doubles and three home runs, scored five times and had seven rbi’s to finish with a .818 batting average. With a couple of seasons to continue to develop before Hatfield arrives on campus in Brookings, she can put herself in position to make an immediate impact at the next level.

Lexi Clendenen (2026 Indianola, IA) is a RHH for Southern Iowa Savage. The athletic Clendenen sets up in a slightly open stance, sitting into her legs, utilizing a lean to get weight transferred and then stride for separation and timing. On the weekend, Clendenen showed she can work the ball to all fields in picking up five hits. With a line drive approach, she collected two doubles and two home runs, knocking in five. She scored 5 runs, swiped a couple of bases and drew two walks to end with a .556 batting average, but a .636 OBP.

Aubrey Lensmeyer (2025 Ankeny, IA) is a two-way R/R, for Iowa Outlaws Select. The South Dakota State commit, sets up in a conventional stance, sitting into her legs and utilizes her stride to get weight pushed back before gaining separation and momentum. With good use of her lower half, Lensmeyer showed the ability to hit the long ball, in picking up three bombs in her six hits. She scored four runs and knocked in five, finishing at an even .500 for the weekend. In the circle, working with a fastball, change-up, drop, rise and curve, Lensmeyer worked six innings and collected 11 strikeouts while topping out at 59 mph. This young lady is an athletic, versatile player that has the ability to help her team in multiple ways.

Miah Berhenke (2026 Hampton, IL) is a RHH for Nebraska Gold 309, who continues to display the ability to hit the ball hard. Setting up nearly parallel, weight sitting into legs, utilizing a slight coil to get some separation and weight transfer, Berhenke takes a small stride and has the ability to get the barrel quickly to the ball. Picking up four hits, that included a double and two home runs, she knocked in six and scored four times. In drawing two walks, she finished with a .500 batting average and .600 OBP.  It is obvious pitchers attempt to work around Berhenke when possible, but by developing patience at the plate, she can hunt her high percentage pitches to improve her power numbers and batting average.

Hayden Gookin (2027 Mount Vernon, IA) is a RHP for Southern Iowa Savage, who should see her stock rise with this tournament performance. Armed with a five pitch mix of fastball, change-up, drop, drop curve, and rise, and facing line-ups scattered with several committed Division I hitters, Gookin went to work showing hitters a smooth motion and delivery, while topping out at 59 mph.  In her 13 innings in the circle, she struck out a tournament leading 25 batters, while scattering nine hits, allowing three walks and giving up 5 earned runs to finish with a 2.70 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.  With good size, and the work ethic and desire to improve her skill set, this young lady has more in the tank, and is a 2027 that next level coaches need to keep tabs on.

Carly Brewer (2025 Norwalk, IA) is a RHP  playing for the Norwalk Varsity Warriors who consistently appears on the top performers list, and for good reason.  The University of Iowa commit is a force in the circle showing hitters a fastball, change-up, drop and rise while topping out at 65 mph.  In her 10.1 innings of work, Brewer sat down 19 via strike out, gave up seven hits, walked four and allowed one earned run to finish with a 0.70 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. Do not be surprised if you see this young lady work her way into the Hawkeye pitching rotation when she arrives on campus.

Mallorie Kreuser (2025 Fitchburg, WI) is a RHP for tournament champion Wisconsin Bandits 18u National-Laabs.  Kreuser, with fluid motion and delivery, utilizing her lower half in the drive phase, showed hitters a four pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise and drop curve. Topping out at 57 mph, Kreuser worked eight innings and struck out 16, working pitches throughout the zone with movement to keep hitters off balance. She allowed three hits, gave up one free pass and did not allow an earned run.  The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point commit finished off the weekend with a 0.00 ERA and 0.50 WHIP.

Haleigh Caspary (2026 Fond du Lac, WI), another fine pitcher for tournament champion Wisconsin Bandits 18u National-Laabs, works from the left side and topped out at 59 mph. Caspary goes to work with a four pitch bag of fastball, change-up, rise and drop curve, with what I believe is a two seam grip that causes her fastball to have serious glove side run. This pitch was nearly unhittable from either side of the plate, due to the amount of horizontal run it displayed. This amount of movement also helped contribute to Caspary giving up six free passes in her 12.2 innings of work. She did strike out 17, allowed three earned runs and finished with a 1.70 ERA and 1.34 WHIP.