BURLINGTON, IA - 2025 Perfect Game Softball Shamrock Showdown, March 8 - 9, 2025 saw 23 teams participating in this 12u and 14u tournament. In the 12u division, it was the Heartland Havoc 12 claiming the championship over the Midwest Sluggers ‘12 by a score of 8 - 4. In the 14u division, it was the Cedar Rapids Reds with the come from behind win, in walk off fashion, over Blue Devils 14u by the score of 7 - 6. Below are highlights of some of the tournament's top performances, and although we do not scout the 12u division, I wanted to give recognition to a few of the top performers in this division.
12U DIVISION
Earning the MV-Pitcher Award was Audrey Danler (2030 Eldridge, IA), a RHP for tournament finalist Midwest Sluggers ‘12. Danler, the workhorse for her Sluggers team, worked 16.1 innings, and showed hitters a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop, curve and screw, to record 25 strikeouts. Although Danler finished the weekend allowing 22 hits and 11 earned runs, it should be noted that most of the damage was done in the championship game against a very good hitting Heartland Havoc 12 team, allowing 12 hits and seven earned runs. As this young lady matures and adds strength over the next several years, with continued work on her craft, she will develop a more consistent delivery and increased velocity which will lead to higher spin rates that will give her more movement on her spin pitches.
The MVP Award went to Charlotte Wynn (2031 Moline, IL) a RHH for tournament champion Heartland Havoc 12, who displayed a swing way above her years. Wynn, setting up in a parallel stance, sitting into her legs, utilized a toe touch to get weight transferred to her back hip and then used her stride to generate separation and momentum. Wynn did not miss many barrels and showed the ability to work the ball gap to gap with power, picking up 10 hits that included three doubles, a triple and two home runs. Wynn scored 10 runs, knocked in 12, drew three walks and did not strike out, finishing with an amazing .909 batting average for her effort. This young lady, with continued work on her skill set, is a next level follow with a high ceiling.
Other top performers in this age group include Abby Michlig (2030 Wyanet, IL), a two-way player for tournament finalist Midwest Sluggers ‘12. Offensively, hitting from the right side, Michlig sets up in a parallel stance, on her front toe and leans into the back leg for weight transfer. With a line drive approach, Michlig picked up 9 hits with three doubles and a home run, scored nine runs, knocked in seven and finished the tournament hitting at a .643 clip. In the circle, Michlig, a RHP, showed hitters a simple three pitch mix of fastball, change-up and curve. She worked five innings, striking out 12, walking one and not allowing a hit or an earned run to finish with a 0.00 ERA and 0.20 WHIP. A two-way player that will be a good follow over the next several years.
Sophia Anderson (2030 Andalusia, IL) is a RHP for tournament champion Heartland Havoc 12, who also picked up the win in the championship final. Anderson shows hitters a deliberate motion, with good use of her legs in the drive phase and solid arm swing. Working hitters with a six pitch bag of fastball, change-up, rise, drop, curve and screw, Anderson totaled 6.1 innings, striking out 11, allowing one hit, walking 10 and giving up two earned runs. Although experiencing some control issues in the championship game, where she walked seven, Anderson showed she was able to keep her composure and work out of jams, helping to secure the championship win. This young lady showed good velocity and movement, and would project to increase both speed and spin, with continued work as she matures and gains strength over the next few years.
14U DIVISION
The MV-Pitcher Award went to Gracie Neal (2029 Alburnett, IA), a RHP for tournament champion Cedar Rapids Reds. Neal continues to remain consistent in the circle, showing hitters a deliberate motion and delivery, utilizing a solid lower half in the drive phase while tossing a four pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise and drop. In her 8.2 innings of work, topping out at 57 mph, Neal struck out 13, showing a nice change of speed and the ability to spot her pitches, not shying away from challenging hitters on the inside of the plate. Neal allowed eight hits and walked three, in giving up two earned runs to finish the weekend with a 1.60 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. This young lady, with continued work on her skill set, will be a solid next level follow as she matures and gains strength.
Quinn Wagner (2029 Cedar Rapids, IA) picked up the MVP Award, playing for tournament finalist Blue devils 14u. Wagner, hitting from the right side, sets up in a slightly open stance, utilizing a toe touch for weight transfer and timing, and then a stride to generate separation and momentum. Wagner did a good job of using her lower half in the swing and working her hands inside the ball, using the whole field in picking up seven hits with a double and a home run. She scored eight runs, knocked in six, stole three bases and drew four walks to finish with an impressive .700 batting average. Defensively, playing SS, Wagner showed good pre-pitch movement, good first step movement to get range, and the arm to make a strong accurate throw to first from the 5/6 hole. With developing tools that are necessary to be successful at the next level, this young lady is one to follow.
Other players turning in top performances includes Linny Corzatt (2029 Media, IL), a L/L two-way player for Mudd Dawgs 11. Offensively, sets up in an open stance, leaning and slightly dropping into the back leg for weight transfer, Corzatt gets back to parallel with her stride. Staying inside the ball, Corzatt appears at her best when working the ball opposite field, in picking up seven hits that included four doubles. She scored five runs, collected seven rbi’s and did not record a strikeout, to finish with a .538 batting average. In the circle, topping out at 58 mph, Corzatt showed hitters a fastball, change-up, rise, drop and curve, in working 8.1 innings and striking out 11.
Alexis Jensen (2029 Lisbon, IA) is a LHH for tournament finalist Blue Devils 14u. Setting up slightly open, Jensen leans into the back hip for weight transfer, and then utilizes a stride to gain separation and momentum. Not large framed, Jensen does a good job of utilizing her lower half and staying connected during the swing, showing the ability to drive the ball with some pop. Jensen collected 8 hits, which included a double and homerun, scored four runs, knocked in six, swiped three bases and did not record a strikeout, finishing the weekend hitting at a .571 clip.
Lydia Keller (2029 North Liberty, IA) is a R/R catcher for tournament champion Cedar Rapids Reds. Keller sets up in the box in an open stance, utilizing a toe touch to get weight transferred and to get back to parallel prior to her stride. Hitting from a firm front side, with solid use of her lower half, Keller picked up six hits, which included a double and a homerun, scored six runs, knocked in five and did not have a strikeout, to finish with a .500 batting average for her effort. Behind the plate, Keller shows good glove work, good skill level in blocking pitches, and the game IQ to relay to the fielders where the ball needs to go.
Kierson Griffith (2029 Carbon Cliff, IL) is a RHH for Nebraska Gold 309, that rarely missed a barrel. Setting up in a slightly wide, slightly open stance, sitting into her legs, Griffith gets her weight transferred with a small leg kick, moving into her stride. Working her hands inside the ball, Griffith displayed a line drive approach, hitting the ball to all fields in picking up eight hits. Griffith is aggressive on the bases and was able to collect 5 doubles, score four runs, knock in three and record zero strikeouts to end the weekend hitting at a stellar .889 clip.
Kierra Wunderlich (2028 Appleton, WI), a RHP for Wisconsin Bandits 14U, shows hitters a deliberate and controlled motion and delivery. Armed with a five pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, curve and screw, all of which she can throw for strikes, Wunderlich worked nine innings, striking out 16. Although she topped out at 60 mph, it was a late moving curve that she was able to finish just off the plate that resulted in several swing and miss attempts. For the weekend, Wunderlich allowed six hits, walked two and gave up one earned run, finishing with a 0.80 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. This young lady, with continued work on her craft as she matures, possesses the tools that can lead to success at the next level.
Natalie Weber (2029 Johnson Creek, WI) is a LHP for the Wisconsin Bandits 14U. Weber shows hitters a consistent motion, with good use of her lower half, in working with a four pitch bag of fastball, change-up, drop and screw. Topping out at 58 mph, Weber was in the circle for 12 innings and sat down 17 batters via strikeout, giving up 15 hits and three walks, while allowing seven earned runs. To her credit, Weber did draw the tough assignment of working against the two teams that won their respective pools, one of which was the eventual tournament champion. Don’t sleep on this young pitcher, there is a lot to like that will continue to develop as she matures as a pitcher.
Brynley Wenig (2029 Burlington, IA), a RHP for Mudd Dawgs 11, shows hitters a five pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop and curve, while topping out at 58 mph. Weber, utilizing her lower half with a strong effort in the drive phase, worked 11.1 innings and recorded 17 strikeouts. Weber gave up 13 hits and eight base on balls, while allowing six earned runs. At times it appeared her mechanics were slightly out of sync, which could lead to some control issues, but she worked through it on the fly and never allowed it to lead to any big innings. With continued work on her skill set, I am certain this young lady will appear again on our top performers list.
Ella Trewin (2028 Walford, IA), a LHP for Blue Devils Black, has earned her second top performer ranking this month. Trewin, with a consistent motion and delivery, with solid use of her lower half in the drive phase, and a quick arm whip, again topped out at 60 mph. Working hitters with a five pitch bag of fastball, change-up, rise, drop and screw, Trewin showed the ability to jam up right handed hitters, by running her rise in on their hands, and then work the other side of the plate with her screw. In her 8.2 innings of work, Trewin struck out eight, gave up 13 hits and two free passes, while allowing four earned runs to finish with a 3.20 ERA and 1.73 WHIP. This young lady is a good follow, with time to still develop with continued work and growth.