2025 Perfect Game Dingers and Dinkers
Indianola, IA
April 6th, 2025
The first weekend of spring softball came with mild temperatures and a quick one-day showcase. Fifteen teams shook off the winter rust in 4 games on Sunday. In the 18u division, several of the state’s top pitching talent could be seen working their craft. Commits from Western Kentucky, Wayne State, University of South Dakota, and Montana State to name a few. In the 16u division were several up and comers from around the area preparing for their season. Below, some of the top performers from the weekend are highlighted.
18U
Maddyn Gates (2027 Solon, IA) a right-handed pitcher from the Cedar Rapids Saints was the weekends top hitting performer. Gates has an athletic build and uses her lower half well to make her extremely powerful at the plate. Utilizing a slight load before coming through the ball, Gates powered through six hits including two doubles and a home run and knocking in seven RBIs. Gates is an exciting 2027 to keep your eyes on this season.
Camryn Johnson (2025 Urbandale, IA) a utility player for the Cyclones, finished near the top of the leader board as well. Also a high school state track qualifier, Johnson’s speed and ability to hit the gaps are what makes her a lethal weapon in the lineup. Starting in an athletic stance, Johnson comes through the zone with full extension, gets full utilization of her lower half and drives through the ball. With six hits on the weekend, Johnson legged out two doubles and a triple while knocking in three. This Kirkwood Community College recruit is poised for a successful softball season.
Emily Koranda (2025 Marion, IA) of Linn-Mar is no stranger to scout notes. The right-handed pitcher and Missouri State commit continues to show up for her team and is looking to have an exceptional high school season. Working all areas of the zone, Koranda mixed in her pitches well and racked up 18 strikeouts through just eight innings pitched. The highly efficient Koranda only walked one and allowed two hits. Koranda is a true threat on both sides of the ball, going 6 for 11 at the plate, helping her cause. She came through in the clutch with two doubles and three RBIs. Another solid weekend for this impactful player.
Halle Clark (2027 Runnells, IA) a very athletic middle infielder from SE Iowa All Starts Jones had a big day at the plate. Clark is a solid contact hitter with a line drive approach that has the patience to wait for her pitch. Batting 6 for 10 on the day, Clark pushed through three RBIs which included a double. One of the best middle infielders in the 2027 class, Clark is on track for a breakout high school season.
Mckynley Gnewuch (2025 Bettendorf, IA) of Pleasant Valley had a monster day hitting two homeruns and knocking in five runs. Gnewuch has a relaxed stance in the box but once the pitch is in motion, utilizes a big leg kick for weight transfer. Using this method paired with her athletic build, Gnewuch is able to generate a ton of power. Gnewuch's ability to come in clutch is what makes her an exciting player to follow.
Reggan Borchers (2026 Marion, IA) of Linn-Mar had a day at the plate. The uncommitted Borchers was putting on a show at the plate going 5 for 7, which included two doubles and four RBIs, with an on base percentage of .778. Borchers and Linn Mar are looking to make a run this summer softball season.
Sydney Smalley (2025 Ames, IA) helped carry the pitching load for the Cyclones. Smalley’s wind up is very simple with a slight rock back before coming hard off the mound and snapping through. Her consistency and working all corners of the plate is what makes her most successful. She's not afraid to go after hitters, showing off an impressive strikeout to innings pitched ratio. Through 12 innings pitched, Smalley had 18 strikeouts while only allowing two walks.
16U
Ella Wheatly (2028 Runnells, IA) an athletic outfielder/middle infielder for the Iowa Aries 16U was the 16u division’s top batting performer. Starting in a very relaxed stance, Wheatly has a knack for hitting the long ball. With good use of her lower half, and working her hands inside the ball, Wheatly can hit the ball to all fields with power. Finishing the day with 4 hits, which included a double and a homerun, Wheatly knocked in 5 runs. This player will be an exciting one to follow as she continues to gain strength and mature in the game.
Caycee Crawford (2027 New Hampton, IA) of the CIK 09s earned her way to the top of the day's Batting Top Performers list. Crawford has a slight weight transfer to gain momentum at the start of the pitch and by doing this, she is able to gain separation and power to drive through the pitch. Utilizing this method, Crawford was able to barrel up several pitches, finishing the day with four hits, including a triple and a homerun while knocking in 3 runs. With more experience and continuing to work on her craft, Crawford has the tools to be a star player.
Olivia Chapman (2028 Osage, IA) another player from the CIK 09 squad, is a lead off batter who does her job well. Starting in a slightly open stance, Chapman makes a slight rock back to transfer power. Once transferred, she does a good job of keeping her hands in and staying long through the ball. Chapman finished the day with four hits, including two doubles and a homerun, while driving in three runs. Already she is a strong 2028, and Chapman has a high ceiling and will be one to watch as she continues to gain strength and confidence.
Aurora Widlund (2029 Altoona, IA) of the Iowa Aries 14u is a young up and comer that had no problems handling 16u pitching. Widlund working in a relaxed athletic stance, utilizes a quick short step to transfer power. Once transferred, her bat speed, paired with raw strength helps power through the ball. Widlund’s ability to hit the long ball helped her team as she had three hits driving in six runs. Widlund is just beginning to come into her game and will be one to watch as she continues to grow and mature in the game.
Emerson Clanton (2027 Johnston, IA) was the 16u Top Pitching Performer from the Iowa Aries 16u. Clanton starts her wind up with a slight rock back before coming through hard and driving off the mound. Clanton’s fastball consistently worked in the 55-57mph range. She finished the day with nine strike outs through 10 innings pitched, while only allowing four hits and walking none. Clanton has an extreme upside to her as she continues to gain strength and pitch movement.
Journey Wolfe (2028 Ames, IA) an outfielder and left-handed batter for 3T’s Select is another player to keep your eye on. Wolfe’s athleticism and speed paired with her power make her an impactful player in the heart of her teams line up. Wolfe had three doubles while knocking in four runs on the day. Wolfe, just a 2028 still has plenty of time to grow in the game as she continues to improve and get stronger. One to watch in the coming years!
Hailey Hook (2027 Norwalk, IA) a utility player from the SDM JT’s led her team in batting for the day. Hook’s consistency at the plate is what makes her most valuable. Batting .783 on the day Hook had seven hits, making her a crucial piece to her team's lineup.
Kennedy Malloy (2028 Des Moines, IA) of the Iowa Aries 14u is certainly one to keep your eye on this season. Malloy starting with an even stance and takes a slight step to gain power and momentum. Once connected, Malloy’s athletic build takes over. Hitting for power, Malloy had five hits on the day including a double and three RBIs. She has a high ceiling and will only continue to get better as she grows in the game.