2025 Perfect Game Des Moines Organizational Championship
Urbandale, IA
April 12th and 13th, 2025
The Perfect Game Des Moines Organizational Championship started off cold and windy but finished near 80 degrees on Sunday, perfect weather for some Perfect Game Softball. The 18u division championship came down to a talented Linn Mar team taking down a dominating Nebraska Gold 319 team. Homeruns were flying! Nebraska Gold 319 boasted 17 homeruns on the weekend, and 7 athletes landing in the Top 10 Batting Performers list. In the 16u division we had an ALL-Aries championship with a very talented 14u Aries squad overcoming the 16u Aries squad. Both were exciting teams to watch and will be forces to reckon with as they continue to grow in the game.
18U
Lily Knutson (2026 Cedar Rapids, IA) a RHP for the Nebraska Gold 319 Berning was the weekend’s Most Valuable Player AND Most Valuable Pitcher, finishing as the event’s top performer in both hitting and pitching. The Augustana commit boasts a 6-pitch mix that makes her absolutely dominating in the circle. Knutson’s late breaking curve and rise are her go to strikeout pitches, then pair up the ability to spot her fastball anywhere she wants, helped her finish the weekend with 28 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched with only one walk. To go along with her pitching dominance, Knutson was a force at the plate as well hitting a tournament high five home runs and 16 RBIs. Knutson is an all-around solid player.
Charlotte Nigey (2026 Bettendorf, IA) another impressive player from the Nebraska Gold 319 Berning squad, had a great weekend at the plate. The utility player demonstrated plus range and a plus arm from the outfield. The most impressive part of Nigey’s game was at the plate. Starting with a simple parallel plate approach, Nigey slightly loads before coming forward, once her weight is transferred, Nigey is not cheated in her at bat and uses her lower half and quick hands to get through the ball. She finished her weekend with seven hits, which included a double and four home runs. The uncommitted Nigey is the real deal.
Emily Koranda (2025 Marion, IA) of Linn-Mar and Missouri State Softball commit had another impressive weekend. Koranda, working with a fastball, changeup, rise, drop and curve, has incredible movement on all of her pitches. Her fastball topped out at 64mph, but its her curve and rise that do the most damage. Koranda finished the weekend with 20 strikeouts through 12 innings pitched while only walking one batter. At the plate, Koranda ended her weekend with seven hits, including three doubles and two homeruns. Koranda is poised to have an exceptional senior season at Linn-Mar.
Brynna Gander (2028 Marion, IA), a left-handed pitcher for Linn-Mar, showed a glimpse into the future for this team and is already turning heads. Gander starts with a slight rock back before exploding off the mound. Ganders’ ability to mix in pitches, a fast ball that sits in the upper 50s and the ability to work all corners of the zone, all help her be the most effective. She finished the weekend with seven innings pitched, which included 16 strikeouts and only allowing one earned run. Just a 2028, this pitcher has a high ceiling and will be one to keep track of.
Clara Page (2027 Des Moines, IA) a right-handed pitcher from the Alliance Select- Benge is an upcoming pitcher whose name you will keep hearing over the next several years. Page has a simple delivery, with a slight rock back before coming through, using her legs and leaping off the mound. Working with a change up, drop, rise and fastball, Page worked efficiently through 10 innings pitched with 14 strikeouts, allowing only one walk and no earned runs. Page’s ability to work all corners of the zone while keeping batters off balance is what makes her most successful.
Jersey Hawf (2025 Larchwood, IA) a right-handed pitcher/utility player for the Sioux City Futures was clutch for her team this weekend. The recent Iowa Central Community College commit starts off parallel with the plate using a simple, line drive approach. Using her quick hands and lower half, Hawf ended the weekend with six hits, including two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI’s.
Kyla Schulte (2026 Amana, IA), a right-handed hitter for Nebraska Gold 319 Berning, had herself a day. Only playing one day of the tournament, this player still managed to be in the top three on the batting performers list. Schulte sets up in a parallel stance, leans into the back hip to transfer weight and then gains separation and momentum with a short stride. Schulte finished with seven hits, including two doubles, three home runs and 11 RBIs. Not yet committed, Schulte has a high-level skill set at the plate that can play at the next level.
16U
Harper Rosado (2029 Ankeny, IA) of the Iowa Aries 14U was the weekend’s Most Valuable Player. Using a simple plate approach with very minimal movement, this left-handed hitter has pure raw power. Rosado led the division with nine RBIs and finished the weekend with eight hits, including a triple, a home run. Just a 2029, Rosado will only continue to get better as she gains strength and experience in the game. High ceiling for this athlete!
Allie Williams (2028 Norwalk, IA) of the Iowa Aries 16U was the Most Valuable Pitcher of the weekend. Williams’ intensity and excitement on the mound are fun to watch. With a fast ball consistently in the upper 50s, Williams best pitch is her curveball. Williams finished the weekend striking out 12 batters through 10 innings pitched while only allowing one earned run. As Williams continues to gain strength and more velocity on her pitches, she will only get better.
Aurora Widlund (2029 Altoona, IA) of the Iowa Aries 14u pitched her team to the championship game. Widlund is working with a five-bag mix of fastball, change, drop, rise and curve. Her most effective pitch is her curve ball. Widlund had 12 strikeouts through 12 innings pitched, only allowing two earned runs. Widlund is just beginning to come into her game and will be one to watch as she continues to grow and mature.
Kennedy Malloy (2028 Des Moines, IA) also of the 14U Iowa Aries, pitched her team to a championship win and found herself near the top of the batting performers list for the second weekend in a row. Malloy is very relaxed but confident at the plate. Starting parallel with the plate, she starts with her hands high before coming into her stride and takes a slight step to transfer power. She doesn’t try to do too much and lets her athleticism and power do the talking. Malloy ended her weekend with eight hits, including two doubles and five RBIs. As Malloy gains strength and continues to mature, she will only add more hitting power and continue to gain speed on her pitches.
Ainsley Johnson (2028 Marion, IA) of the Cedar Rapids Reds had a successful weekend at the plate with a tournament high nine hits. Starting in a wide stance, Johnson uses her weight transfer to help power through the pitch. Utilizing her quick hands and aggressive swing, the lefty hitter does not get cheated in at bats. Johnson’s speed and aggressiveness on the bases also help make her successful. will be one to watch in the coming years as she continues to gain strength and experience.
Avery Watson (2027 Osceola, IA), a right-handed power hitter for the SDM JTs helped her team to a 3rd place finish this weekend. Watson finished the weekend with five hits including a triple and a homerun while knocking in five runs.
Addison Mease (2028 Urbandale, IA), a catcher for the Midwest Inferno, made a big impact for her team over the weekend. Mease batting in the cleanup spot, has a slightly closed stance and utilizes a small step to transfer power. Mease’s power was put on display during her team’s win in going 3 for 4 against a tough Cedar Rapids Reds team and ended the weekend with a total of seven hits including a triple, and three RBIs. Keep an eye on this 2028, she has the potential to be a break out star.
Bailey Parton (2029 Bondurant, IA) a power hitting left-handed batter and first baseman for the Iowa Aries 14u is one to not sleep on. The lefty has extreme pull side power and speed to go with it. Ending the weekend with eight hits, including a stand-up triple, this 2029 is one to keep your eyes on.
Alliance Select Harper’s Braelyn Irlmeier (2029 Norwalk, IA) had an outstanding weekend at the plate. Irlmeier does a great job of getting her hands through the zone and utilizing her lower half to power through the ball. The right-handed leadoff hitter led her team in hits with eight hits, including a double and a triple. Only a 2029, this player has the potential to be great.
Emma Banks (2028 Martensdale, IA) another hard hitting power hitter for the SDM JT’s was also a force at the plate. Banks utilizes a slight rock back to transfer power. Once transferred, Banks looks for an inside pitch to show off her pull side power. Banks’ finished the weekend with five hits, including two doubles, one home run and five RBIs.