2025 Perfect Game Iowa High School State Championships
Urbandale, IA
April 26th and 27th, 2025
Alicia Baker Ashley Mears
The Iowa High School State Tournament gave us a real good glimpse as to what we will see this summer. Ankeny Centennial walked away with the Championship against a tough Nebraska Gold 319 team. In the 16U division, the CIK 08s were crowned Champions against another tough team, the Iowa Aries 16U CE. The NW Wolves and the 16U Ankeny Centennial group both walked away with 3rd place in their divisions and proved to be strong forces in the upcoming high school season as well.
18U
Jordyn Kennedy (2026 Ankeny, IA) of Ankeny Centennial was the weekend’s MV-Player. Kennedy, a University of Minnesota commit, was absolutely dominating at the plate. Kennedy is the player you want up to bat with the game on the on the line, as she is an extremely tough out. A strong athlete who uses her entire frame to power through pitches, Kennedy blasted three home runs, one of which I am not sure has landed yet. To go along with those homeruns, Kennedy ended the weekend with 10 total hits, including three doubles, and 10 RBIs. This power hitter will be one to watch this upcoming summer.
The MV-Pitcher of the weekend from Ankeny Centennial was Aubrey Scieszinski (2025 Ankeny, IA). The Maryville University commit does a great job of keeping batters off balance by working all areas of the zone, mixing in her pitches well. Scieszinski’s curve and rise are what make her most successful as both come in as a strike with a late break. Scieszinski finished the weekend with 30 strikeouts through 14 innings pitched while only allowing two earned runs.
Lauren Bartine (2026 Ankeny, IA) is another power hitting right-handed batter from Ankeny Centennial. Bartine is an uncommitted outfielder with raw power. Setting up parallel to the plate, Bartine utilizes a short step to transfer power, then uses her quick hands to power through the zone. Bartine finished the weekend with four home runs and seven runs batted in. If this player isn’t on a school’s radar yet, she definitely should be.
Kyla Schulte (2026 Amana, IA) from the runner-up Nebraska Gold 319 Berning is another athlete that finds herself at the top of the hitting leaderboard weekend after weekend. Although a very aggressive hitter she uses a simple approach at the plate, using her legs to drive through the ball and getting full extension through the zone. Schulte led the weekend in RBIs knocking in 12 runs on nine hits, including three doubles and two homeruns. The uncommitted Schulte would bolster any team’s line up immediately at the next level.
Sophia Schlader (2028 Urbandale, IA) of the NW Wolves is the returning 5A Pitcher and Offensive Player of the Year as an 8th grader. Schlader started right where she left off last summer and dominated again both at the plate and in the circle. A hitter that most pitchers and teams fear, Schlader walked five times, many of them being intentional, but was still able to make the most of other opportunities, finishing the weekend with six hits, including a double and a pair of homeruns while knocking in 7 runs. On the mound, her fastball reaches 66mph consistently, Schlader racked up a tournament high 32 strikeouts through 17 innings pitched. Again, just a freshman, Schlader is a highly sought after recruit and will be one of the best players to come out of the state of Iowa.
Natalie Zatloukal (2027 Urbandale, IA) a right-handed pitcher and first baseman of the NW Wolves was a force to be reckoned with at the plate this weekend. Hitting three homeruns on Saturday alone, Zatloukal did an excellent job of keeping her hands back and taking the outside pitch for opposite field home runs. Setting up parallel to the plate, Zatloukal has a very simple plate approach and doesn’t try to do too much. Zatloukal finished her weekend with five hits, including three homeruns and driving in 10 runs. Another power hitter for the Waukee NW Wolves to keep your eye on.
Leela Appledorn (2028 Waukee, IA) of the NW Wolves is a left-handed slapper/hitter. Appledorn’s most intriguing asset is her ability to place the ball in the gap and let her speed do the rest. Her quick speed out of the box helps her turn singles to doubles and doubles to triples. Appledorn finished her weekend with 10 total hits including two doubles and a triple while driving in four. An extremely valuable asset on the bases and in anyone’s line up, she has the ability to compete at high levels.
Charlotte Nigey (2026 Bettendorf, IA) of the Nebraska Gold 319 is a consistent name we are seeing weekend after weekend this spring on the top performers list. The utility player has found her stride at the plate and isn’t looking back. Nigey’s athleticism and raw power were on display this weekend as she finished with six hits, including two home runs and knocking in eight runs. Nigey has all the skills and abilities to compete at the next level.
16U
Hayden Kresser (2026 Jesup, IA) of CIK 08s was the weekend’s MV-Player. The uncommitted Kresser has a strong build and confident plate approach. Utilizing a very aggressive swing paired with getting the most from her lower half, Kresser’s power is a huge asset for any line up. The impressive Kresser finished the weekend with five hits including two homeruns and eight runs batted in.
Taylor Buhr (2026 Fairbank, IA) was the weekend MV-Pitcher and also plays shortstop for the CIK 08s. Buhr is a multisport athlete with extreme athleticism. Buhr pitched a total of 9 innings on the weekend with 6 of those coming in the Championship game in which she only allowed one earned run and struck out seven. Ther versatile Buhr is an exciting player to watch.
Bernie Weil (2029 West Des Moines, IA), a catcher and 1st baseman from Alliance Select Gold 14U was one of the younger players on the top performers list. Batting from the cleanup spot, Weil’s raw power was on display as she had six hits on the weekend including two doubles, a triple, a home run and knocked in five RBIs. Weil will be an exciting young player to watch as she continues to gain strength and mature in the game.
Gracie Anderson (2028 Ankeny, IA) is a left-handed hitter and slapper for Ankeny Centennial. Anderson’s speed paired with the ability to place the ball between defenders is what makes her most lethal. Once she is on the bases, Anderson wastes no time in taking the next base and led the tournament with six stolen bases. She finished her weekend with eight hits, including three doubles and two RBIs. Anderson has a high ceiling and will only continue to get better.
Peyton Spiegel (2028 Ankeny, IA), a pitcher for Ankeny Centennial, helped carry a heavy weekend load for her team. Spiegel has definitely put in the work over the winter as her fastball has jumped at least 4mph since October. Spiegel continues to work all corners of the zone while mixing in her change, rise and screw. She finished her weekend with 16 innings pitched and 22 strikeouts. Spiegel has a high ceiling and will only get better as she continues to gain strength and master her craft.
Braelyn Irlmeier (2029 Norwalk, IA) a right-handed leadoff hitter for Alliance Select Harper found herself on the top performers list again this spring. Executing her job as the lead off batter, Irlmeier’s ability to find a way to get on base makes her perfect for her role. Irlmeier finished the weekend with eight hits, including two doubles, and scoring seven times.
Brooklyn Radke (2026 Norwalk, IA) is a catcher and right-handed hitter for the Iowa Aries 16U CE and a recent Grandview University commit. Radke’s ability to manage her pitchers as well as keeping an eye on base runners are two great traits she possesses. If you’re on the bases, don’t fall asleep on Radke as she is not afraid to attempt to pick off any base. At the plate, Radke has a very simple approach, isn’t afraid to drop a bunt and does her job by getting on base. Radke finished her weekend with eight hits and knocked in five runs.
Peyton Stineman (2027 Cedar Rapids, IA) a hard throwing right-handed pitcher for the tournament champions CIK 08s continues to turn heads. With a fastball that is hitting the lower 60s consistently, her ability to work all corners of the zone as well as mixing in her change up is what makes her most successful on the mound. Stineman finished the weekend with 13 strikeouts through 10 innings pitched. Keep an eye on this 2027 as she continues to really hone in her pitching skills.