Perfect Game 18u IOWA CITY SCOUTING SHOW CASE SERIES #1
18U Division
Iowa City, IA
The 2025–2026 Perfect Game season officially opened this past weekend in Iowa City with the annual Scouting Showcase. Ideal weather conditions, high-level competition, and a mix of both familiar and new talent set the stage for an outstanding event. As always, the tournament attracted a strong turnout of college coaches, and this year’s showcase once again lived up to expectations.
The Southeast Iowa All Stars Miller team is stacked with talent, claiming four of the Top 10 Batting Performers. Leading the charge is right-handed utility player Kate Nigh (2027 Ames, IA). Nigh’s combination of raw power and efficient lower-half mechanics, paired with a controlled load and lightning-quick hands, makes her a dangerous presence at the plate. Nigh finished her weekend with six total hits, including two doubles, two home runs and a tournament high nine RBIs. With her advanced approach and ability to drive the ball with authority, Nigh is a high-upside athlete whose stock is poised to rise quickly.
Kinzie Maxwell (2027 Adel, IA) a catcher for the Southeast Iowa All Stars Miller was also impressive at the plate as well as behind the plate, this weekend. Maxwell is a strong, left-handed hitter that demonstrates extreme confidence while in the box. Using her lower half, Maxwell was able to barrel up several pitches for nine total hits, including three doubles, and totaling seven RBIs. Maxwell is a strong catcher with plus framing ability. This 2027 has the skills and abilities to play at the next level if she chooses to do so.
Haydin Gookin (2027 Mount Vernon, IA) is another key piece to the Southeast Iowa All Stars Miller team. Gookin lead the pitching category on the weekend pitching nine innings and only allowing one earned run and not allowing any walks. Gookin’s efficiency comes from working the batter on the outside corner which resulted in several weak ground balls. Working with a five-pitch arsenal of fastball that is consistently in the 60-61mph range, change-up, drop, drop curve and rise, Gookin does an extremely good job of keeping batters off balance and mixing in all her pitches.
Alayna Schulte (2026, Waukee, IA) of the Iowa Nationals Alliance Select is a dynamic left-handed slapper with the rare ability to both drive the ball with power and strategically place it for base hits. Schulte showcased her speed all weekend, leading the tournament with eight stolen bases. She finished with nine hits, including a double and a triple, and crossed the plate all nine times she reached base proving to be a consistent offensive spark. Defensively, she is a reliable middle infielder with a strong arm and plus range. Still uncommitted, Schulte is a high-impact 2026 prospect, and any program would benefit from adding her to their roster.
Kale Montag (2026, Grimes, IA) of the Iowa Gold Prospects earned a spot among the top 10 performers in both hitting and pitching. Montag’s even-keeled playing style sets her apart, as she rarely gets rattled and thrives under pressure. In the circle, she works all corners of the zone with a fastball sitting in the upper 50s, complemented by a strong mix of pitches including a screwball, rise, changeup, and curve. Her changeup, which she confidently throws in any count, is particularly effective. At the plate, Montag carries that same calm, composed presence. She generates solid contact with quick hands and full body engagement, finishing the weekend with six hits including two doubles and a home run while also drawing three walks. A true two-way threat, Montag is still uncommitted and is certainly a 2026 talent to keep on your radar.
Isla Brower (2028 West Des Moines, IA) of the Iowa Aries National team turned heads with her impressive performance at the plate this weekend. A disciplined right-handed hitter, Brower works from an open stance and shows patience in waiting for her pitch. She uses a controlled step to transfer power, engaging her lower half effectively to drive through the ball. The result was a standout offensive showing of six hits, including three doubles, a home run, and seven RBIs. Just a 2028, Brower’s upside is tremendous, and she is a young talent to keep on the radar as she continues to develop.
Lily Nibur (2027, Iowa City, IA), a right-handed pitcher for the Cedar Rapids Blue Devils National, turned heads this weekend with her strong outings in the circle. Starting from a low position, she uses her legs effectively to drive off the mound with power. Nibur commands a five-pitch mix, featuring a fastball in the low 60s, along with a curve, screwball, drop curve, and a deceptive flip change. Her ability to mix speeds and locations keeps hitters off balance, with her high-spin curveball serving as a particularly effective weapon. As she continues to work on her efficiency on the mound, Nibur will have all of the skills to play at the next level.
Maisa Kramer (2027, Ankeny, IA) of the Iowa Elite Force 16U is a left-handed pitcher with a bright future. Kramer demonstrates excellent command, consistently painting the outside corner with her fastball in the 61–62 mph range, effectively setting hitters up before surprising them with a sharp, high-rise ball. Featuring a four-pitch arsenal of fastball, rise, change, and curve, Kramer is most effective when she uses her movement pitches to keep hitters off balance, mixing speeds and locations. In game one of the weekend, Kramer had 12 strikeouts in six innings pitched and finished her weekend with a tournament high of 20 strike outs. As Kramer continues to mature in the game and continue to develop her pitches, her stock will only rise.
Other notable performances this weekend…
Oni Davisson (2027 Iowa City, IA) a right handed hitter from the Barracudas- Heald team had a strong outing this weekend going 7 for 9 at the plate. Her weekend highlight was game two of the day on Saturday going 3 for 4 at the plate against a tough North Iowa Storm team.
Maggie Bowman (2027 Bettendorf, IA) of Southeast Iowa All Stars Miller was 9 for 10, finishing her weekend with a .900 batting average. Bowman standing at a mere 5’10” is a strong, athletic hitter. One to keep on your radar.
Madelyn Klever (2027 Polk City, IA) left-handed leadoff batter for the Iowa Gold Prospects went 6 for 7 batting .857 and walking three times. Klever’s speed and ability to get a good jump off the pitch helped her rack up six stolen bases.
Ruth Tauber (2026 Dubuque, IA) a committed UNI Panther and currently playing for the Lady Expos Blue, lead the weekend with 11 hits batting .786. tauber’s game of the weekend was against a tough Iowa Gold Prospects team where she went 3 for 3 and hit two doubles. Tauber is no stranger to scout notes and definitely will make an impact next year for UNI.
Lily Knutson (2026 Cedar Rapids, IA) a right-handed batter for NE Gold 319 was very impressive a the plate this weekend. The Augustana commit tallied nine hits, including two doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs. Knutson is another player who isn’t a stranger to scout notes as she consistently plays at a high level, weekend after weekend. Excited for the future Viking.