BURLINGTON, IA – Perfect Game Softball Winter Warm-Up Tournament, January 30 – February 1, 2026
The Winter Warm-Up brought together 23 teams in a four-game guarantee, pool-into-bracket format, featuring both 16U and 18U divisions. In 16U action, it was an all-Wisconsin showdown, with the Wisconsin Stingrays claiming the championship over GTS 16U Elite – Gonzalez. In the 18U bracket, Iowa Nationals took home the gold in a nail-biting D1 pitcher duel against the Iowa Gold Prospects.
The tournament was packed with standout young talent, featuring big bats, dominant arms, and several players already committed to collegiate programs. Below are the players who earned their spot on the tournament’s Top Performers list.
18u
Tournament MVPitcher Sophia Schlader (2028, Urbandale, IA) of the Iowa Gold Prospects was flat-out electric in the circle, picking up right where she left off last fall. Armed with a fastball that consistently sits at 69 mph and touches 70, Schlader overwhelmed hitters, piling up a tournament-leading 28 strikeouts with only two walks over 14 dominant innings. She surrendered just six hits and two earned runs all weekend. Now a sophomore, Schlader is quickly becoming one of the most coveted arms in the 2028 class and is well on her way to being one of the top players to ever come out of Iowa.
Julia Roth (2026, Dubuque, IA) of the Lady Expos continues to demand attention, showing up in scout notes weekend after weekend with elite, reliable performances. The University of Iowa commit plays with an unshakable calm, whether she’s in the circle or stepping into the box and rarely looks fazed by the moment. At the plate, Roth put on a power display, finishing the weekend with seven hits, four home runs, and nine RBIs. In the circle, she was just as dominant, punching out 15 hitters over nine innings with only four walks while accounting for 29 outs. With her command, competitiveness, and steady presence around the zone, Roth proves she’s a true two-way force. The Hawkeyes are landing a complete athlete who brings versatility, confidence, and impact to every part of the game.
Lauren Hagedorn (2026, Adel, IA) of the Iowa Nationals and future Iowa State Cyclone claimed Weekend MVP honors after delivering a statement-making two-way performance. In the circle, she kept hitters guessing with a polished, multi-pitch mix, highlighted by a devastating rise ball. Hagedorn threw 14 innings, racking up 13 strikeouts while showing elite poise and command in high-leverage moments against top Midwest competition. Offensively, she was just as dangerous, blending patience with power as she worked deep counts and drove the ball with authority. She finished the weekend with seven hits, three home runs, and scored six runs. With her ability to impact the game in every phase, Hagedorn was impossible to ignore—and Iowa State is gaining a fierce, high-upside competitor who thrives on the big stage.
Dylan Amling (2028, Cedar Rapids, IA), catcher/utility for Nebraska Gold 319, put on an eye-opening offensive display that demanded attention. The multi-sport athlete’s raw power and elite bat speed jumped immediately, and her parallel setup paired with a quick jab step allows her to generate explosive lower-half drive and punish the ball with authority. Amling finished the day with four hits—three leaving the yard—along with six RBIs in a statement performance. Already regarded as one of the premier catchers in the 2028 class, Amling backs it up with a big-time bat and undeniable presence. She’s the real deal.
The Southeast Iowa All Stars Miller squad is loaded with emerging talent, and right-handed utility standout Kate Nigh (2027, Ames, IA) is leading the way. Nigh brings a dangerous blend of raw power and efficient lower-half mechanics, paired with a controlled load and lightning-fast hands that make her a constant threat at the plate. She capped off the weekend with four hits, two home runs, and six RBIs. With an advanced offensive approach and the ability to drive the ball with authority, Nigh is a high-upside athlete whose stock is climbing fast.
Other top performers included Samantha Gripp (2027, Indianola, IA), a right-handed hitter from the Gold Bracket Overall Champion Iowa Nationals 18U. Gripp’s slightly closed setup and smooth toe touch allow her to create separation and stay strong in her lower half, generating plus power to all fields. She capped the weekend with five hits, including a double and two home runs, while scoring four runs and driving in seven. Showing advanced discipline at the plate, Gripp also worked pitchers for a walk and consistently forced mistakes. With next-level ability and a powerful, controlled approach, Gripp is quickly establishing herself as one of the most sought-after bats in the 2027 class.
16u
All-Tournament Team selection and MVPitcher Tenleigh Bockhop (2028, Mineral Point, WI), a right-hander for the Wisconsin Stingrays, powered her team to the finals with a dominant showing in the circle. Working a polished four-pitch mix—fastball, changeup, rise, and drop-curve—Bockhop paired a repeatable delivery with excellent lower-half drive. She attacked both sides of the plate and wasn’t afraid to challenge hitters inside, logging 10 innings with 16 strikeouts while allowing just one earned run. Bockhop peaked at 59 mph and finished the tournament with a 0.90 ERA. She also made her presence felt at the plate, collecting seven hits, including two doubles, and driving in five runs. With her two-way impact and room to continue getting stronger, Bockhop is absolutely a name to watch in the 2028 class.
Tourament MVP and the overall Top Performer Sophia Abundiz (2028, Plover, WI) Sophia Abundiz absolutely dominated this weekend, showcasing why she’s a standout on every level. At the plate, she sets up in a wide, athletic stance, sitting into her legs with excellent balance and strong weight transfer to her back side. This mechanic gives her explosive separation and perfect timing, allowing her to drive the ball with authority to all fields. Her lower half is a powerhouse in motion, generating consistent, elite-level power. The results speak for themselves: 6 Runs, 7 Hits, 2 Doubles, 4 Home Runs, and 9 RBIs over the tournament. Sophia didn’t just perform—she took over games and left a mark on every pitcher she faced.
Ashlynn Petrick (2028, Waunakee, WI) of the Wisconsin Stingrays kept hitters off balance all weekend with a deep and dynamic pitch arsenal. Mixing a fastball, rise, curve, drop, changeup, and screwball, Petrick attacked every corner of the zone with confidence and intent. Her rise ball was the separator, featuring late, explosive life at the letters and generating plenty of empty swings while topping out at 60 mph. Petrick closed the weekend with 14 strikeouts, just one earned run, and only three hits allowed over 10 innings. Still just a 2028, she’s only scratching the surface of her potential—making her a must-know name to have firmly on your radar moving forward.
Brynley Wenig (2029, Burlington, IA) of the Southeast Iowa Swarm is a true two-way threat, making an impact both in the circle and at the plate. On the mound, Wenig works her fastball in the 61-mph range and complements it with a curve, drop, screw, and changeup, keeping hitters off balance. At the plate, she finished the weekend with four hits, two walks, and seven strikeouts over five innings. A fierce competitor, Wenig is a player you’ll continue to see in Scout Notes as she grows and refines her game. With elite upside on both sides of the ball, she’s one to watch closely in the coming years.
Two-way standout Payton Harris (2028, Mediapolis, IA) of the Black Dragons was unstoppable this weekend. At the plate, Harris showcased her power and advanced barrel control, driving the ball to all fields with authority—finishing with three home runs and four RBIs. The strong right-handed hitter covers the strike zone well and generates next-level bat speed on every swing. She also made a mark in the circle, throwing five innings with six strikeouts and topping out at 61 mph on her fastball, while displaying impressive command with zero walks. Harris is a complete player whose two-way impact makes her one to watch closely moving forward.
Grace Hoopes (2029, Muscatine, IA) of Iowa Aries 16U Ce Fire Red continues to build on her success from the 14U division, making a strong impression in 16U play. Working a five-pitch mix—fastball, off-speed, drop, curve, and rise—Hoopes threw six innings and recorded six strikeouts, topping out at 59 mph. She showed excellent command, keeping hitters off balance, limiting free passes to just three, and allowing no earned runs on the weekend. As she matures and adds strength, both her velocity and spin rates are expected to rise, making her strikeouts even more frequent. Hoopes is a polished, high-upside pitcher whose skill set is only getting sharper.