Perfect Game Softball Battle for the Belt
April 18-19, 2026
Des Moines, Iowa
It was a cold and very windy weekend, but the girls still came out and put in their best efforts. If you wanted the place to see some of the state’s top talent, this was the tournament to be at. The 18u division was quite the slugfest! The Ankeny Centennial 18U -Kennedy team took down a tough Iowa Alliance Select-Benge team in the championship. Both teams had double digit homeruns on the weekend. In the 16u division the Iowa Aries CE Fire Black took control of the game from the start and never let up on the gas, taking down a solid Alliance Select- Harper team.
18U Division
Kori Lincicum (2026 Ankeny, IA) of the Centennial Jaguars- Kennedy and Drake Bulldog softball commit was the weekends MVP Pitcher. Lincicum defeated a tough Alliance team in the championship game finishing with that game with 11 strikeouts. Lincicum was firing on all cylinders mixing in her change up and her highly effective rise ball. In the circle, she finished the weekend with 19 strike outs through 8 total innings pitched. Lincicum has quickly become one of my favorite players to watch as she performs at such an elite level, consistently on both sides of the plate. In the box, she finished her weekend with seven hits, including two homeruns and seven RBIs. This Ankeny standout is sure to have a big senior year for the 5A Ankeny Centennial Jaguars and I’m here for it.
Lauren Hagedorn (2026 Adel, IA) of Alliance Select Elite- Benge and Iowa State Cyclone softball commit was the tournament’s MVP. Hagedorn is another dual threat that is consistently fun to watch weekend after weekend. Hagedorn hit a tournament high six homeruns and knocked in 12 RBIs. The powerful player also was a force on the mound as she struck out a tournament high 25 batters on 13 innings pitched. Utilizing her rise ball and painting the corners consistently, Hagedorn dominated in all of her performances I’m excited to follow her senior year on the mound for Adel as she makes a run towards a state title in the 4A division.
Abby Johnson (2026 Johnston, IA) an uncommitted senior for Alliance Select Elite Benge delivered a standout performance this weekend. Hitting from a slightly open stance, Johnson loads into her lower half before coming together with the pitch and generating an impressive forward momentum forward. The power hitter put together an exceptional weekend at the plate finishing her weekend was 11 hits, including two doubles and three homeruns while knocking in 11 runs for her team. Still uncommitted, she remains a high impact bat capable of adding immediate power and production to any collegiate lineup.
Ainsley Johnson (2028 Marion, IA) a lead off batter for the Cedar Rapids Reds was another stand out hitter from the weekend. Hitting from the left side, Johnson showcased a strong combination of gap-to-gap consistency as well as hit for power. Her speed and aggressiveness then takes over once she gets on base. Johnson, just hitting her sophomore season is surely one to add to your recruiting radar. She finished her weekend with eight hits including two doubles, two home runs while driving in seven.
Avery Staver (2026 Afton, IA) an uncommitted lead off hitter for Alliance Select Elite- Benge made a strong impression in her role at the top of the lineup. This was my first time seeing Staver and I was immediately impressed by her speed. Staver’s ability to beat out what would be a routine ground ball for most was eye catching. When you pair that elite speed with her knack for find the gaps, you get a disruptive offensive weapon who consistently puts pressure on the defense. Staver finished her weekend scoring 10 runs, while finishing in the box with eight hits, including two doubles and homerun. If you’re looking for speed, Staver is needs to be on your list.
Another standout performance by Madelyn Ott (2026 Ankeny, IA) of Ankeny Centennial 18U- Kennedy. The committed Drake Bulldog is always an impressive player to watch at the plate. Using a slight rock back to gain momentum, Ott was able to put out five homeruns, knocking in a tournament high 14 RBIs on eight total hits. This power hitter is going to make an immediate impact at Drake University next fall as well as help propel Ankeny Centennial High School to a successful summer and title run.
Etta Maurer (2027 Ankeny, IA) Ankeny Centennial 18u- Lathrop a clean up hitter for the Jags showed promising results and upside. Maurer starts in a parallel stance, utilizing a slight step to gain momentum and get her bottom half going. Her quick hands and ability to barrel up softball help make her most successful. Maurer patient at the plate and a tough out. She led her team with six hits including a double, a homerun and knocked in six runs.
Iyana Merino (2028 Iowa City, IA) of the CR Reds 16U had a standout performance on Saturday going 2 for 2 with two homeruns. Merino displays a solid stance and really uses her legs to drive through the ball. I’m excited to continue following this player as she continues to gain strength and experience. Huge upside to this athlete!
16u Division
The 16u Tournament MVP was Iowa Aries 16u CE Fire Black player Bailey Parton (2029 Bondurant, IA). The left handed lead off hitter is a very aggressive batter who looks to jump on the first pitch. Setting up parallel to the plate, Parton does an excellent job of extending through the zone and using her lower half to drive through the ball. Parton finished her weekend with twelve hits, including four doubles, a homerun and seven RBIs. Parton is just hitting her stride and is sure one to watch as she continues to grow in the game.
The weekends MVP Pitcher award went to Karsyn Miller (2027 Ely, IA) of the Iowa Aries CE Fire Black. Miller led the tournament with 20 strikeouts through 14innings pitched. What impressed me most about Miller was her ability to throw her deceiving change up that sat in the low 40s, at any count. Mixing in this lethal pitch with her fast ball that sits in the low 60s and her ability to work all corners of the zone, Miller kept batters off balance all weekend. Extreme upside to this pitcher as she continues to hone in on her craft.
Emerson Hutchins (2027 Ankeny, IA) of Alliance Select Harper came up clutch for her team this weekend. Hutchins tall build and ability to get her lower half going helps make her successful at the plate. Hutchins sets up low in her stance, parallel to the plate and consistently shows ability to hit to the opposite side. She finished her weekend with eight hits, including two doubles and knocked in 9 runs.
Kennedy Murphy (2028 St Charles, IA) the lead off batter for Alliance Select Harper did her job in the role. Murphy sets up parallel to the plate and utilizes a quick jab step to gain momentum. Murphy does an excellent job of getting her hands through zone and is able to barrel up pitches on the inside and outside corners. Murphy finished her weekend with a team high nine hits, including four doubles and scoring seven times for her team. Murphy is one to get set on your radar.
Estella Bowman (2029 Des Moines, IA) came in and dominated the championship game for the Iowa Aries 16U CE Fire Black. Bowman kept a tough Alliance Select Harper team off balance striking out six in three innings pitched. Just a 2029, Bowman worked all corners of the zone and also showed an elite change up and rise ball. Bowman is just hitting her stride and has an extreme upside. I’m excited to watch this player continue to grow.
Brooklyn Davis (2029 Marion, IA) of the Cedar Rapids Reds 16U Black, highlighted her weekend with a 3 for 3 performance with 3 RBIs, which included two doubles against Alliance Select Harper. Davis has a solid plate presence and big upside, I am excited to watch her continue to evolve her game.
Lilly Anderson (2029 Ankeny, IA) of Alliance Select 16u Marckmann led her team in hits this weekend. Anderson has a strong build with an aggressive stance and utilizes a slight rock back before coming forward through the pitch to gain momentum. This player has a strong upside and will only continue to get better as she gets better and matures in the game.
Avery Bower (2029 Ankeny, IA) of the Ankeny Centennial 16U- Faber team is another name we keep seeing near the top of Performers List. She does an excellent job mixing in her pitches of Fastball, change up, rise and curve and working all corners of the zone, Bower finished with 11 strikeouts on the weekend. This pitcher has some serious upside as she continues to gain experience and perfect her pitches.