Perfect Game Des Moines Elite Scouting Showcase 2026
Indianola. IA
Ashley Mears
What started off a perfect weather weekend, unfortunately was cut short due to thunderstorms mid-morning on Sunday. In the 18u Division, the Iowa Gold Prospects and the Midwest Speed National Kotzmacher were undefeated. In the 16U Division, 515 Fastpitch Twogood and Iowa Premier Gold- Brower. The tournament featured a ton of solid hitters and pitchers from across the state and Minnesota. Even with the poor weather on Sunday, there was still plenty to see and write about!
18u Division
Lexi Adams (2028 Ankeny, IA), a catcher for Iowa Gold Prospects, had a stellar weekend at the plate. Behind the plate, Adams shows strong command of the game and does an excellent job working the zone, using her framing ability to consistently give her pitchers a chance to earn borderline calls. At the plate, Adams starts from a slightly open stance and does a great job getting her body moving forward with the pitch, allowing her to transfer her momentum through contact. Adams is not cheated in her at-bats and consistently attacks the ball. She finished the weekend with seven hits, including one triple and two home runs, while driving in a tournament high nine RBIs. This 2028 is one to get on your radar if you don’t have her there already.
Tegan Halverson (2028 Johnston, IA) did her job at the top of the lineup for USA Prime Central Iowa 18U, consistently finding ways to get on base throughout the weekend. Halverson reached base in seven of her eight plate appearances, collecting seven hits, including two doubles, a triple and a home run, while driving in six RBIs. Halverson is very aggressive on the bases, swiping five stolen bases as well. Her ability to consistently produce at the top of the lineup and her speed once she gets on the bases, made her a key offensive piece for USA Prime Central Iowa 18U. Another great 2028 prospect to add your recruiting list.
Delanie Lyftogt (2027 Van Meter, IA) was an absolute force for Alliance Select Howard 18U this weekend. Starting from a wide, balanced stance, Lyftogt uses a big step to create momentum and effectively get her lower half involved in the swing. She consistently generates power and drives the ball with authority. Lyftogt finished the weekend with four hits, three of which were home runs, while driving in eight RBIs. An unsigned 2027, Lyftogt is a power bat who could make an immediate impact in any lineup.
Leah Helmick (2027 Birmingham, IA) of the Black Dragons 18U was another Top Hitting Performer on the weekend. Helmick takes a simple, controlled approach at the plate, her weight transfer starts with a slight rock back before she works forward with the pitch, allowing her to stay balanced and drive through the ball. Helmick finished the weekend with six hits, including a double and two home runs, while driving in seven RBIs. Her consistent approach and ability to produce for the middle of the lineup make her a solid addition at the next level.
Jillian Wosmansky (2027 Adel, IA), a left-handed pitcher for Alliance Select 18U Howard, found herself at the top of the Top Pitching Performers list. Wosmansky is not an overpowering strikeout pitcher, but she does an excellent job of moving the ball around, keeping hitters off balance with her off-speed pitches and allowing her defense to make plays behind her. She consistently locates the ball on the outside corner, creating weak ground balls and pop-ups—exactly what you want from a pitcher. Wosmansky’s softball pitching arsenal includes a fastball, changeup, rise and drop, with her fastball sitting in the 53-55 mph range and her highly effective flip change coming in in the low 40s. Wosmansky finished her weekend with 18 innings pitched and 10 strikeouts. Still uncommitted, she would be a great addition to a college softball pitching staff looking for a left-handed pitcher who can disrupt a lineup and keep hitters uncomfortable throughout an at-bat.
Ellianna Mason (2029 Des Moines, IA) of Iowa Aries 18U was a force in the circle this weekend. Mason consistently sat in the upper 50s with her fastball while effectively working the zone both horizontally and vertically. I was especially impressed with her ability to attack all areas of the zone and keep hitters guessing. Mason finished the weekend with 16 strikeouts over 11 innings pitched. As a 2029 competing and holding her own in the 18U division, Mason has an extremely high ceiling. With continued development of her pitch command and added velocity, her upside is exciting to watch.
Sara Pearson (2027 Des Moines, IA), a right-handed pitcher from Midwest Speed 18U Clark, led the weekend in strikeouts. Pearson works with a four-pitch mix of fast ball, change up, rise and drop, doing an excellent job attacking all four corners of the zone. Her willingness to utilize her changeup throughout the count keeps hitters off balance and creates swings and misses. The highlight of her weekend came in a shutout performance against Iowa Aries, where she recorded five strikeouts. Pearson finished the weekend with 16 strikeouts over 11 innings pitched. Still uncommitted, Pearson has the ability and tools to compete at the next level.
Payton Harris (2028 Mediapolis, IA) is the complete player for the Black Dragons 18U. You can find Harris on the field, in the circle and even behind the plate, and she excels at every single position. Harris landed in the Top 10 in both the Hitting and Pitching categories this weekend, which comes as no surprise to anyone who has watched her play. Behind the plate, Harris commands the field, is aggressive when throwing to the bases and works hard to frame pitches and earn those close calls for her pitchers. In the circle, she utilizes a five-pitch mix that includes a fastball sitting in the 55-58 mph range, changeup, rise, drop and drop curve. She finished the weekend with nine strikeouts over 13 innings pitched. In the batters box, hitting in the three spot, Harris is aggressive and confident in the box and does not get cheated in her at-bats. She finished her weekend with seven hits, including a double, triple and home run. Harris brings the complete athletic package and has the versatility to make an impact in multiple areas for a collegiate softball program.
Hayden Gookin (2027 Mt Vernon, IA) a University of Iowa commit and playing for the Iowa Gold Prospects was the weekends Top Hitting Performer. Gookin had an absolute monster of a weekend at the plate racking up eight hits which included two doubles, three homeruns and eight RBIs. The two way threat was also a force on the mound where she threw eight strikeouts through four innings pitched. Gookin will be a difference maker next year for the Hawks on either side of the ball!
16u Division
Addison Mease (2028 Urbandale, IA) of Iowa Premier Gold-Bower was the weekend’s Top Hitting Performer. Batting out of the three spot, Mease uses a balanced stance with a slight rock back before coming forward with the pitch, creating momentum and allowing her to utilize her lower half effectively. Her ability to work the count and wait for her pitch helped propel an impressive weekend at the plate, successfully reaching base 9 out of 10 times. Mease finished her weekend with seven hits, including two doubles and two home runs, while driving in seven runs. Her combination of plate discipline, power and ability to capitalize on pitches in the zone made her one of the standout hitters of the weekend. Mease is a highly impressive 2028 to add to your radar.
Elyse Baugh (2029 Johnston, IA) of 515 Fastpitch-Twogood was the clutch power hitter you want in the middle of your lineup, finishing the weekend with a tournament-high 11 RBIs. Baugh starts with a wide stance and uses a quick toe tap to create momentum and transfer power through the swing. She has an aggressive approach at the plate and the raw power to do damage when she gets her pitch. That combination was on full display throughout the weekend as Baugh finished with six hits, including two doubles and a home run, while driving in 11 runs. Baugh has the kind of power that can change an inning, and as she continues to gain experience and develop her game, she is a 2029 worth keeping a close eye on. Her upside makes her an exciting young softball hitter to watch as she continues to develop.
Sadie Taylor (2029 West Des Moines, IA) of Midwest Elite was an impressive power hitter who finished among the top of the Hitting Performers list. Taylor starts with a slightly open stance before bringing her front foot parallel with the pitch and using a big step to create momentum, transfer her power and get her lower half involved. What stood out most was her patience at the plate. Taylor did a great job working the count and waiting for the pitch she wanted, and once she connected, her power took over. Taylor finished her weekend with six hits, including two doubles and a home run. She has an exciting combination of patience and power at the plate, and I see a ton of upside in her as she continues to develop and mature in the game. I’m excited to continue following this 2029 throughout her softball career.
Addilyn Good (2030 Winterset, IA) of Alliance Select Hotchkiss was the weekend’s Top Pitching Performer. Good showed an impressive six-pitch arsenal that included a fastball, changeup, curve, drop, rise and screw, and did an excellent job of mixing her pitches and working all areas of the zone. Her fastball consistently sat in the mid-50s, while her change up came in around 40 mph, giving hitters a good change of speed to work against. Good finished her weekend with 16 strikeouts over 10 innings pitched while allowing just one earned run and a WHIP of 0.80. For a 2030, her ability to command such a deep pitching arsenal already makes her an exciting pitcher to watch. As she continues to grow and develop, I expect her velocity to continue to increase, and I’m excited to follow her progression throughout her softball career.
Tenley Smith (2030 Winterset, IA) was another outstanding pitcher for Alliance Select Hotchkiss and turned in one of the weekend’s most impressive performances. Working with a five-pitch mix of fastball, changeup, rise, curve and drop, Smith did a great job keeping hitters off balance and changing speeds throughout her outings. Her fastball sits in the 53-55 mph range, and she showed confidence in her change up and curveball to keep hitters guessing. Smith’s standout performance came on Saturday when she threw a perfect game against Iowa Aries and finished with 10 strikeouts in that game. Smith has an incredible amount of upside as a 2030, and as she continues to add velocity and mature in the game, she is a pitcher I’m excited to continue following throughout her softball career.
Madilynn Quinn (2029 Ankeny, IA) was an impressive arm for Iowa Premier Gold-Bower this weekend. Quinn’s fastball consistently sat in the upper 50s, and she did an excellent job working the zone both horizontally and vertically. She mixes in her off-speed pitches when needed to keep hitters off balance but primarily relies on her fastball and drop ball. Quinn finished the weekend with 10 strikeouts over seven innings pitched. She has a strong foundation to develop into an impact pitcher, and I’m excited to continue following her as she adds to her pitch mix and continues to develop her velocity.
Avery Bower (2029 Ankeny, IA) of Iowa Premier Gold-Bower continues to impress in the circle weekend after weekend. Bower works with an impressive five-pitch mix of fastball, curveball, rise, drop and changeup. She does a great job establishing her curveball early in the count before using her rise ball and changeup to finish off hitters. Bower finished the weekend with eight strikeouts over six innings pitched, allowing just one earned run while posting a 1.17 WHIP. Her ability to mix pitches and keep hitters off balance continues to make her an arm to follow.
Kaylee Krueger (2029 Johnston, IA) of Alliance Select Hotchkiss was another impressive power bat on display this weekend. Batting out of the leadoff spot, Krueger did an excellent job setting the table and getting herself on base while also coming through with clutch hits when her team needed them. She finished the weekend with seven hits, including a double and two home runs, while driving in five runs. Krueger’s combination of power and ability to produce from the top of the lineup makes her presence felt every time she steps into the box. She is an athlete I’ll continue to follow as she develops.
Lizzie Camp (2028 Douds, IA) of Black Dragons 16U once again found herself near the top of the Top Pitching Performers List. Camp works with a five-pitch mix of fastball, changeup, drop, curveball and two-seam, using her pitch variety to keep hitters off balance throughout the weekend. She carried the load for Black Dragons, throwing 11 innings while striking out 14 batters. Camp did an excellent job moving the ball around the zone and mixing in her changeup, keeping hitters off balance and guessing at the plate. Her ability to command multiple pitches and change speeds makes her an exciting pitcher to continue following.