2026 PG Softball Twin Cities Elite Scouting Showcase
September 19th, 2026
Ashley Mears
BLAINE, MN- Rain may have shortened the weekend but it didn’t shorten the competition. The tournament was STACKED with some of the top teams from South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The 16u division came down to Midwest Speed 16U Nat’l Chell taking home the trophy and shutting out a tough MN Sting National-Makela team. The 18U division came down to Midwest Speed 18u Nat’l Koltes loaded team out slugging Mission 18u National.
16U
Taitum Kostecka (2028 Princeton, MN) of Midwest Speed 16U Nat’l Chell was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year. Kostecka is a speedy left-handed power hitter who is one of the toughest outs around, as she did not strike out a single time throughout the weekend. Starting in an open stance, she uses a jab step to create momentum and drive through the ball. Her top performance of the weekend came in the championship game, where she drove in four runs on two hits. Kostecka finished the weekend with seven hits, including two doubles and two home runs, while driving in five runs. This 2028 has already generated plenty of buzz, and I’m excited to see where her recruiting journey takes her.
Gabrielle Kastamo (2028 Plymouth, MN) of Midwest Speed 16U Nat’l Chell was named the weekend’s Most Valuable Pitcher and also found herself near the top of the Top Hitting Performers list. Her top pitching performance of the weekend came in the semifinals, where she held a tough Peppers National 16U-Tomm lineup to four hits and just one run. Kastamo does an excellent job of pitching to weak contact and keeping hitters off balance. She works with a four-pitch arsenal consisting of a fastball, changeup, drop and rise. Her precision with a fastball that sits in the upper 50s and touches 60 mph makes her especially effective in the circle. She finished her weekend with 16 innings pitched, striking out 14 while allowing just two walks and one earned run. Her ERA on the weekend was 0.44. At the plate, she was just as effective, finishing with six hits, including a double and two home runs, while driving in five runs. An excellent two-way softball player, Kastamo is a name college coaches should add to their recruiting list.
Kenley Staunton (2029 Mankato, MN) of Peppers National 16U-Tomm was a standout leadoff hitter and shortstop throughout the weekend. Everything Staunton does on the softball field looks smooth, from her range and athleticism at shortstop to her quick swing and ability to impact the game on the bases. Defensively, she covers a lot of ground and plays with a smooth, confident approach. At the plate, Staunton has quick hands and gets out of the box quickly, putting pressure on the defense from the moment the ball is put in play. She also showed excellent instincts on the bases, finishing the weekend with five stolen bases. Staunton finished with seven hits, including three doubles, while consistently creating opportunities for her team at the top of the lineup.
Annabelle Waldoch (2028 Rogers, MN), a recent University of Minnesota softball commit and standout for Midwest Speed Nat’l Chell, threw an absolute gem in the championship game, shutting out a tough MN Sting lineup while striking out eight and allowing just two hits. Waldoch does an excellent job of commanding the strike zone, consistently hitting her spots on the corners and baiting hitters into chasing pitches. Her late-breaking curveball and rise ball are her most impressive offerings, both proving highly effective throughout the weekend. Waldoch finished the weekend with 10 innings pitched, striking out 14 while allowing just one earned run. Her ability to command multiple pitches and keep hitters off balance makes her a formidable presence in the circle.
Ruby Fritz (2029 Le Sueur, MN), a left-handed hitter and pitcher for Peppers National 16U-Tomm, was another highly impressive two-way softball player from the weekend. Batting in the cleanup spot, Fritz does an excellent job of using her entire body through her swing, generating strong power and consistent contact. She finished the weekend with seven hits, including three doubles, while driving in four runs. Just a 2029, Fritz has plenty of room to continue developing, and her combination of offensive ability and two-way potential gives her a high ceiling as she continues to mature in the game.
Kelly Iverson (2028 Brooklyn Park, MN) of Midwest Speed 16U Nat’l Kloss was a force in the circle throughout the weekend. Iverson showcased an impressive combination of precision and speed, including a one-hit shutout against MacStrength Grizzlies while striking out 11 batters over five innings of softball. Her rise ball was especially effective, generating swings and misses and keeping hitters off balance. Iverson finished the weekend with 18 total strikeouts through 9 innings pitched. With her ability to command the zone and consistently attack hitters, Iverson continues to stand out as a pitcher to watch in the 2028 class.
Kelcie Sillman (2029 Jackson, MN) of Mission National 16U Skibbie was another young pitcher dealing in the circle this weekend. Although she appeared in just one game, Sillman delivered a dominant performance, throwing a three hit shutout while striking out 12 over five innings against 16U Catalyst National Young. Her curveball and rise ball were especially impressive, consistently keeping hitters off balance and generating swings and misses. Her fastball sat in the lower 60s, giving her an impressive combination of velocity and pitch movement. Still just a 2029, Sillman has plenty of room to continue developing as she grows and matures in the game. Be sure to add this young arm to your 2029 watch list.
Kendall Kapp (2029 Maple Grove, MN) of Minnesota Renegades 16U National is a fiery shortstop and cleanup hitter who brings plenty of pop to the softball field. Kapp was another tough out throughout the weekend, not striking out once while consistently putting pressure on opposing pitching. Starting from an open stance, she uses a big step toward the pitcher to create momentum into her swing. Kapp finished the weekend with six hits, including a double and a home run. An exciting young player with plenty of offensive upside, Kapp is one to keep your eye on in the 2029 class.
Mia Nelson (2028 Plymouth, MN) a left-handed pitcher and leadoff hitter for Minnesota Renegades 16U National caught my eye almost immediately. What impressed me most was Nelson’s ability to call her own game from the circle, showcasing a high softball IQ and the trust her coaches and teammates have in her decision-making. She has an impressive ability to work the outside corner while also willing to attack hitters inside. Her screwball and rise ball were both on point throughout the weekend, keeping hitters off balance and generating swings and misses. Nelson finished the weekend with 12 strikeouts over eight innings while allowing just one earned run. At the plate, Nelson keeps things simple from a slightly open stance and does a great job of controlling the strike zone. She finished the weekend with seven hits, including a double and a home run. Nelson is a true two-way player who impacts the game from both sides of the ball and is definitely a player to check out in the 2028 class.
Ella Fugazzi (2028 Mankato, MN) was a highly impressive hitter for Peppers National 16U Tomm. The highlight of her weekend came in a three-hit performance against ISA 16U Catalyst Donnelly, where she launched two home runs and a triple while driving in four runs. Fugazzi finished the weekend with an impressive 1.879 OPS. At the plate, she starts from a relaxed, balanced, parallel stance and does a nice job staying within herself throughout the swing. She shows good bat speed and the ability to drive the softball with authority, making her a dangerous presence in the Peppers lineup.
18U
Kendall Cochran (2027 Forest Lake, MN) of Midwest Speed 18U Nat’l Koltes was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and for good reason. Behind the plate, Cochran possesses an absolute cannon for an arm and is an exceptional pitch framer. Her defensive ability makes her one of the most impressive catchers I have seen, and she can also play multiple positions in the field at an extremely high level. At the plate, Cochran plays with a swagger and confidence that makes you feel like she is ready for any pitch thrown her way. She finished the weekend with eight hits, including four doubles and two home runs, while driving in 10 runs. Cochran was a difference-maker on both sides of the ball all weekend and continues to show why she is one of the players to watch in the 2027 class. If she is still uncommitted, she would be an impactful addition to a college roster.
Brooke Borwege (2027 Bloomington, MN) of Midwest Speed 18U Nat’l Koltes was the tournament’s Most Valuable Pitcher and was dominant in the circle throughout the weekend. Her fastball tops out at 64 mph, and she does an excellent job of working it to all four corners of the zone. Borwege consistently kept hitters off balance by mixing in her changeup and late-breaking curveball, while her rise ball was especially effective when she got ahead in the count, often finishing off at-bats with swings and misses. Borwege finished the weekend with 16 strikeouts over 12 innings pitched, showcasing both command and an impressive pitch mix. Still uncommitted, Borwege is an elite 2027 arm who has the ability to make an immediate impact at the next level.
Karley Lazella (2027 Bemidji, MN), a pitcher, first baseman and left-handed power hitter for the runner-up Mission 18U National, is an impressive two-way player you have to see. Batting in the three-hole, Lazella’s 6-foot-3 frame and exceptional power immediately set her apart. She crowds the plate and dares pitchers to challenge her inside, while also using her length and strength to drive the ball to the opposite field and into the gaps. In the circle, Lazella worked 10 innings and recorded 11 strikeouts, showcasing her ability to impact the game from the pitching rubber as well. At the plate, she finished the weekend with seven hits, including two home runs, while driving in eight runs. A powerful left-handed bat paired with a hard-throwing arm makes Lazella an intriguing 2027 prospect who is still looking for a college home and could be a great addition to a roster.
Clarissa Clifford (2027 Bloomington, MN) was another impressive hitter from Mission 18U National, putting together a strong offensive weekend. Clifford finished with seven hits, including a double and a home run, while driving in eight runs. She consistently found ways to produce in the middle of the lineup and showed the ability to come through with big hits when her team needed them. Clifford’s combination of power and run-producing ability made her one of the more impactful softball hitters from the weekend.
Aubrie Molyneaux (2028 Ham Lake, MN) of MN El1te 18U Gold put together an impressive offensive weekend, launching three home runs and driving in seven runs. Molyneaux showed the ability to impact the game with her power and consistently produce runs for her team. Her three-homer performance stood out as one of the more impressive offensive performances of the weekend, making her a hitter to keep an eye on as she continues to develop her softball game.
Kaci Reth (2028 Manchester, IA), a leadoff hitter and utility player for CR Blue Devils National 18U Schoulte, was another impressive athlete who caught my eye this weekend. Reth did exactly what you want from a leadoff hitter, consistently finding ways to get on base and finished the weekend with an exceptional .833 on-base percentage. Behind the plate, she showcased excellent framing ability along with an aggressive approach when throwing to the bases. In the batter’s box, Reth starts from a slightly open stance and utilizes a rock back to create forward momentum into her swing. She finished the weekend with eight hits, including three doubles and a triple, while driving in five runs. Reth’s athleticism and ability to impact the game in multiple ways make her a 2028 player who could be a difference-maker at the next level.
Ellie Ditty (2028 Eagan, MN) was the No. 2 hitter for TC Blitz 18U National and did her job at the top of the lineup by consistently finding ways to get on base. Starting from a balanced, parallel stance, Ditty uses a slight hand load before coming forward with the pitch, creating momentum and getting her lower half involved in the swing. She does an excellent job getting her hands quickly through the zone and finishing with full extension. Ditty finished the weekend with eight hits while batting .727. Her combination of bat speed, approach and ability to put pressure on the defense makes her one to follow as she continues to grow and mature in the game.
Alexandra Kostecka (2027 Andover, MN) of Midwest Speed 18U Nat’l Kloss finished the weekend tied as the Top Pitching Performer. Kostecka worked with a fastball in the 57–59 mph range while effectively mixing in a sharp curveball and rise ball to keep hitters off balance. Her ability to attack the strike zone and limit free passes stood out, as she recorded 17 strikeouts while allowing just one walk and two earned runs over 12 innings pitched. Kostecka’s command and effective pitch mix made her a consistent presence in the circle and one of the top pitching performers of the weekend.
Morgan Merchlewitz (2027 Woodbury, MN) of Midwest Speed 18U Gold Gaston was one of the tournament’s top run producers, driving in nine RBIs. Merchlewitz brings plenty of power to the plate, starting with an open stance before utilizing a slight rock back to create forward momentum into her swing. She finished the weekend with six hits, including two doubles and a home run. Still uncommitted, Merchlewitz’s combination of power and production would make her a valuable addition to a lineup at the next level.