Event Preview: Heartland College Showcase

By: Trey Donovan

Going alongside the Tulsa Elite Summer Invite, the Heartland College Showcase is running this weekend from June 7 through June 10. The event will be played at the Blue Valley Recreation Complex and Adair Park in Lee’s Summit. The tournament is run through an open division and an invite division with around 136 teams signed up across both divisions. The event will have 14u, 16u, and 18u teams from Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado, Iowa, South Dakota, and Kansas.

 Gate Fees:

Children (1-12): Free

Teens & Adults (13-64): $12.00

Senior (65+): $6.00

Military: Free

Check out some of the teams joining us below!

14u Invite

Kansas Renegades Enfield

Coaching Staff: Leeza Enfield and Robert Thomas

Team Social Media: Kansas Renegades Enfield (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: In summer 2023 as a first year 14’s team we placed 5th in the Kansas-Missouri USSSA State Championship, and we went 18-11-1 for the season. In fall 2023 we had two 1st place finishes and three 3rd place finishes. In spring 2024 we won 1st in the Mother’s Day Play for Rings and 2nd in the Wichita 7 Game Showdown.

Key Players: Emerson Hiebert pitcher and infielder who brings morale to this team every chance she can play hard and does whatever she can for the team.

Lexie Brasser is an outfielder and middle infielder with a great attitude and great addition to the team. She also brings a strong bat to this team.

Jaycie Thomas all around utility player who can play anywhere on the field the team needs her to play and brings a strong bat to the team.

Kylie Matthews pitcher who continues to improve her pitching abilities.

Expectations for 2024 Season: We expect to continue to play many exceptional teams this summer. In doing so we will be challenging ourselves so that we can improve our game and be the best version of our team. We will instill the love of the game by cheering each other on that way we can succeed on and off the field.

TBSA Wahoos ’09 Smithers

Coaching Staff: Bob Smithers, Chris Jones, and Josh Warren

Team Social Media: @tbsa_wahoos_09 (Twitter/X), TBSA Wahoos ’09 (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 9/8: PG College Showcase Louisville Slugger (Peoria, Il) 3 -2 losing twice to same pitcher, shut out first game and put up 8 next. (Schlader 2027 twice) –  9/22: LP4U Queen of the Hill 3-2  (Peoria, Il) – 10/14: Top 100 Showcase (Grand Park, IN)  2-3 with 3 one run games losses – 10/22: PG Top 100 Showcase 5-0 (Chesterfield, MO),  10/28: LP4U Showcase 3-1 (Peoria, Il).

Key players: Addi Jones ’27, C/CF, #40: incredible leadoff hitter with slap and power, L/L, blocking, framing, and picking are off the charts.  One of the fastest players you will see on the field, constantly pushing the envelope making plays happen. Her secondary position is CF and is a D1 talent there as well.  Addi is currently in the final 4 of the Illinois State Finals as the leadoff hitter, currently hitting over .400, OPB .580, leading the conference in runs scored.  She is also playing 3B and well, as a lefty, an amazing athlete!

Khloe Kearns ’28, P, #16: spin rates are off the charts.  5 pitch arsenal with Fastball (60), Screw Ball (58), Rise (58-60), Curve Ball (56) and Change (dies midway in, 42-45).  Has pitched in the national spotlight on ESPN a year ago and dominated.  Khloe pitches with an edge and calmness that is hard to find a balance in.  The power and movement mixed with incredible changeup she gets a lot of swing and miss, and soft contact.

Elle Smithers ’27, SS/3B #1:  Left-handed power bat (L/R), runs the bases well, will be one of the better defenders on the left side of the infield at any tournament.  Strong arm, very fast feet and always in the game assessing the game, communicating with her teammates.  She has been a leader that this team has leaned on, whether it be a moment that we need picked up or just to calm the team in a big moment.  Was named 1 of 4 varsity captains this year, as a freshman. Finished freshman season with a .980 OPS (15 singles, 9 doubles, 4 triples, 3HR), a true leader with D1 talent.

I could keep going, they are all very disciplined at the plate and defensively.

Expectations for 2024 Season:  Showcase in front of as many schools on all levels as possible this year, staying focused on the Midwest where all the players will attend college in some capacity.  We are unique to most teams we compete with; we have a very close-knit group.  All have played against or with each other competing since 8U.  We have continued to add talent throughout central Illinois but have a core of 6 that have pushed each other for the last 5 years.    We have an indoor facility that allows us to work year-round, keeping up with the national programs.  My expectations this year are to make several “grocery lists” as we can heading into 16U.

ROI Fastpitch Kessler

Coaching Staff: Brad Kessler.

Team Social Media: @R.O.I Fastpitch (Twitter/X), R.O.I Fastpitch (Facebook), R.O.I Fastpitch (Instagram).

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Summer record: 75-15-3, Fall record: 19-2.

Key Players: Gabriyella Kessler #77-Shortstop, Raegan Brandt #7/Pitcher, Maisey McCarty #55/Pitcher/1st, Courtney Bandy #16/Pitcher.

Expectations for 2024 Season: To continue to develop and compete at the highest level against the best teams.

16u Invite

St Louis Chaos Roth

Coaching Staff: Jeff Roth and John Kiene.

Team Social Media: @chaos08Roth (Twitter/X), St Louis Chaos National 16u Roth (Facebook), @STLCHAOS08ROTH (Instagram)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 3rd place finish at USSSA Nationals and 2nd place finish at PG Midwest Iowa Nationals.

Key Players: 2025 Sophia Otten – 3B, 1B, RHP

2025 Jalaya Ries – OF

2026 Coley Hunt – Catcher, Utility

2026 Summer Branch – RHP, 3rd

2026 Aidan Dintelman – RHP, 1B

2026 Ameila Raziq – 3rd, 1st, Catcher

Expectations for 2024 Season: Build a strong team foundation, promote the girls and finish strong in the Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series.

Nebraska National Taylor 16u

Coaching Staff: Brett Taylor & Kirsten Dargy

Team Social Media: @NENational08 (Twitter)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes:

-42-29-3 playing an elite level schedule last season

-1st Place at Top Gun NE National Tourney

-2nd Place at Top Gun Thunder/NE Gold Tourney

-2nd Place at USSSA 16) Swing into Spring

-3rd Place at Top Gun Swing into Spring Tourney

-4th Place at USSSA SEC National Championship

-7 Top 4 finishes out of 10 tournaments (not including rain shortened/canceled tournaments)

-14U PGF Nationals at large bid (Platinum Division)

Key Players:

-Maizey Carpenter

-Toria Rother

-Lauren Schneider

-Elli Ridgley

-Alexa Taylor

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: We are an improved team over last year. We have a great group of girls and parents. Our goal as coaches is to continue to develop our players to help them reach their potential.

18u Invite

South Dakota Renegades McDougall

Coaching Staff: Kara McDougall and Ashley Mickschl. Kara – 2019 National Champion at Augustana University as a player, 2021 National Champion at West Texas A&M as a graduate assistant. All NSIC and All NSIC Academic, NFCA Scholar Athlete

Ashley – 2019 National Champion at Augustana. D2 National Championships Tournament MVP. 4X NFCA All American. Won 114 games in her career at Augie.

Team Social Media: @south_04 (Twitter/X)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: South Dakota State Champions 16u, 18u Top Gun Elite Champions, Boulder IDT participant.

Key Players: Paxton Dekkers – Uncommitted 2025 1B/3B/DP who is just tapping into her power potential. In 22 games this high school spring season Paxton hit .491 with 28 hits, 6 doubles and 8 home runs. had an OPS of 1.636.

Madison Evans – dominant pitcher that misses barrels. Elite two-way player that often hits from the lead-off spot as well. Led her high school to an undefeated season and state championship in the spring of 2024. Committed to University of South Dakota

Amanda Vacanti – Game changing power. 17 doubles and 19 home runs in summer 2023. Committed to South Dakota State University.

Norah Christiansen – Energy leader with a lot of power in the middle of the lineup. Plays to win and can play anywhere on the field with elite arm strength. Committed to Augustana University (SD).

Claire Wynja – An absolute gamer and leader on the field. Has great range, great speed and can hit for both power and average from the top of the lineup. Committed to South Dakota State University.

Tierney Schramm – breakout season in summer of 2024 with 19 doubles and 5 home runs moving back and forth from middle infield to the outfield. Walked 39 times from the left side. Committed to Augustana University (SD).

Expectations for 2024 Season: This team has been in the works for many years. Watching these players develop into the elite players they are, has been a joy. They work hard, stay focused while having fun and enjoy the process behind everything. We expect them to compete and play against the best across the nation this summer in preparation for many to go off to great colleges and universities this fall or to come back for their senior year. They have a grueling 8-week schedule against some amazing competition, and I can’t wait to see how it continues to push them to get them ready for their collegiate careers.

Nebraska Gold Jarzboski

Coaching Staff: Edward Jarzobski (9th year coaching competitive softball), Maurice Anderson (10th year coaching competitive softball, NE Gold coach Team Anderson and Softball President MUS) & Dave Hobza (7th year coaching competitive softball)

Team Social Media: @negold18u (Twitter/X)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 6 seniors went on to play in college (1 D1, 1 D2, 1 D3, 3 NAIA), All 12 of our current seniors are committed to play in college (2 D1, 4 D2, 6 NAIA)

Key Players: Mackenzie Groniga, Emi Waldow, Katelyn Jarzobski, Addy Hobza, Kriestyn Linn

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Goal is to finish top 4 Top Gun Viper and top 10 in Top Gun Championship

St Louis Chaos 18u Mazzola

Coaching Staff: Steve Mazzola, Randy Viefhaus, Katlyn Thomas, and Skeeter Gentile.

Team Social Media: @stlchaos04 (Twitter/X), St Louis Chaos 18u-Mazzola (Facebook), Stllouischaos04 (Instagram).

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 2023 was a fun year with lots of girls committing to schools and playing in some of the best tournaments in the country. Probably one of the most memorable tourneys of ‘23 was the Alliance National Championship in California. After we got our girls back in the fall from Missouri High School Softball, we competed in 3 exposure tournaments before headed into December.

Key Players: Sophi Mazzola-University of Washington

Emma Gipson-Southern Illinois U-Carbondale

Hailey Nuener-Harvard University

AJ Jones-Loyola University

Lauren Nichols-Southern Illinois U-Edwardsville

Carle Bachman-Southern Illinois U-Edwardsville

Lauren Rowland-Missouri State University

Jay Brister- Northern Illinois University

Trinity Brandhorst-University of Illinois-Chicago

Tyra Haffer-Southwest Baptist University

Kylie Witthaus-Southern Indiana University

Expectations for 2024 Season: Have fun and make it a memorable one for our seniors. To prepare all of these kids for the next level and win some ballgames! The goal is to make it to Super Regionals in the Alliance National Championship and see what happens.

18u Texas Glory Agnew

Coaching Staff: Taylor Agnew, Ryan Zamudio, and Molly Huffman.

Team Social Media: @TXGloryCO (Twitter/X), Texas Glory, CO – Agnew (Facebook), tx_glory_co (Instagram).

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Finished fall season 8-1; Finished 5-0 @ Don Battles On, outscoring opponents 54-16. Fall season- scored 80 runs, allowed 25. No 2023 summer season.

Key Players: Hadley Hudson, 2024 RHP, Southwestern Oregon CC commit. Reagan Diamond, 2024 C, Carnegie Mellon commit. Kaylee McDonald, 2024 3B, Ohio University commit. Marisol Miranda, OF, uncommitted. Avery Salisbury, 2025 SS, uncommitted. Reagan Agnew, 2024 2B, Hutchinson CC commit. Natalynn Lundeen, 2024 C, Hamline commit. Lia Martinez, 2025 3B, uncommitted.

Expectations for 2024 Season:  Our expectation is to be competitive in every game we play. Win or lose, we compete on every pitch of every inning. Of course, we also want to win and look to finish at the top of each tournament. Through all this, we want our players heading to college in the Fall to be as prepared as they can be to step foot on campus.

14u Open

Synergy Gold Clurman 14u

Coaching Staff: Cam Clurman (head coach), Willie Dean (assistant coach) & Jeremiah Feurt (assistant coach)

Team Social Media: Synergy Softball Organization (Facebook), & synergysoftballorg (Instagram & TikTok)

2024 Summer & Fall Successes: 2nd place at Road to the Beach 12A Nationals in Destin, FL

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Competing in Top Gun Events, PGF Stars and Stripes, 13A Nationals in Nashville, TN.

KC Rebels Lickel

Coaching Staff: Dan Lickel (head coach), Megan Arnott (assistant coach), Bob Waddel (assistant coach) & Mitch Hughes (assistant coach)

Team Social Media: KC Rebels 14A Lickel (Facebook) & @KCRebelsLickel (X)

2023 Fall & Summer Successes: 1st Place Swing for the Rings

Key Players: All of ‘em.

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Top Gun Ranger, USA Memorial Day, Top Gun Discovery Showcase, Top Gun Heartland Showcase, PG Recruit Revolution Showcase, USSSA Dust & Diamonds, USA Heartland World Series

16u Open

Tenacity Hagardt

Coaching Staff: Sarah Hagardt, Jeff McCoy, and Kenny Clinton.

Team Social Media: @tfhagardt (Twitter/X), Tenacity Fastpitch – Hagardt (Facebook), @tfhagardt (Instagram).

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: We, as a team, strive to push our ladies to a higher level while maintaining the love of the game.  We played a tough schedule, placing the ladies in events that were above their skill level at the time, to show them the levels that can be achieved with hard work and determination.  They succeeded in so many ways and learned valuable lessons along the way.  We ended strong with a nice showing in a national tournament, finishing in 3rd place.  It’s not about the wins and losses, as it is about teamwork, commitment, and playing for each other.  Success can be found in many ways, and to measure that in our year, we were very successful.  It allowed several of our players to break out and get awarded in their high school level endeavors.

Key Players: We are big believers in win as a team and learn as a team.  Each player has a place, and this can’t be done with just one player.  We do have some successful players in their respective high school teams that make it a key to our success.  Without these players to push us along, we would be a much different team.  They are our engine and our leaders.

Kendall McCoy- #0- P/OF

Brie Chilton- #23- P/1B

Taryn Hagardt-#1 SS

Rylee Harper- #19- OF

Kara Goeke-#42 P/1B

Harlow Hawkins- #21 C

Mylee Harper- #14 OF

Expectations for 2024 Season: We will continue to build on the past successes, while pushing to new levels.  Continue to build new skill sets and instill confidence at whatever level they play.  Allow them to have fun and be who they are yet showing them how to be first class pillars in their schools and communities. We challenge them to be better every day.

KC Bombers Adkins

Coaching Staff: James Adkins, Aaron Kaden, Makena Adkins & Cody Winburn

Team Social Media: Bombers KC Fastpitch (Facebook) & @KCBombersAdkins (X)

2023 Fall & Summer Successes: As a young 15U squad, we saw a lot of development amongst our players and finished with an overall 31-31-4 record against strong competition from across the Midwest.

Key Players: Pitchers Addison Cole & Trinity Krause and hitters Madison Dudok, Joselyn Gartner & Hannah Winburn

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: We are playing a Top Gun heavy schedule, also with trips to Nebraska and to the Southeast Bombers Invitational in Mississippi with the goal of playing competitive winning softball and providing our players an opportunity to play in front of college coaches from across the country.

18u Open

KC Rebels National Ingle

Coaching Staff: Mark Ingle, Buddy Letts, and Ivana Taylor.

Team Social Media: @KCRebels_Ingle (Twitter/X), KC Rebels National Ingle (Facebook).

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 6/7 – 6/9 Top Gun Heartland College Showcase
6/13 – 6/16 AFA National Championship (St. George, Utah)
6/21 – 6/23 KC Metro A Championship
7/1 – 7/7 IDT Colorado (Louisville, CO)
7/11 – 7/14 Top Gun Events Elite Championship
7/19 – 7/28  PGF National Championship (Huntington Beach, CA)

Key Players: MaKenzie Yoder, 2024, SS/OF

Salah Williams, 2025, OF/UT

Emma Reeves, 2025, MIF/OF

Addison Arbo, 2026, RHP/1B

Kaylee Wood, 2027, CIF, OF

Primetime Koozer

Coaching Staff: Head Coach Todd Koozer & Assistant Coaches Kelsey Koozer and Alyssa Grewcock

Team Social Media: @Primetime_Kooz (Twitter) & primetimesoftball06.com

Key Players:

-2024 Kaidence Dumas – Quincy University commit, powerful hitter who will pitch, play 3B and 1B

-2025 Makala Koozer – Uncommitted, great speed, slapper/power slapper, OF

-2024 Avery Gossett – Fort Hays State commit, great athlete, really good power at the plate, OF

-2024 Morgan Stock – College of St. Mary’s commit, very fast, versatile hitter, OF

-2025 Sydney Atkins – Uncommitted, pitcher & has become a good hitter

-2024 Joslyn Policky – Southeastern CC commit, catcher, SS, 3B

Expectations for the 2024 Spring Season: As a team, we have always prided ourselves on developing kids and getting them prepared for the next level by using a team first mentality and competing against high level competition. This team was created with the purpose of having fun, while still being able to accomplish those high goals and expectations.

Event Preview: Tulsa Elite Summer Invite

By: Trey Donovan

The Tulsa Elite Summer Invite kicks off this weekend on June 7 and finishes on June 10 in Broken Arrow, OK at Arrowhead Park and at Bentley Park in Bixby, OK. The three-day event will have teams from Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. The event will have 12u, 14u, 16u, and 18u teams. The 16u and 18u teams will play at Arrowhead Park while the 14u and 12u teams will play at Bentley Park.

Tournament Pass Fees:

Adults aged 18-64: $20.00

Seniors: $10.00

Children aged 10-17: $10.00

Children under 9: Free

Check out some of the teams joining the tournament below!

12u

Texas Elite Premier

Coaching staff: Bryan Simmons and David Churchill.

Team Social Media: @TEP2k11 (Twitter/X), Texas Elite Premier 12u (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: For fall and summer seasons we have finished top 5 in tournaments 5 times, top 3 two times, and top 2 one time.

Key players: Jana Anderson, Ashlyn Childress, and Samantha Blalock

Expectations for 2024 season: Finish ranked top 5 in the state of Texas again

Legends Fastpitch 2011 Select

Coaching Staff: Alayna Farris, Kory Bible, and Mele Lone

Team Social Media: Legends Fastpitch 2011 Select (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: We are coming off two great seasons that have built on each other. The summer of 2023 ended with a top 8 out of 43 finish in the gold bracket at the Midwest National Championship in Des Moines, IA. During the fall of 2023, the highlight was finishing in the top 4 at the PGF Midwest Shootout in Broken Arrow, OK! A tournament loaded with the top 2011 teams! We don’t shy away from competition!

Key Players: Rylee Stark- pitching, our Ace can hit a spot at any given time, Kyndal Clark- pitching, she brings the needed speed to vary up our pitching, Zoey Farris- catcher/outfield- she is a force behind the plate and covers so much ground in the outfield. Zoey is also clutch when needed and has had many walk offs last season and this season, Bree Shoemake- 1st/outfield- the lefty can swing the bat and drive in runs.

Expectations for 2024 Season: I expect this team to continue competing with the best competition out there. We have shown time and again that we can compete at any level, whether it’s our own 12u age group or playing up in 14u. I anticipate another year of success as we capitalize on our growth this season, both physically and mentally.

14u

Select Fastpitch Waters

Coaching Staff: Diane Waters, Susan Kuzmic, and Fred Frantz

Team Social Media: @SelectWaters (Twitter/X)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Fall record 26-9-1. Many first place and top three finishes.

Key Players: Gabby Frantz, Logan Waters, Liz Peery, Emma Hadley.

Expectations for 2024 Season: Continue to develop and take softball IQ to the next level.

OK Bombers King

Coaching Staff: Casey King (head coach) & Cody Warner (assistant coach)
Team Social Media Handles: @OkBombersX09 (X), OkBombersX09 (Instagram) & Oklahoma Bombers X09 (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Runner up at USSSA Gulf Coast National Championship

Key Players: Kylie King (RHP/1B), Abigail Rainey (SS), Kynlee DiLibero (C/UTL), Landen Warner (OF/1B), Kenzie Howard (C) & Jaziah Pierce (UTL)

Expectations for 2024 Season: For 2024, our expectations have been set high, and we look to have success in the most competitive tournaments in the area. We are excited about competing in lots of great events, where we will get to compete against lots of quality teams! We have been, and continue to, put in lots of hard work and feel like we can compete with any team we play. We are excited about attending the Sparkler tournament in Colorado and look to earn a berth in the Alliance Championship in California. Focus on improving every time out, we have been playing at a pretty high level and look to keep that trajectory going upwards and getting consistently better!

16u

Legends 16u National Team

Coaching Staff: Lance Nations, Kyle Jordan and Taylor Crowell.

Team Social Media: Legends Fastpitch 16u National (Facebook), @LegendsFastpit2 (Twitter/X)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Summer of 2023, we played 14U A ball with a record of 47-20-1. Key wins over Midwest Speed, Nebraska Quakes, Epic Fastpitch, Texas Glory Naudin, Athletics Mercado 2026, American Freedom, Impact Gold, Vison 2026, Aces and Select FP to name a few, as well as tied Hotshots Premier. Earned our ticket to the Alliance Championship, Won the 2023 USSSA 14A National Championship. Fall of 2023 we moved to 16u A. with a 20-7 record and Key Wins over Aces, Top Gun, Vision, Apex National, Tulsa Elite, Illinois Force and Iowa Slammers to name a few. Finished 1st in several events as well the CBC Showcase in Central Arkansas.

Key Players: 2027 – Catcher Olivia Nations lead the team with a .377 BA followed by 2027 Tayla Vance with a .360 and only had 3 k’s in over 27 games played. Nations also led the team with 20 hits. 2027 Rylin Stringfellow lead the team in OBP with a .444 followed by 2026 Iris Still with a .431. 2027 Ella LaBounty led the team in SLG % with .818 and 4 HRs 9 doubles and 3 triples and lead with 23 RBIs. Followed by Stringfellow with a .774 and 3 HR. Vance stole 15 bases followed by 2027 Regan Crusinbery with 13.

Pitching staff: 2027 Rylin Stringfellow, Callie Jordan, Ella LaBounty, and 2025 Kylee Walters combined for 161 strikeouts. Stringfellow led the rotation with 45 strikeouts and a combined ERA of 3.92. LaBounty posted an ERA of 2.05 and they had a combined opponents batting average of .274.

Expectations for 2024 Season: Our expectations for the 2024 season is to compete against some of the best competition our area has to offer and get our girls in front of as many college coaches as possible. We are young but making a impact on the game and really turning some heads. Our main focus is competing and getting our kids seen.

Colorado Stars Kapelke

Coaching Staff: Jeremy Kapelke, James Sandoval, Javier Saenz, and Ryan Wheaton.

Team Social Media: @Cstarskapelke (Twitter/X), Colorado Stars Kapelke (Facebook), CO_Stars07 (Instagram).

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Tied for ninth in the IDT and the TC World Series.

Key Players: Pitcher Jenna McGinnis (2027), middle infielder Kiley Wheaton (2026), pitcher Brynn Trujillo (2025), catcher Neila Lucero (2025).

Expectations for 2024 Season: Six tournament wins so far this season with five of them being at the 18u level. Continue to build on that.

Pryme 16u Premier – Ray

Coaching Staff: Jeff Ray, Katie Ehrlich.

Team Social Media: @prymefastpitch (Twitter/X)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Semi-finalist at Ringneck International Invite. Finished as Sunday Qualifier at the Texas Glory Shootout (final 8 out of 70+ teams). 5-2 record at the Heartland Showcase. Perfect Game Play4Jay 18u Champs. TCS City of Lights Fall Showcase, 5-0 record. Runner up at Perfect Game Scouting Combine Championship.

Key Players: Paiton Hedges, C/1B (2025), Brookyln Ray, C/IF (2025), Riley Westmoreland, OF/MIF (2025), Adisyn Peetoom, RHP (2025), Abbi Godfrey, MIF/UT/RHP (2025), Isabell Daniels, SS/3B (2025).

Expectations for 2024 Season: 24-9 so far in 2024. PG OKC Challenge and PG Play4Jay 18u Champs. Expectations are to compete deep in every tournament we enter and find the best recruiting fit for our 2025’s by the end of the summer season.

Prime 16u National

Coaching Staff: Doug Steritt, Jason Miller, Ellie Johnson.

Team Social Media: @ar_prime_sb (Twitter/X), Prime Softball Academy (Facebook), ar_prime_sb (Instagram) @prime_sb5 (TikTok).

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: This is a new team.

Key Players: Skylar Steritt, MIF/OF, being recruited by Arkansas, Baylor, and Kansas. One of the best athletes – male or female – in Arkansas (2026). Sadie Steritt, MIF/OF, best bat to ball skills in the organization as a 2028 (2028). Mady Hokams, C/3B, 70 mph arm and 1.68 pop time (2027). Addison Fulbright, OF/C, plus athlete with several college offers (2025). Kaydee Brown, RHP, rising star in the organization and on multiple college radars (2026). Kend’ra Terry, LHP, 60+ mph arm with massive natural movement (2027).

Expectations for 2024 Season: We love this team and have high expectations for them when they get their legs underneath them. Skylar is truly one of the top players in America that very few know about yet. She’s an 11-time state champion in Arkansas as a sophomore in softball and track. Mady Hokams is as good of a catcher defensively as you’re ever going to find and she’s a 9th grader. The arms have big upside, and we think that this group’s overall athleticism will translate to big success going forward.

18u

Top Gun Gammons

Coaching Staff: Greg Gammons, Kaityln Gammons, and Justin Jeter.

Team Social Media: @TGF_17_National

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 7-3 record as a new team in the fall. Second place at the Space Coast Invitational.

Key Players: Emma Jane Ogle (2024, William Jewel College), Curstin Todd (2024, Northwest Missouri State), Erza Medrano (2025), Marissa Riggle (2025), Cayden VonSande (2025), Elly Robbins (2025).

Expectations for 2024 Season: Looking forward to a great spring helping our seniors prepare for the next level and wrapping up our 2025 recruiting.

Prime 18u National

Coaching staff: Jay Lupo, Lucien Loyd, James Lyle, Bill Camplain.

Team Social Media: @ar_prime_sb (Twitter/X), Prime Softball Academy (Facebook), ar_prime_sb (Instagram) @prime_sb5 (TikTok).

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Made it to the quarterfinals of the Tulsa Elite Fall Invite. Top five finish at the World Fastpitch Championship in KC. Third place at the HFL Fall National Championship.

Key Players: Emory Bowlin, RHP, one of Arkansas’ top pitchers (UCA, 2025). Alaina Lyle, LHP/1B, one of the top two-way players in Arkansas (Ouachita Baptist, 2025). Abby Lowery, OF, elite athlete that doubles as a track star (Arkansas Tech, 2025). Ally Mendoza, OF, wizard with the leather (National Park CC, 2024). Sara Camplain, OF, high-ceiling power-slapping LHH (National Park CC, 2024). 10 of the 12 players on the roster are committed to schools at the next level.

Expectations for 2024 Season: We expect this group to continue their ascension on the national scene. They’ve gotten better and better every year, and we expect that to continue this summer. We think this is the best version yet. Our goal is to come to events like the TE Invite and win them.

Nebraska Gold National Singleton

Coaching Staff: Beth Singleton, Craig Boyer, and Brock Anderson.

Team Social Media: @NebGold18s (Twitter/X)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Tulsa Elite Invite 18u Champions, third place at Easton Rawlings Invite, and third place at Top Club Nationals.

Key Players: RHP Mila Fiordalisi (Cornell), C Kiara Bellido (Syracuse), SS Skarlett Jones (Nebraska), SS Kaylie Whidden (Wisconsin), RHP Elysa Hydock (Northern Colorado), UTL Kiley Kindelspire (Drake).

Expectations for 2024 Season: Neb Gold looks to have another solid summer with the goal of top finishes at some of the big National events. The experience and leadership of Whidden will be counted on to anchor a young core of versatile athletes.

18u Impact Gold Bryant

Coaching Staff: Misty Bryant and Candain Callahan.

Team Social Media: @IGDFW_Bryant (Twitter/X), 18u Impact Gold Bryant (Facebook).

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Finished top six in Tier 1 at Team 1 Invite. Finished second at TFL Fall Championship.

Key Players: C Maggie Castaneda (2025), SS Payton Alexander (2025), CF Nevaeh Carter (2025), pitcher Alexis Taylor (2024).

Expectations for 2024 Season: My expectation for this season is to get my 2025’s committed and for the girls to enjoy one last summer with our eight seniors.

Vision Gold 18u

Coaching Staff: Erica Derryberry, Larry Tinkler, Kenzie Derryberry (member of Missouri State Softball team).

Team Social Media: @FastpitchVision (Twitter/X), VisionFastpitch (Facebook), vision_gold_18u (Instagram).

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 18U Vision Gold had a great 2023 season, winning the Top Gun Prospect Series Tournament and the Perfect Game Elite 8 Invite. We also finished 5th in the Perfect Game Fall Elite Showcase, and 3rd in the upper flight of the Tulsa Elite Fall Invite. We also had very good showings last summer at the Tulsa Elite Invite, Top Gun Invite (Maverick Division), Scenic City Showcase, and World Fastpitch Championships.

Key Players: Alexis Franklin has been a big-time performer for us, leading us last season in both hitting and pitching.  She set multiple Arkansas High School State records this year and will be attending Pitt State in the fall to attend school and play softball. Amber Turner has been a force at the plate for us. She just finished helping her Bentonville High School team to, yet another state championship hit .800 for us in our first weekend out this summer.  She will be attending Tulsa University in the fall to attend school and play softball. Kadence Janney has helped us a ton both on the mound and at the plate. She is a true 3-way player who will be attending Missouri Southern in the fall to go to school and play softball. Keeley Elsea is an absolute force at the plate. She hit .395 for us last fall and dominated her high school season as well.  She will be attending Southwest Baptist University in the fall to go to school and play softball.

We currently have 4 uncommitted players:

Talyn Jackson (2025 C) – Talyn started behind the plate every game this spring for her Rogers High School team and can absolutely smash the ball at the plate.

Cindy Barger (2025 UTL) – Cindy is a strong defensive player for us, no matter where we ask her to play.  She also is one of our top hitters on the squad.  Last fall she had our 2nd highest batting avg at .472.  Cindy is a clutch hitter, who consistently comes up with big hits in big situations!

Madi Schoonover (2026 1B/3B/C) – Madi is a young player who can SMASH!  She hits the ball with tremendous velocity and can put the ball out of the park at any moment!

Joclyn Strickland (2026 RHP/1B) – Joclyn just recently joined our team, but she was the starting pitcher for her Rogers Heritage High School team and batted in the middle of the lineup for them all season.  She has excellent power at the plate and great command of her pitches.  She is going to be a huge part of our team this summer.

Expectations for 2024 Season: We have very high expectations for this summer.  We came off a great summer and a tremendous fall season (22-5-1) last year.  This is the most experienced team we’ve had in a long time, with 9 seniors currently on the squad.  The team chemistry we have is unmatched, and this group has the ability to compete with anyone we step on the field with!

Event Spotlight: Tulsa Elite Summer Invite

By: Trey Donovan

The next iteration of the Tulsa Elite Summer Invite is coming up on June 7. The tournament has been held since 2011 and has become a key tournament for many softball teams throughout the states to travel to. It has also garnered a ton of attention from the collegiate scene as the tournament is a good showcase for college recruiters to look for new players.

Before the tournament became a key element of the summer season, Tulsa Elite Sports has hosted tournaments since 2007. The tournament has seen a lot of teams compete over the past 13 years and has seen many players get recruited to schools.

The tournament has become a national phenomenon in the softball world and many of the sport’s current stars have played in it – Rylie Boone, Megan Grant, Kayla Beavers, NjJaree Canaday, Jayda Coleman, and Lexi McDonald to name a few. All of these players are playing in the Women’s College World Series this week.

With stars coming from all around the states, the tournament has become a spot for college coaches to recruit. Tulsa Elite Sports built the tournament to be a showcase opportunity for the 18u and 16u teams to be recruited. The tournament has seen more and more players recruited in recent years due to the growth of the event over the years.

The tournament is split between two parks, separated by age groups, at Arrowhead Park in Broken Arrow, OK and Bentley Park in Bixby, OK. The 18u and 16u teams play at Arrowhead Park while the 14u and 12u teams play at Bentley Park. Initially, that wasn’t the setup for the tournament.

“The first year [of the tournament] was in Bixby, Oklahoma with only four fields, 16 teams, and around 15 college coaches,” founder of Tulsa Elite Sports Jeff Filali said. “The intention was always to build a strong recruiting event that catered to recruiting. In 2013 we moved [16u and 18u] to Arrowhead Park after we expanded to 96 teams.”

The motto of Tulsa Elite Sports running events has been “Quality over Quantity,” and the Tulsa Elite Summer Invite is no different. Their goal is to maximize college exposure, cater to college coaches and travel teams, all while not growing out of control and “lose their value.” Since Tulsa Elite Sports started hosting tournaments, they have focused on getting the top competitors in one spot giving them opportunities to play and showcase their talents to college recruiters.

“While coaching Tulsa Elite starting in 2007 and as a former college coach at Butler CC, I traveled nationwide to almost every event out there. Many of them started growing so big that they had to use more and more complexes to fit all the teams,” Filali said. “This spreads all the teams out, but most of the college coaches only go to the main few parks where the best teams are playing. All the teams are paying the same entry fee, but those playing at complexes further away from the main complexes do not see many college coaches or scouts, if any.”

The plan, according to Filali, is to always stay in one complex for the tournament to give every team and athlete a chance to get scouted. That is what he means by “Quality over Quantity” when running the tournament.

In the fourteenth iteration of the tournament don’t expect anything to change as the best of the best will be there alongside college recruiters. The tournament is a melting pot of talent and opportunity for everyone involved and it will be a competitive fight for the top spot in all age groups, just as Tulsa Elite Sports intended from the start.