By: Madison Feldhahn
Top Gun Events will be in Kansas City this week for the Top Gun Elite 20 Futures Spring Invite. The tournament will feature 31 teams across the 12u and 14u age groups from Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Games will be held at Central Bank Sporting Complex and Mid-America West Sports Complex.
Each team will have two pool play games before starting the double elimination bracket. The 12u age group will be split into three pools. The 14u age group will have five pools. Pool play starts on Friday at 6:00 PM. It will resume on Saturday at 8:30 AM.
Bracket play for the 12u teams will start at 12:00 PM, while the 14u bracket will start at 2:30 PM. Games will run until 7:00 PM. The bracket play will resume Sunday at 8:00 AM.
Gate Fees:
Children (1-12): $5.00
Teens & Adults (13-64): $10.00
Senior (65+): $5.00
Military: $5.00
Check out some of the teams joining us below!
12u
R.O.I Fastpitch McMullan
Coaching Staff: Joe McMullan (head coach) & Julio Rodriguez
Team Social Media: ROI Fastpitch (Facebook) & @ROIFastpitch (X)
2024 Summer & Fall Successes: 9u Midwest National Champions (Summer 2023), 10 Open – Top 5 finish in PGF-Diamond Legacy Tournament (Fall 2023), 10B – Undefeated (14-0) in USSSA (Fall 2023), 10 Open – USA World Series Runner-Up (Summer 2023), 27-7-1 Summer 2023 record & 19-4 Fall 2023 record
Key Players: Selena Rodriguez – shut down pitcher, 8-3 fall record with 106 strikeouts and 2.64 ERA; Sophia Rodriguez – brick wall catcher & power hitter with .592 batting average & .638 OBP; Autumn McMullan – true utility player, .477 batting average & .567 OBP; Ashlyn Hull – phenomenal base runner with 30 stolen bases
Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: We would like to play in top level tournaments such as Top Gun & PGF, not only playing in those top level tournaments, but to be able to compete. We want to grow our IQ and situational awareness. We want to mature in the game physically and mentally.
14u
Iowa Aries Elite Ohorilko
Coaching Staff: Brian Ohorilko & Kari Price
Team Social Media Handles: @Iowa_Aries (X), Iowa Aries Fastpitch (Facebook)
2023 Summer & Fall Successes:
Fall Champions of:
-Team 1/Alliance FP STL Xposure Fall Invite in St. Louis, MO
-PGF Diamond Legacy Shootout & Showcase in Broken Arrow, OK
-PG Iowa City Scouting Showcase #1 in Iowa City, IA
-PG Elite 16 Illinois Scouting Showcase in Peoria, IL
-PG Elite 16 Minnesota Scouting Showcase in Minneapolis, MN
-USSSA CIS Spooktacular in Des Moines, IA
Key Players:
-Berkley Weiland (SS/OF) – RH/Throw, LH/Hit. Slapper. Amazing speed. Great defensive player.
-Kaylan Pray (SS/UTL) – RH/Throw & Hit. Excellent hitter & defensive player.
-Ivy Ohorilko (C/UTL) – RH/Throw & Hit. Power hitter, excellent defensive player.
-Karter Price (P/UTL) – RH/Throw & Hit. Excellent pitcher.
-Leela Appeldorn (MIF/UTL) – RH/Throw, LH/Hit. Excellent hitter and defensive player.
Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Iowa Aries encourages our high school players to participate in high school softball this time of year. The program will have a very light tournament and travel schedule this spring and summer supplementing our player’s high school workouts. We cannot wait to get back in full swing in the fall of 2024.
Kansas Renegades Enfield
Coaching Staff: Leeza Enfield (head coach) & Robert Thomas (assistant coach)
Team Social Media: Kansas Renegades Enfield (Facebook)
2024 Summer & Fall Successes: In summer 2023, as a first year 14’s team, we placed 5th in 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.
Key Players: Emerson Hiebert (P & INF) brings morale to this team every chance she can, playing hard and doing whatever she can for the team. Paige Stroot (C) excels at everything she does and puts everything she has into the game and promotes morale during every inning. Her bat brings a lot to this team. Jaycie Thomas (UTL) can play anywhere on the field that her team needs her to play and brings a strong bat to the team. Kylie Matthews (P) continues to improve her pitching abilities.
Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: We expect to continue to play many exceptional teams this spring. 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.
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
Wasco Diamonds 14u JE
Coaching Staff: Jason Edwards (head coach) & Kristyn Crawford (assistant coach)
2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Finalist at the NAFA Mom’s Day Rock tournament, consistently showed determination and resilience in tough games
Key Players: Every player on our roster possesses the ability to excel in multiple positions. Our athletes approach each role with the same level of commitment and dedication, knowing their contributions are vital to the team’s success.
Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Beyond wins and losses, the primary focus remains on fostering a culture of learning, growth, and personal development, both on and off the field. Players are encouraged to push beyond their limits, embrace challenges, and strive for continuous improvement.
