IL College Prospect Series

IL College Prospect Series

By: TGE Staff

Over Labor Day Weekend we debuted a new event style called the TGE College Prospect Series. The premise of the College Prospect Series is that college coaches coach the teams, while the club coaches sit back and relax for the weekend.

In this new event style, there are three exhibition games that do not count towards bracket seeding. The brackets are pre-determined but are played out to completion to ensure a champion of the event. This allows the event to still have a competitive nature, while maintaining a showcase style event.

The IL College Prospect Series was the first installment of the format and was widely liked among teams and college coaches.  Fontbonne University coach said, “I really enjoyed being able to pass on my knowledge to the girls as well as get the opportunity to work with other coaches,” while St. Mary of the Woods coach said, “Great experience for me and the recruiting process. Live game interaction was a great success!”

The Southeast Iowa All-Stars showed up ready to compete in bracket play on Sunday. The Allstars were division champions in each division, 14u, 16u and 18u.

Tournament Results

We look forward to the next installment of the College Prospect Series taking place in Kansas City September 16 and 17, 2023.

Preview KC Schedule

Gretna’s Alexis Jensen Commits to Nebraska

Gretna’s Alexis Jensen Commits to Nebraska

September 1st is a big day in recruiting if you’re a junior.  It’s the first day that college coaches can reach out to juniors and offer them scholarships.  For Alexis Jensen (2025), it was a game day, and her team was playing in the NFCA Kaiti Williams tournament.  “It was a game day, so I was trying to stay as locked in as possible and try not to think about anything but our team,” said Jensen. Once the tournament was over, Jensen made it know she was verbally committing to Nebraska.  She sent the following Tweet announcing her decision to join the Big Red. Jensen said she knew Lincoln was the place for her after attending a camp and seeing the Nebraska coaches up close.  “[Coach Revelle] was so bubbly and like a little kid running around and I thought it would be a great fit,” said Jensen.  She added that the coaches were like family and made it an easy decision. The Huskers are getting a left-handed pitcher with a nasty riseball and great changeup.  She also plays first base and can hit.  Jensen currently has a 0.41 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 34 innings pitched.  At the plate, she is hitting .500 with 11 RBI.  Last year, she pitched over 185 innings and finished the season with a 31-2 record while recording 376 strikeouts.  In a game against North Plate, she tied the state record by striking out 20 batters in a game. Gretna is currently 13-1 and ranked #1 by the Omaha World-Herald.  The Dragons are aiming to win a state championship that eluded them last year after losing twice in the state finals.  Their only two losses of the year. Alexis will be joined at Nebraska by her fellow high school teammate Carlie Muhlbach (2025) who also committed to the Huskers.  

Recruiting 2025 – Carr Carves out Road of Success

Recruiting 2025 - Carr Carves out Road of Success

By Jeff Strange

For standout 2025 Abby Carr, the avenue to achievement began at a young age.

“I remember back when Abby was in 7th and 8th grade telling Abby’s parents that she was going to be a Power 5 kid,” said Matt Alvarado, head coach of Select Fastpitch – Alvarado 18u. “They looked at me like I was crazy back then, and look at her now.”

The junior RHP/1B has developed into one of the top prospects to watch in the 2025 class, but her path has been paved through many years of arduous training and a genuine enjoyment for the game that she has grown to savor.                                                          

Carr’s passion for sports started at a young age. With a strong athletic pedigree – mom Katie was a D1 softball player at the University of Pittsburgh and dad Mike played baseball at Missouri State & Scottsdale CC before spending 10 years in the MLB in various roles – Abby took to athletic competition early on.

“I would come home from school and all the kids on the street would play wiffle ball until I had to leave for a practice or lesson,” said Carr. “This is how I learned to play softball. I would swim 3 or 4 days a week competitively and we did softball work 3 times a week. I don’t remember it being work; it was just fun! I was able to be with my friends. Whether it be practice or lessons, we always had something going on and when we didn’t, we were playing wiffle ball outside.” 

It was at around the age of 11 that Abby started to gravitate mostly towards softball.

“I played everything from soccer, volleyball, basketball, competitive swimming, tennis, and even golf,” said Carr. “In fact, my parents did everything to push me not to play softball. They didn’t want me to feel like I had to do what they did. Clearly it did not work!”    

As Abby got older, the combination of her work ethic and advanced approach began to help elevate her game.

“Something that has set her apart has been her maturity,” said coach Matt Alvarado. “I remember back in 2020 when she was a seventh grader, she didn’t carry herself like a 12 year old.”

Fast forward to the present and the 6’0” RHP/1B armed with 66mph heat, a vicious curve and devastating change up in the circle – along with standout power at the plate and a strong glove in the field – has cemented herself as an exciting prep prospect in the 2025 class.

As September 1st approached, Carr was not without emotions.

 

“I felt confident about the work that I had put in and the camps that I have attended,” said Carr. “I was getting good feedback from coaches, along with things that I needed to work on as well. I struggled staying focused leading up until midnight, but I was excited, nervous, and even had butterflies in my stomach. I had a 9:30pm hitting lesson that didn’t get me home until about 10:45pm. Keeping busy was a good thing leading into midnight.”

Once the clock hit midnight on 9/1/23, that’s when the phone began to buzz.

“I received about 15 phone calls, texts, and videos in the first 20 minutes once it hit midnight,” said Carr. “I finally went to bed at 2am. I had scheduled calls on Sept. 1 up until 12:30pm and then had to find a way to get focused to go play a High School game against a really good team from Oklahoma. That evening I had another 15-20 texts and emails to respond to and scheduled 12 more zoom/phone calls over the weekend. It was incredibly overwhelming and flattering. It still is to be honest! I am extremely thankful to every coach that believes in me and has reached out.”

While she has not made an official commitment yet, Carr did indicate that she has narrowed her list of schools down to eight, with four official upcoming visits set up between Big 10, Big 12, SEC, and ACC schools. 

In the meantime, Abby plans to continue putting in the hard work that has led her to this point, while also reflecting on the positive support that she has received from her family and friends.

“My mom always tells me to enjoy the moment and don’t look to the future too soon; you won’t appreciate what’s in front of you,” said Carr. “I would love to win a state championship for my high school, but first we have to get out of one of the hardest districts in the state. I would also like to finalize my commitment as well. I’m thankful that at 9:30pm on any given night that my sister will catch my spins, or early in the morning my parents can throw front toss. Most of my friends all play sports at a high level – whether it be volleyball or soccer – so they are very understanding of my schedule. I have a great group of friends that are supportive and always checking in!”

Abby Carr’s story of focus and a positive outlook offers inspiration for her peers and encouragement for a younger generation of athletes.

“Don’t ever give up,” said Carr. “There is no recipe to success. Passion and hard work will take you the farthest. I was just an average player when I began my journey. My parents gave me every opportunity to help navigate my path and even told me that I don’t have to do this. I choose to work hard and am thankful for every opportunity, good and bad – it has made me who I am today. I would also tell kids and parents to celebrate the small victories. The small victories will turn into big victories. This process is a marathon, and it took me 12 years to get to this point from the time I picked up a ball at age 5.”

Brewster Stars on Big Stage, Where’s Next?

Brewster Stars on Big Stage, Where’s Next?

By: Adam Howe

‘Twas the night ‘fore September
And all thru the land
A lot of girls are nervous
Had they shown their best hand
The work was all done
Their talent is rare
All their hopes and their wishes
Lie with a coach who might care
When the clock strikes 12, will their phones be ringing
Hurry up September 1, they’re tired of dreaming!

*     *     *

Brylee Brewster is as patient and poised as they come when she’s in the circle. 

The 17-year old southpaw has used that same approach for her recruitment journey. 

“My coaches have always told me ‘control what I can control’,” Brewster said. “In games, I try to be the best that I can be with every pitch. And it’s the same with recruiting; if I’m the best that I can be, everything else will work itself out.”

As an 8 year old, Brewster used her natural athleticism to lead her hometown Torque Fastpitch to several tournament trophies. However, as her rare talent began to develop, she and her family knew that a move was necessary.

“I had a lot of fun playing with Torque,” she said. “My dad was one of my coaches and I got to play with a lot of my friends, but when I was only 12, I knew that I loved softball and I just wanted more.”

Enter the KC Peppers.

At 12, Brewster started playing at the 14U level with the KC Peppers and made 2-hour practice trips to be with her Olathe, Kansas based team. After two years at 14U, she moved up within the organization to play 16U as a 14 year old. Two years later, at just 16, she found herself on the 18U squad playing with and against some of the best players in some of the best events across the country.

With the now BC Peppers, Brewster is being charged to lead the next wave of young talent on coach Jeff Wallace’s roster, all while controlling her own recruitment. 

“Brylee is a veteran of the 18U battles, yet only going into her junior year,” Wallace said. “She has pitched against college level talent and is ready to lead a talented group of athletes.”

Wallace went on to say, “She has been playing with college recruiters watching for years. The process doesn’t intimidate her.”

Though she has worked with a few different pitching coaches over the years, Brewster has landed with Tracey Bunge, widely regarded as one of the top pitching coaches in the Midwest.

“Brylee is a joy to coach,” Bunge commented. “She has improved mechanically, has worked hard to improve her core strength and leg strength and her spins have improved on all pitches, but her greatest improvement has been mentally, with her growth and understanding how to work counts and get hitters out. She has gone from a thrower to a pitcher and continues to get better.”

Along with her parents; Wallace, Bunge and several other coaches have helped Brewster ready herself to fulfill that 8 year old little girl’s dreams of taking her next step of getting onto a college campus.

“She is just beginning to tap into her potential,” Bunge said. “Brylee still has a lot of room for growth.”

But where will Brewster nurture that growth?  She’ll have options. 

She answers multiple phone calls and now receives many texts and emails from numerous Division I schools. And with several Power 5’s showing interest, those dreams are even closer to reality than that little girl ever thought.

Papillion Lavista Takes Home Title in NFCA Kaiti Williams Leadoff Classic

Notable performances at the NFCA Kaiti Williams Leadoff Classic

By: Rob Else

Kloey Hamblen (2024) drove in five runs, including a 3-run home run in the first inning, to lead the Papilion Lavista Monarchs (8-3) to a 7-5 victory over the Gretna Dragons (12-1) in the championship game of the NFCA Kaiti Williams Leadoff Classic.  It was the first tournament championship for the Monarchs in three years.

In the championship game, Hamblen ended 2-for-3 with a run scored and five RBI.  Avery Wolfe (2025) added two hits and two RBI.  Carly Bertolini (2025) picked up the win in the circle pitching four innings while allowing five runs and striking out six. 

The Dragons were led by catcher Brylee Rupiper (2025) who went 2-for-2 with three RBI, including a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the second inning.  Carlie Muhlbach (2025) was 2-for-3 with a double.  In the circle, Gretna started with Adeline Fliege (2024) who faced five batters before being replaced by Macy Eitzmann (2024). 

Figure 1 Papillion Lavista winners of the 2023 NFCA Kaiti Williams Leadoff Classic (Photo Courtesy of Papillion Softball Twitter)

The win capped off a 5-0 weekend for the Monarchs against quality competition.  This year’s tournament featured some of the top teams in Nebraska, with 8 teams currently ranked by the Omaha World Herald.  Teams from Blue Springs South (MO), Helias Catholic (MO), Legends High School (CO), Liberty High (MO), Rock Bridge (MO), Silo (OK), and Valor Christian (CO) came from outside the area.

 

The NFCA Kaiti Williams Leadoff Classic is hosted by Papillion Lavista South and Millard North high schools in honor of Papillion South graduate Kaiti Williams who died unexpectedly in 2015 at the age of 22.  Kaiti was an outstanding three sport athlete in high school, becoming the first Titan player to earn 12 varsity letters in her career.  Four each in softball, basketball, and track.  Kaiti attended Wayne State College where she excelled on and off the softball field.  Earning all-conference honors all four years in softball and graduating with honors.  In 2018, Kaiti was elected to the Wayne State College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Notable performances at the NFCA Kaiti Williams Leadoff Classic

Alexis Jensen (2025 – Gretna)

One of the top recruits in the area from the 2025 class, Jensen threw 14.1 innings with 28 strikeouts and only one earned run.  In the Dragons semi-final win over Blue Spring South, Jensen had 9 strikeouts with several college coaches watching from the stands.

Maddison Hoffman (2024 – Blue Springs South)

Maddison Hoffman (2024 – Blue Springs South)

The Western Kentucky commit was good both in the circle and at the plate.  In the circle, Hoffman threw 8.1 innings with no earned runs allowed while striking out 14.  At the plate, she hit .384 with six RBI and two runs scored.

Tarisa Frans (2025 – Elkhorn South)

The lefty leadoff hitter and shortstop for the Storm hit .538 and had five stolen bases for the weekend.  Her fielding included 13 putouts and a triple play.

Kayleigh Fuller (2026 – Papillion Lavista South)

The Titan sophomore pitched 17 innings with only three walks and 13 strikeouts in four appearances in the tournament.

Meet the TGE News Desk Writers!

Top Gun Events is excited to bring more awareness and provide recognition to the game we all know and love! In order to do so, we will be providing coverage on the regions top players, teams, coaches, as well as hot topics in our game. To assist in these efforts, we have added some new members to our team!

 

Rob Else

My name is Rob Else and I’m a cybersecurity consultant and softball dad from Omaha, Nebraska.  I first got involved with softball when my oldest daughter started playing on a club team in 2013.  Ever since then I’ve been hooked.

 Prior to my daughters playing softball, I coached 10 years of select baseball for the Omaha Gladiators.  I have also coached various softball teams throughout my daughter’s careers.  Currently my youngest daughter plays on a 13U club team.

 For the past couple of years, I’ve been covering high school softball in Nebraska with the goal of bringing recognition to players and teams.

Jeff Strange

Hailing from St. Louis, I’m a proud Midwesterner. I’ve been blessed to have been married to my wife for 19+ years and we have two amazing daughters – Aroa (16) and Annaliese (13). I’m a loyal St. Louis sports fan, diligently rooting for the STL Cardinals and STL Blues since my youth. However, my biggest passion now is being on the softball field, whether coaching my daughter’s Top Gun 2010 STL team or catching a game from the sidelines. I love the speed and purity of the game, and the passion and energy that these athletes bring is exciting to watch!

In addition to anything sports related, I enjoy music (a good live concert is soothing to the mind, body and soul), movies, cooking, traveling and reading. I’m a huge dog lover, with my German Shepherd Ruthie being a very loyal companion. 

During the day, I am a District Sales Manager for Mission Foods (in other words, a tortilla peddler) managing a network of distributors who deliver our product line of tortillas, chips and other items to your local grocery stores. I’ve been with the company for almost seven years, orchestrating and overseeing the growth of our position within the category. 

I’ve written sports articles in the past for various publications, and my love of talking softball has led me here. My hope and goals are to help provide insight into the softball world, highlighting some of the athletes, teams, coaches and feel-good stories that can help promote this game. Fastpitch viewership is consistently rising and I look forward to assisting in elevating the game!

Adam Howe

My name is Adam Howe and I have been a journalist for the better part of 25 years now.

I began my journalism career in sales. I have also been a Sports Editor, and I am now the Editor-In-Chief for two rural newspapers in midwest Missouri. I am also the host of a weekly high school football coach’s show broadcasted on the internet and do color commentary for our local high school football webcast. 

I began my journey in softball with my oldest daughter (now 19) over 12 years ago. She quickly moved through the ranks, played at the highest competitive level and is now a sophomore playing at the University of Evansville (IN). I also have a 15 year old daughter who is now also playing at the highest level and is embarking on her own recruiting trail to play collegiately soon. My son, who is 13, is a football player who hopes to also take his sport to the next level in the coming years. All three were/are 3-sport athletes.

I have been married to my wife for 20 years. In our “spare” time (when we are not chasing kids to a field or court), we enjoy the lake with friends. 

My hobbies include most all sports, fishing, playing golf, cards and reading other sports articles online. 

Class of 2025 prepares for September 1

The start of the 2025 recruiting process is nearly here. Important thing to remember, September 1st is just the start! Many opportunities will occur over the next 12-months, and it may be a rollercoaster. What happens tonight or tomorrow does not define you as a student athlete, only a small percent will be contacted over the next 10-days.

 

That being said, here is how you can prepare and enjoy the journey!

  • Phone Voicemail: Make sure you establish a professional voicemail recording that includes name and greeting.
  • Email: Check your email daily at a minimum
  • Social Media: Think before you post, I would not recommend mentioning any school or coach regarding contact.
  • Journal: I would recommend a notebook to record all contact, document the following;
    • Date
    • College
    • Coach
    • Type of contact: Email, Text, Voicemail, Call
    • Topics of discussion
    • Next step
  • Calendar: Have a calendar with your schedule for September, October, November
  • Academics: Have an idea of your intended major, your GPA through Sophomore year, and ACT or when you plan to take the ACT

This is going to make the process much easier as you will have all the information you need when reviewing discussions.

 

Keep in mind, many coaches no longer contact on 9/1, but rather wait to avoid the clutter!

 

Here is a real-life example of the process; Suzi Q was contacted by X and Y schools in September of 2022, they and others have been a rollercoaster. However, in the last 5-weeks she has been contacted by multiple schools, went on 4 visits, and has great offers from School 1, School 2, School 3, etc.

 

Enjoy the Journey!

Top Gun Ranger

Top Gun Events brings to you this weekend the Top Gun Ranger, for teams of ages 10U through 18U. This event will take place Friday through Sunday (May 19-21) and is located in Overland Park, Kansas at Blue Valley Recreation Sports Complex.

 

The Top Gun Ranger is a first-year event and for many teams, will be their first Top Gun Tournament. These teams are looking forward to taking the next step into elite level softball and Top Gun Events is excited to assist them in doing so.

Teams include:

 

12U

Team Name: Ankeny Xtreme 12u black

Coach Name: Kelli Ott

Twitter Handle: @Ankeny_AGSA

2022 Nationals Results: 16/54 11u open

2022 Fall Successes: 3rd place in 12A State. We have lost in bracket play to a team from Peasant Valley Iowa in our last 2 state tournaments.  Finally earned a hard fought 1-0 win against them earlier this month.

Key Players:

  • Pitcher – Meryl Sandholm – good speed, hitting 53-55mph?  Incredible change. Opponent BA .142
  • SS – Breeze Bentz – Team leader and great athlete.
  • P – Cailey Horner
  • C – Emmy Ott
  • OF – Reagan Hogan
  • IF – Tenley Heidemann
  • OF – Kenlee Faber

Expectations for the 2023 Spring/Summer Season: This team is a “city” team that has played together since 8u.  All these players attend school in Ankeny, Iowa.  Ankeny Girls Softball only has teams through 12u.  Next year will bring changes for these girls, whether they move on to club ball or school ball.  They want to show they can hang with any of the club teams around the Midwest – and got a glimpse of their ability last year at Nationals.  They made the Gold bracket and finished in the top 16, though their goal was top 8.  This year they bring a little more size and have worked hard in the off-season – especially on their hitting.

 

Team Name: Nebraska Storm 12U

Coach Name: Cory Bachman – Assistants: Channon Oseka, Tony Eitzmann, Laura Marsh

Twitter Handle: @NEStorm12U

2022 Nationals Results:  USSSA Midwest Nationals23/53

2022 Fall Successes: We spent the greater part of the fall of 2022 ushering in four new kids and integrating them into our team.  We had two second place finishes in 12U tournaments and competed very well at the 14U age level.  Throughout the fall the girls created a very close relationship, began to understand roles and function as one. Overall, the girls did a phenomenal job of creating some great chemistry which has led us to a successful start to our spring/summer season.

Key Players:

  • Averi Bachman C/Utility
  • Alex Ballard P/SS
  • Skyla Whitten C/1B
  • Kourtney Dowding P/3B

Expectations for the 2023 Spring/Summer Season: As a coach, I would love for them to continue to grow both physically and mentally throughout the game.  When these girls play selfless, fast and aggressive the ceiling is extremely high. The girls have a lot of talent and ability, both of these will only get you so far.  We are working to teach them proper mindset, utilizing every girl’s drive to help them become the best version of themself on and off the field.  As a team, we look to continue playing deep into the weekend, every week pushing to achieve and attain goals set from within.  Most importantly, we truly and wholeheartedly want these kids to create memories and have fun, enjoying the time with one another.

 

Team Name: Synergy 12U Clurman

Coach Name: Cameron Clurman

Twitter Handle: No Twitter (Synergy Softball Organization, LLC for Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok)

2022 Nationals Results: 7th 11A Nationals

2022 Fall Successes: 2nd Place 12A Showcase

Expectations for the 2023 Spring/Summer Season: 100% Focus on Attitude and Effort with an improved record in 12A, Gold Flight Finish in all major events, and a Top 10 finish at 12A Nationals in Florida.

 

14U

Team Name: Athletics Russell 09

Coach Name: Sophia Lopez and Sydney Cure

2022 Fall Successes: 11-10-2 record

Key Players:

USA All American Selections (12u):

  • KP Pierson
  • Hayden Young
  • Tania Thomas

USSSA All American Selections (12u):

  • Addison Coffey
  • Sophie Young

Expectations for the 2023 Spring/Summer Season: Team is building towards making their Colorado Sparkler Debut in June.

 

Team Name: Originals 08

Coach Name: Jason Moss

Twitter Handle: @Original2008

2022 Nationals Results:

  • Top Gun Invite-Maverick- 12th place out of 44 teams. We were the last first year 14U team left before eliminated.
  • Midwest Nationals 9th place out of 51 teams
  • PGF Regionals Championships 5th place

2022 Fall Successes:

  • PGF National Qualifier-5th place
  • Perfect Game November KC Fall Showcase-1st place

Key Players:

  • Pitchers- Lucia Trevino, Maci Ann Cass, Katie Stephenson, Haylee Wait
  • Top Hitters: Katie Stephenson, Jacie Gentry, Maci Ann Cass, Riley Hollister, Brynlee Johnson, Tayah Garringer
  • Top Defense: Riley Hollister, Haylee Wait, Brynlee Johnson, Jacie Gentry, Alesa Kastle
  • Speed: Alesa Kastle, Allie Goble, Kyndall Hay, Lucia Trevino

Expectations for the 2023 Spring/Summer Season:

  • 14 TG Spring Invite: Record
  • 5-1; 3rd place
  • Easton Ghost Series: Record 6-0; 1st place
  • Top Gun Heritage: Record 5-3; 1st place
  • PG Elite 40 Scouting Showcase-16/18U: Record 5-2; 3rd place

 

Future Tournaments:

TG Ranger

USA Memorial Day Invite

Tulsa Elite Summer Invite

Top Gun Invite

Colorado Sparkler Supplemental Power Pool

World Fastpitch Championship

 

Team Name: Team Kansas Elite 14U – Hays 14U

Coach Name: Patti Hays

Twitter Handle: @TeamKansasHays

 

Team Name: St. Louis Chaos 2010

Coach Name: Rachel Gill

Twitter Handle: @stlchaos2010

2022 Nationals Results: Top 10 USSSA

Key Players:

  • Kaelyn Deckerd P/SS .404 BA 635 SLG
  • Teresa Hutchcraft P/1B
  • Maddie Robinson SS/C .483 BA 672 SLG
  • Natalie House C/3B .417 BA

Expectations for the 2023 Spring/Summer Season: As a second year 12u team we have played all but 1 tournament at 14U thus far. We have won one and placed 2nd in another. This team is full of talent, and it has an incredible pitching staff.

 

16U

Team Name: Defiance Elite 16u Granquist

Coach Name: Kristen Granquist

Twitter Handle: @DefianceElite

2022 Nationals Results: Top 10 Finish, USFA Nationals

 

2022 Fall Successes:

High School Accomplishments (MO)

State Finishes–

Genny Greiwe (2024), 2nd Place MSHSAA Class 5 (Francis Howell HS)

Kenzie Ellison (2026), 2nd Place MSHSAA Class 5 (Francis Howell HS)

Ella Lause (2024), 3rd Place MSHSAA Class 4 (Washington HS)

Kiera Daniel (2025), 4th Place MSHSAA Class 4 (Warrenton HS)

 

RHP Evvie Blankenship (Sullivan HS, 2025)–

#3 in STL in Games Pitched (28)

Top 5 in STL in Complete Games (22)

Top 10 in STL in Shutouts (6)

Top 15 in STL in Strikeouts (156)

Top 25 in STL in ERA (2.47)

Top 25 in STL in Ks/Game (7.57)

 

RHP Emma Dixon (Winfield HS, 2025)–

Top 15 in STL in K/BB ratio (5.86)

Top 20 in STL in WHIP (1.03)

Top 25 in STL in ERA (2.58)

Top 35 in STL in Ks/Game (7.30)

 

INF Izzie May (North Point, 2026)–

Top 50 in STL in Runs Scored (34)

 

Key Players:

Our pitching staff has been one of the major keys to our success this year.

RHP Evvie Blankenship (Sullivan HS, 2025)– ERA: 2.1 // WHIP: 1.31 // K/INN: 0.85 // OBA: .237

RHP Emma Dixon (Winfield HS, 2025)– ERA: 0.86 // WHIP: 1.29 // K/BB: 7.0 // SAVES: 3

RHP Kenzie Ellison (Francis Howell HS, 2026)– W-L: 3-0 // K/INN: 0.98 // OBA: .250

 

Also, we have a great core of 2024’s who are looking to commit to play in college at some point this summer/fall.

INF UTL Ella Lause (Washington HS, 2024)–

State Championship 2021

CF Rachel Ross (Parkway North HS, 2024)–

Home to 1st: 2.85 // AVG: 0.412 // OPS: 1.006 // RBI: 8 (9 games)

INF Raina Ross (Parkway North HS, 2024)–

Home to 1st: 2.84 // SB: 4 (9 games) // AVG w/ RISP: 0.333

OF Genny Greiwe (Francis Howell HS, 2024)–

OPS: 1.700 // SLG: 1.200

Last weekend, Genny hit 2 HR in one game! Check our @DefianceElite TikTok page to see them!

C Brooklynn Kittrell (Pacific HS, 2024)–

OBP: 350 // – // Pop time: 1.84 sec // CS%: 40% // PB (27 inn.): 1

OF Morgan Braun (Sullivan HS, 2024)–

State Championship 2020

 

And the spark plugs of our team are…

INF Izzie May (North Point HS, 2026): AVG: 0.318 // OPS: 0.757 // Contact %: 86.36%

C/INF Lily Delmain (Eureka HS, 2025)– PB (21 inn.): 1 // OBP: 0.409 // OPS: 0.830 // RS (9 games): 7

INF Kiera Daniel (Warrenton HS, 2025)– Home to 1st: 2.84 // FPCT: 1.000 // BABIP: 0.667

OF Kiersten York (Liberty Wentzville HS, 2025)– Home to 1st: 2.69 // FPCT: 1.000 // OF Assists: 2

 

Expectations for the 2023 Spring/Summer Season: Our team is entering its second summer with the majority being returners from last year. Having played 4 tournaments already this spring, 2 getting rained out for Sunday, we’re happy with how we’ve grown up to this point. A few weeks ago, we finished top 3 in an HFL qualifier after earning 1st place in pool play.

This is a team of very competitive, driven players. I can honestly say I’ve never been a part of another team that has each other’s backs more and also holds one another accountable for the standards we have set.

Our team culture words our players chose for this season are Competitive. Relentless. Dedicated. United. And it is clear that they work every day as a team to uphold these traits.

 

Team Name: KC Bombers Gold Adkins (KC Bombers 16u)

Coach Name: Jamie Adkins

Twitter Handle: @KCBombersAdkins

Key Players:

  • Ps: Addison Cole, Trinity Krause
  • OFs: Hannah Winburn, Lindsey Green
  • IFs: Joselyn Gartner, Madison Dudok
  • Cs: Taylor Tessman, MJ Hoosier

Expectations for the 2023 Spring/Summer Season: Continue growing as a team and achieve a winning record in every tournament we attend.

 

Team Name: KC Phoenix 16U – DP

Coach Name: Drew Page

Twitter Handle: @16UPhoenixKC

Nicki G. Classic powered by Top Gun Events

Nicki G. Classic powered by Top Gun Events

Top Gun Events was ecstatic to be chosen as the host company for the Nicki G. Classic for 2023. The Nicki G. Classic honors Nicki Glatter. Glatter passed away December 9, 2014 from cervical cancer. For the past nine years, Ryan Glatter, husband of Nicki, has hosted the Nicki G. Classic on Mother’s Day in her honor and founded the Nicki G. Foundation. In the past nine years, 17 scholarships have been awarded by the Nicki G. Foundation to players competing in the event. Teams participating in the tournament will wear jerseys donning the #19 on the back in honor of Nicki G., teams are also encouraged to wear a color of their choice in representation of a type of cancer that may have impact someone on their team, or someone close to the team.

This year, the Nicki G. Foundation will host the the First Annual Nicki G. Foundation Blood Drive on Sunday, May 14th, from 9:00am-3:00pm at Westchester Fields.

The Nicki G. Classic will host some of the top teams in the region in a 14u division and a combined 16u/18u division (HS), view teams attending.

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