Event Recap: Nebraska Thunder Fundraiser powered by TGE

By: Madison Feldhahn

In the 14u age group, the teams were split into three pools. Iowa Aries Elite Ohorilko, Millard Fury Gold Vance, and NE Storm Prime Bachman 13u all went undefeated through pool play. Millard Fury Gold Vance led the pool standings in runs scored with 31. Iowa Aries Elite Ohorilko scored 27 runs and did not allow any against them.

The 16u age group had four pools. There were dominant performances from several teams. Nebraska National Taylor 16u, Nebraska Thunder Johnson, Nebraska Thunder Dillon, and Nebraska Cougars Behounek led their respective pools, going undefeated.

The 18u age group was split into two pools. Nebraska National Hoelscher and Nebraska Quakes Jonas finished the pool play undefeated. Nebraska Quakes Jonas scored 31 runs while allowing only 9 runs.

Bracket play took place on Sunday.

The 14u champion was Iowa Aries Elite Ohorilko. The team had a dominant performance from start to finish. The team had just four runs scored against them in a game against Millard Fury Gold Ruelas in the semifinal. Outside that game, the closest score was 6-0 against Nebraska Thunder Bennett.

Iowa Aries Elite Ohorilko faced Nebraska Storm Prime Bachman 13u in the final. Iowa Aries won 19-0. In total, the team scored 32 runs during bracket play alone. The team scored 59 runs across the entire weekend.

Primetime Eadus walked away the 16u champion. After finishing 2-1 in bracket play, Primetime Eadus was a two-seed. The team put up a good fight during bracket play, scoring 21 runs and allowing just 7 runs. Their largest margin of win was 8-1 against Nebraska Cougars Behounek. Primetime Eadus beat Nebraska National Taylor 16u 4-3 to win the bracket.

The winner of the 18u bracket was Nebraska National 18u Bahl. The team finished second in the Pool A after going 2-0-1. In bracket play, the team’s closest game was 3-2 against Prodigy Fastpitch Roth. Their largest margin of win was 10-4 against Nebraska Quakes Bowen. In the final, Nebraska National 18u Bahl defeated Nebraska Echoes Madsen 5-2. Sydney Mennenga scored a home run in the finals for Nebraska National 18u Bahl.

Thank you to the teams who participated in the Nebraska Thunder Fundraiser Powered by Top Gun Events this past weekend!

Event Preview: Nebraska Thunder Fundraiser

By: Madison Feldhahn

The Nebraska Thunder Fundraiser powered by Top Gun Events runs from April 5 to April 7 in Papillion, NE. Top Gun Events is excited to host the event in conjunction with the Nebraska Thunder/Gold Organization. This event will feature thirty-nine teams from Nebraska, Iowa and Canada.

Each team will play three pool play games before starting bracket play. This is a single elimination bracket and the champion of each division will receive a berth to the 2024 Top Gun Invitational. Pool play for both the 16U and 18U division will kick off at 6:00 PM on Friday. 14U will begin at 7:35 PM Friday. Games will run from 9:00 AM to 8:05 PM on Saturday and from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM Sunday.

Gate Fees:

Children (1-12): $5.00

Teens & Adults (13-64): $10.00

Senior (65+): $5.00

Military: Free

Take a closer look at some of the teams joining us below.

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 supplement our player’s high school workouts. We cannot wait to get back in full swing fall of 2024.

Millard Fury Gold Vance

Coaching Staff: Mark Vance, Ryan Boozikee & Charles Starkovich

Team Social Media Handles: @FuryGoldVance (X)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Finished the year 56-25, NE Class B USSSA State Champions, USSSA Midwest Nationals Open Silver Bracket National Champions, Finished the year off winning the 14U Boo Bash in Lincoln, NE

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: For 2023-24, we have changed organizations to provide better exposure for our players and enable us as coaches to assist those that want to play college softball. We are playing a very tough schedule at A and Open level and, with the move to the new organization, we are getting opportunities to play against better competition to help our team grow. We have very big goals for the year and it might not show at the end of the year in our record. But we, as coaches, wanted to challenge our girls and we have seen them step up already through winter workouts. We have never had a more cohesive team and such a great group of girls from attitude to effort across the board.

Nebraska Quakes Carson ‘09

Coaching Staff: Jen Carson (Head Coach) & Assistants Lynn Griffis, Susan Stagid & Sarah Gutschow

Team Social Media Handles: @NEQuakesCarson

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Tied for 9th in the USSSA Midwest Championship, 1st Place at Under Armour Championship in KC, 1st Place in York in 16U Division, 3rd Place in USSSA Super 48 Invitational in KC, 1st Place in Blair Invite, 2nd Place at Heroes Classic in Hastings, 7th Place at USSSA 16U State

Key Players: Paityn Spencer, Alex Finley, Lexi Skradski, Hope Stadig, Liv Wenz

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: We are looking to challenge ourselves each time we step foot on the field. We want to compete with the best teams locally and out of state. Win or lose, we seek to get better each game and practice to develop as a team, as individual players, and as humans.

Nebraska Quakes Chonis

Coaching Staff: Don Chonis (Head Coach) & Assistants Karlie Chonis, Casie Volkmar & Bryan Nielsen

Team Social Media Handles: @NEQuakesGold13U (X), nequakesgold_13u (Instagram) & Nebraska Quakes Gold Chonis (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: New Team

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: To compete at the Class A/Gold level & get ready for the jump to high school

Nebraska Thunder Bennett

Coaching Staff: Jenny Bennett, Kurt Pohlmann & Jake Bergren

Team Social Media Handles: @NThunderBennett (X)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 1st Place in the Jayhawk Slugfest, 2nd Place in the Kansas City Memorial Tournament, 2nd in the Nebraska State Tournament

Key Players: Kaylee Huffman, Addalynne Bergren, Allie Bergman, Aurelia Gramd

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: We are looking for our girls to compete with confidence, have fun and continue to love the game.

16U

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/cancelled 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.

Nebraska Quakes Gilpin

Coaching Staff: Don Gilpin (Head Coach), Steve Asher (Assistant Coach) & Rob Novak (Assistant Coach)
Team Social Media: @NEQuakesGilpin (X) & NE Quakes Gold 15U Gilpin (SportsRecruits)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 51-23-5 record in 2023, in 14A/HS class, 1st place USSSA Battle for the Bling 14A NIT, 2nd place Bennington Spring Bash HS, 2nd place Quakes Classic, 1st place KS/MO 14A State Tournament, 3rd place Ringneck 14A

Key Players: A strong core group of players that has grown together for several years. Each player on this roster has a high set of expectations and will contribute greatly to our successes in 2024.

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: As a young 15U team returning our entire roster from 2023, we will be looking to continue challenging our players and building upon previous successes, as we prepare them to compete at the next level. A serious pitching staff, backed up by solid defense, and a dangerous batting lineup sets the bar high for this young group of outstanding athletes!

Nebraska WAVE Bergantzel

Coaching Staff: Head Coach Blaine Bergantzel, Assistant Angela Hagaman, Assistant Rich Chubbuck and Student Assistant Madison Tilson
Team Social Media: @NEWavesFastpitch (X) & Nebraska Wave – Bergantzel (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: NE WAVE 15U is a newer team for 2024.

Key Players: Team consists of players from Hiawatha, KS., Gretna, Lincoln and surrounding communities

Shaylee Heidtbrink (2026 P/UTL), Allarie Wilson (2027 P), Molly Bergantzel (2027 P/UTL), Taylor Price (2027 2B/P), Samantha Hagaman (2027 SS/3B), Madison Chubbuck (2026 C/SS), Chloe Torticill (2026 SS/IF), Bella Determan (2027 MI/OF), Morgan Tilson (2026 1B), Kylee Thompsom (2026 OF), Sahara Meyers (2026 OF/C), Emmy Sheldon (2026 OF)

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Off the field, player expectations are focused around mentally preparing for game management, game knowledge, and understanding at a fast pace has been a focus this off season.

Primetime Chavez

Coaching Staff: Juan Chavez, Brooke Campbell & Lisa Timmins
Team Social Media: @Primetime07_ (X)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Primetime 07 was able to overcome several challenges last summer, making them a better team. One of our catchers had a torn labrum, and we had a pitcher that had an arm injury. Despite having significant injuries to a couple players we had a successful season. In the fall, we had 3 of our players lead Ashland HS to its first state softball title in school history in Class C. The 3 players were Reese Fisher, Ellie Milburn, and Sofia Dill. A group of sophomore that led the way and became the team leaders while motivating and supporting the rest of their team to a championship. We had another player, Jordyn Campbell, win a state championship in girls wrestling at 125 as a sophomore. Plus, we have several other players that contributed to their high school softball season this past fall as sophomores and juniors.

Key Players: Chloe Rauner, Reese Fisher, Jordyn Campbell, Ellie Milburn, Sloane Gregory, Tessa Carrell, Morgan Timmins, Teagan Noelle

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Expectations for the team are to be a better player and person after the season. To make more memories with each other and to always battle to the very end. This is a resilient group of girls who love to compete at everything they do.

Primetime Eadus

Coaching Staff: Mike Leapley
Team Social Media: @primetimenesb

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Winter Warmup Champions, Eggstravaganza Champions, 2nd Place USA Memorial Day Weekend KC, Pink Out Champions

Key Players: Hannah Miller, Hadley Hansen, Jaycee Woodard, Mace Cruse, Kennedy Drummond

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Play at a high level and compete

Primetime Weis

Coaching Staff: Kaitlyn Weis, Ron Weis, Chris Barton & Dan Gudenrath
Team Social Media: @primetimeweis (X)

Key Players: Audrey Kohl – Pitcher from Missouri Valley, Emerson Anderson – Catcher/3B/Utility from Missouri Valley, Amanda Weis – SS/Catcher/Utility from Gretna East HS, Rylan Anderson – OF from Gretna East HS, Kenadie Barton – OF from Gretna HS, Cindy Xiong – Pitcher/Utility from Millard South HS

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Compete with the best and grow individually and as a team

18U

Nebraska Echoes Madsen

Coaching Staff: Brad Madsen, Brandon Brink, Abigail Brink & Jeff Rasmussen

Team Social Media: @bradm198 (Twitter) & NE Echoes 18U National Madsen (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: 52-19-4 in summer, Runner-up at Memorial Day USA 16U, 6-0 in fall, CIS Winner

Key Players: Teya Speltz, Charlie Pryor, Teygan Rasmussen (new addition), Brianna Kutschkau (new addition)

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: As a 1st year 18U team, the plan is to keep competing at a high level. Be that team others don’t want to see on their schedule.

Nebraska National 18u Bahl

Coaching Staff: Head Coach Hayden Bahl & Assistant Coaches Emma Walbert & Jordy Bahl
Team Social Media: @NENational18u (X)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Champions of the 18u Quakes Classic, Runner-up in the 16u Nebraska Thunder Fundraiser tournament, 16u Perfect Game OKC Challenge, Team record of 33-16-5

Key Players: We are very excited about what each player on our team is capable of, as we have seen amazing growth from so many of them!

Addison Burdorf (P/2B), Macie Wyman (3B/1B), Maycie Grant (SS/2B), Alivia Courter (C/2B), Lauren Frihauf (CF/LF)

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: We are very excited about what we have seen from the team this offseason, and we love how this team has grown on the physical and mental sides of the game. The expectation for our team is that each time we step on the field, we play hard, smart, and together. While we will be one of the youngest teams in each tournament we play, we know that this team will be ready to show up and compete at a high level.

Nebraska Thunder Fox

Coaching Staff: William Fox (returning to the head coach position after 3 years as an assistant) & Brent Wonder (10 years of head coaching experience in both baseball and softball)

Team Social Media: NeThunder Fastpitch (Facebook), @nebraskathunder18u2024 (IG), @Nethunderf (Twitter) & 18U Thunder Gold (Fox) (SportsRecruits)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Our 4 graduating seniors committed and continued their athletic careers at the collegiate level (Barton College, Chadron State, Northwestern College and Highland CC), Fall resulted in 2 additional commitments (Concordia & Central CC)

Key Players: Ayla Mathney – committed to Calumet College of St. Joseph, a leader in the circle, Joslyn Sargent – junior at Ashland High School, new to our roster, she looks to make a statement at SS and in our lineup, Kaylee Tanuis – senior from Papillion-LaVista Class A State Champions, she is a vital and diverse player on our roster, Macey West – multi-sport athlete expanding her abilities and strengths as a UTL

Expectations for the 2024 Spring Season: With 3 returning players, we are looking for a season of growth and development. Develop a new team culture, drive athletes to become competitors, teammates, and family, achieve player goals on and off field, and continue the tradition of collegiate commitments

Nebraska Thunder Gold Johnson

Coaching Staff: Head Coach Bruce Johnson & Assistant Coaches Alana Crollard & Antonio Torrez
Team Social Media: @nethunder22 (X) & @nebraskathundergoldjohnson (IG)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Top Gun NE Memorial Day Classic Champions in Omaha, USSSA Big Opener Runner-ups in Minnesota, USSSA Angels for Autism for Runner-up (HS Division) in Omaha, USSSA Easter Egg Strikeout Champions (HS Division) in Omaha, USSSA Season Opener GG 3rd place overall finish in Overland Park, USSSA Stand UP to Cancer 3rd place overall in Kansas City

Key Players: Ada Jantzen, Kendall Johnson, Kinnley Wehrle, Peyton Johnson, Ava Crollard

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: We expect to compete for championships at all of our tournaments and start to make a name for ourselves nationally

Nebraska Venom 18u National

Coaching Staff: John Parsons, Samantha Hislop & Suzy Shanks
Team Social Media: @18uVenom (X) & Nebraska Venom National 18u (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: We were 74-20 last year and 10-1 through the fall

Key Players: Ava Kuntz (1B), Kylie Baumgard (C), Chloe Jewitt (P), Kynzee McFadden (SS), Lillian Harris (CF)

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Last season, we were able to show top 2 in 13 tournaments. We are looking to duplicate those results in ’24! We were also fortunate enough to get this season’s seniors all signed and committed to continue playing. We look to get the current juniors on the team offers to continue playing the game they love at the highest level, while furthering their education.

Nebraska WAVE Shepherd

Coaching Staff: Head Coach Luke Shepherd & Assistant Coaches Cory Claussen & Peyton Glatter
Team Social Media: @NEWaveFastpitch (X) & thewaveathletics.com

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: USSSA State Runner Up Class A 18u, Went 3-0-1 in KCKCC Tournament

Key Players: Hannah Allen (Midland University commit), Alexis Shepherd (Midland University commit), Alexis Adams (Doane College commit), Kloey Johnson (Southeast CC commit), Jill Johnson (1B/OF, Uncommitted), Brooklyn Stutzman (P/1B, Uncommitted), Jerzey Wiechman (P, Uncommitted)

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Will be traveling throughout the Mid-West playing in several Top Gun Showcases/Invites

Top Gun Indoor Invite Event Preview

By: Madison Feldhahn

The Top Gun Indoor Invite returns to St. Joseph, MO on March 9th and 10th to kick off the Top Gun Events spring season. This highly anticipated event brings together sixteen elite softball teams from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

The round-robin style tournament will take place at the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex. The 16u and 18u divisions have been combined into a high school division. All teams will play five games. Top Gun ’08 vs. Select Fastpitch Reese and NE Echoes Madsen vs. Primetime Koozer will start the tournament at 8:00 AM Saturday. Games will start every eighty minutes with the last games starting at 9:20 PM on Saturday. The tournament will restart at 8:00 AM Sunday and run until 6:40 PM.

Gate Fees:

Children (1-12): $5.00

Teens & Adults (13-64): $10.00

Senior (65+): $5.00

Military: $5.00

As coaches and players finalize their preparations, let’s take a closer look at some of the teams joining us.

Louisville Lady Sluggers VanBoxmeer

Coaching Staff: Ashley VanBoxmeer & Andy Paalhar

Team Social Media: @louisvilleladysluggers16u_VB (IG) & @Sluggers07VB (Twitter)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes:

-Ranked 14th in the country

-3rd place at Triple Crown Nationals

-17th place at Colorado Sparkler PP

-Alliance Nationals Top 25

-Top Club Invite Runner Up

-Team 1 Spring Invite Champion

Key Players: This isn’t our full team due to spring high school season, but we are excited to break up the practice routine and get some games in.

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Continue improving our softball IQ and skill development in preparation for a challenging summer schedule against the best in the country!

MN Waves Beech

Coaching Staff: Daniel Beech (Owner/Director/Trainer/15U National Head Coach)

Team Social Media: MN Waves 15U National (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes:

-Champions of the Lexi Kretsch Invitational

-Champions of the USSSA Great Lakes National Championship

Key Players:

-Harper Chappuis (CF)

-Auden Anderson (P)

-Sydney Klar (P)

-Kaitlyn Trask (3B)

-Evelyn DeRock (LF)

-Molly Walker (P/2B/RF)

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: We are maturing as a club and expect to compete with second-year 16s at a regional level. We have the most challenging schedule we’ve ever had – Top Gun Invitational (MO), S&C Showcase (MN), Top Gun Patriot (IL), Firecracker Showcase (IN), 15U Nationals (IA), and World Fastpitch Championships (SD). Our Waves program was invited to the 18U I.D.T. this summer in Colorado so we will go in 2025.

NE Echoes Madsen

Coaching Staff: Brad Madsen, Brandon Brink, Abigail Brink & Jeff Rasmussen

Team Social Media: @bradm198 (Twitter) & NE Echoes 18U National Madsen (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes:

-52-19-4 in summer

-Runner-up at Memorial Day USA 16U

-6-0 in fall

-CIS Winner

Key Players:

-Teya Speltz

-Charlie Pryor

-Teygan Rasmussen (new addition)

-Brianna Kutschkau (new addition)

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: As a 1st year 18U team, the plan is to keep competing at a high level. Be that team others don’t want to see on their schedule.

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)

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

Nebraska Gold Waller

Coaching Staff: Kelli Waller (Head Coach), Steve Hinrichs (Assistant Coach) & Chad Villwok (Assistant Coach)

Team Social Media: @NEGold08_Waller (Twitter) & nebraskagold08s_Waller (Instagram)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes:

-3rd place finish PG National Qualifier KC

-2nd place HS Division Spring Fling

-8th place Top Gun Spring Invite

-6th place USA SB Invite

-3rd place Top Gun Swing into Spring

-3rd place Top Gun Thunder/Gold Invite

Key Players: Lots of great athletes who will be key players this season. Covering multiple positions, we will be challenging our players to get comfortable playing uncomfortable roles.

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: A young 15U team looking to compete against some of the best teams in the HS divisions. All players coming off very successful fall HS seasons and are ready to get back on the dirt this spring. We will be playing a very challenging schedule of Top Gun Events, USA Invites, and Triple Crown. This team thrives off competition and being the best teammates, and we are looking forward to this translating to game time.

Nebraska National Taylor

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/cancelled tournaments)

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

Key Players:

-Maizey Carpenter

-Reese Pearson

-Toria Rother

-Lauren Schneider

-Alexa Taylor

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: We are an improved team over last year. Our goal as coaches is to continue to develop our players to help them reach their potential.

Nebraska Thunder Fox

Coaching Staff: William Fox (returning to the head coach position after 3 years as an assistant) & Brent Wonder (10 years of head coaching experience in both baseball and softball)

Team Social Media: NeThunder Fastpitch (Facebook), @nebraskathunder18u2024 (IG), @Nethunderf (Twitter) & 18U Thunder Gold (Fox) (SportsRecruits)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes:

-Our 4 graduating seniors committed and continued their athletic careers at the collegiate level (Barton College, Chadron State, Northwestern College and Highland CC)

-Fall resulted in 2 additional commitments (Concordia & Central CC)

Key Players:

-Ayla Mathney – committed to Calumet College of St. Joseph, a leader in the circle

-Joslyn Sargent – junior at Ashland High School, new to our roster, she looks to make a statement at SS and in our lineup

-Kaylee Tanuis – senior from Papillion-LaVista Class A State Champions, she is a vital and diverse player on our roster

-Macey West – multi-sport athlete expanding her abilities and strengths as a UTL

Expectations for the 2024 Spring Season: With 3 returning players, we are looking for a season of growth and development. Develop a new team culture, drive athletes to become competitors, teammates, and family, achieve player goals on and off field, and continue the tradition of collegiate commitments

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.

Select Fastpitch Reese

Coaching Staff: Krista Reese (Head Coach) & Jason Bailey (Asst. Coach)

Team Social Media: @StLouisSoftball (Twitter) & Select Fastpitch-16U STL (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes:

-Finished in top 16 of Power Pools in Scenic City Summer

-Finished 3rd at Savvy Softball Elite Summer Invite

-Finished in top 16 in Alliance Open Nationals

-Finished with a record of 5-2 at Tulsa Elite Summer Invite

Key Players:

-Sarah Rizello (P) led the team in wins with 10, SO with 85, and ERA 2.756.

-Abby Kritete and Elia Cabo anchor the outfield. Kriete led the team in Fielding Percentage at 0.988 and is second on the team in batting avg. with a 357 avg. in the fall and 556 avg. leading into this spring. Cabo is leading the team in avg. leading into the spring with an avg. 0f 750.

-Kaylee Brock (SS) locks down the left side of the infield. She batted 377 last season and her range and exceptional arm strength anchor the infield defense.

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: Select Fastpitch, formerly St. Louis Softball Club, looks to build on the success they had in 2023 with a qualifying bid to the Alliance Championships in Indianapolis. We expect to have all of our 2025 graduates signed by the end of the season, and we are excited for what the future holds for our 2026 grabs and expect several commitments in the fall.

Top Gun National 2027

Coaching Staff: Head Coach Stephanie Kim & Assistant Coaches Matt Griffin & Amanda Schuster

Team Social Media: @topgun_skim (Twitter), @coachstephkim (TikTok) & Top Gun 2027 NTL (Facebook)

2023 Summer & Fall Successes: Last season, as a 13U team, our proudest finish was placing 9th at the IDT. We were champs of Top Gun Discovery, runner up at the Alliance Super Cup this fall in Clear Water, and finished Top 3 in a 16u Perfect Game Showcase and Savvy Summer Shootout. Our team hit 50+ homeruns in spring/summer of 2023 and ranked #45 in US Club Rankings. Four of our players earned 3rd place in Missouri State Championships as freshman. Three of our freshmen earned All-State honors and five earned Academic All-State.

Key Players: We have multiple players already receiving Power 5 interest. Some of our top producers include:

-2027 Bryli Seifert (MIF/OF) – Earned starting SS as a freshman and went on to receive 1st Team All-State honors and Academic All-State. She hit .548 AVG, 1.592 OPS with 5 HR, 4 3B, and 9 2B. On our team last summer, she hit 19 2B, 2 3B and 10 HR. She is one of our top offensive producers and is Top 3 in most categories on our team.

-2027 Bailey Barnett (SS/3B/C) – She led our team this summer in nearly every offensive category: homeruns (16), batting average (.469), hits (83 in 75 games), doubles (19), RBI’s (74), and runs (66). She broke her high school’s home run record as a freshman, earned 2nd Team All-State and Academic All-State, and helped her team secure a 3rd place state finish.

-2027 Holly Munson (LHP/1B) – 5’9 strong pitcher with intense presence on the mount. Top 100 in 2027 Extra Innings. She lead her high school team to a 3rd place finish as a freshman, earned 1st Team All-State honors and Academic All-State, and had 96 K with a .968 ERA. She hit 4 HR. Last summer, she had 160 K and hit .500 with a 1.726 OPS.

-2028 Addison Ellis (LHP) – 5’9 long levers, very spinny, and misses a ton of barrels throwing in the low 60s. In our last tourney this fall (Clearwater Alliance Super Cup), she pitched 15 IP and 25 K with a .457 ERA and only gave up 3 hits.

-2027 Zariya Mabion (OF/UTL) – Z is one of the most athletic players in the 2027 class. She is ranked Top 25 in the 2027 Extra Innings. She tore her ACL in June 2023 and had already hit 16 HR, 6 triples, 11 doubles, drove in 44 runs, scored 65 runs, and stole 29 bases. Finished her season early from injury with a .469 AVG and a 1.569 OPS.

Expectations for 2024 Spring Season: It’s about exposure and opportunities for these young women. Our expectation is to play and COMPETE against the best competition in the country, As a second year 14u team, we will be playing up in 16u until June. Once June hits…it’s on. Our summer recruiting schedule includes: Hotshots Summer Exposure in TX, Top Gun Invitational-Maverick in KC, and then we head to Colorado for the Patriot Games, Super Cup, and IDT. We come back to KC to play in the Top Gun Elite Championships to prepare for PGF Nationals to finish out our season.

KC Royals Youth All Sport Expo offers Valuable Educational Resources for Community

KC Royals Youth All Sport Expo offers Valuable Educational Resources for Community

By Jeff Strange

The global youth sports market has turned into a highly profitable segment. Recently released analysis by Markets N Research, a research company that helps educate their members and consumers through tactical and strategic research methods, has observed that that the global youth sports market stood at $37.5 billion in 2022, with forecasted growth expected to reach approximately $69.4 billion in 2030.

While proving to be a very prosperous business overall, participating in sports as a child can help promote positive physical health, social skills, learning teamwork and aid in emotional well-being/mental health, amongst other benefits.

However, in a day and age where tools such as social media and specialized training is largely at an athlete’s disposal, there can be cons to focusing on developing dominating, sport-specific skills. Burnout, overuse and mental health are some primary examples of potential risks involved with becoming hyper-focused on athletics.

The Kansas City Royals recently hosted a Youth All Sport Expo at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Launched by the Royals Amateur Development System (RADS), the event was geared for coaches of all sports to learn about mental and physical health of athletes.

Casey Borovac, Manager of Sport Development for the Royals recognized a need to help promote the mental well-being of young athletes and opened up the door to many resources for coaches of all levels to learn positive and effective methods to carry over into their culture.

“Being an athlete today undoubtedly has many opportunities,” said Borovac. “But with those opportunities can be stresses and pressures that get amplified with things such as social media. There’s an expectation sometimes put out by coaches, parents or the athletes themselves to compare each other through avenues such as social media. While there are certainly some benefits available, there can also be an immense amount of pressure to perform that weighs heavily on athletes today.”

Dr. Joni Pro – APRN, FNP-C speaks to a crowd of coaches at the recent Youth All Sport Expo on December 2, 2023

With that in mind, the Royals Amateur Development System constructed this opportunity as a way to educate coaches on methods to help with mental health, along with managing and preventing burnout, the effects of social media, injury prevention and teaching life lessons.

The RADS program was created in 2021 with an emphasis to improve and enhance participation in local Kansas City youth baseball and softball leagues. This year’s expo was the first one offered by the RADS program, with Borovac envisioning it to be an annual event.

Featuring multiple speakers and presenters offering their input, topics discussed at the expo included:

  • Kinetic Chain Dysfunction of the Shoulder and Elbow by Dr. Vincent Key-MD (Medical Director and Head Team Physician for the Kansas City Royals)
  • Performance-Based Healthcare for Athletes by Dr. Joni Pro – APRN, FNP-C
  • Pressures that Youth Athletes Face and Signs of Mental Health Challenges by Dr. Becky Gernon – M.D., M.P.H.
  • Managing and Preventing High Level Stress and Burnout by Chris Cannon – LPC/MHSP, CCMHC, ACS
  • Effects of Social Media by Emily Hawkins – LPC/MHSP
  • Strategies to Build Confidence in Young Athletes by Melissa Lambert – Director of Behavioral Science, KC Royals
  • Recognizing the At-Risk Signs by Chris Cannon – LPC/MHSP, CCMHC, ACS
  • Perfectionism within the Athlete by Emily Hawkins – LPC/MHSP
  • Double Goal Coach/Coaching for Winning and Life Lessons by Coach Brian Swan
  • Project Play/Don’t Retire a Kid by Dylan Wilson
  • Not Good Enough by Jeff Diskin
    Melissa Lambert – KC Royals Director of Behavioral Science discusses topics with coaches at the recent Youth All Sport Expo on December 2, 2023

While recognizing the expo as a positive opportunity for the coaching community overall, Borovac envisions this event to be a constructive and informative resource for coaches, parents and athletes to utilize in an evolving atmosphere.

“We had about 150 coaches total that came out,” said Borovac. “Coaches of all age levels, ranging from the local scene to out-of-state were in attendance this year. The hope is to hold this event at least once a year as a positive resource to the community.”

Top Players Showcase Their Skills at Power 50 Prospects Event

Top Players Showcase Their Skills at Power 50 Prospects Event

By Rob Else

Several top players from the 2025 and 2026 classes showed off their skills for college coaches at the Top Gun Events Power 50 Prospect camp.  The inaugural event, held November 18th at the Griffon Indoor facility in St. Joseph, MO, wasn’t a traditional camp that players are familiar with.  “It wasn’t a traditional camp like people are used to.  It was not an instructional camp at all it was purely a showcase camp,” said Paige Crawford, Director of Athletic Experience for Top Gun Events.

The all-day event started early with opening ceremonies and players being split up into teams, depending on their graduating class.  Following the opening ceremonies, the showcase kicked off with metric testing.  Athletes were run through several tests that college coaches use to evaluate recruits.  The tests included a 40-yard dash, the pro agility shuttle, throwing velocity, exit velocity, and pitching measurables.  All the results were posted in real-time to the Top Gun Events website allowing college coaches to pull up player performances while at the event.  

There were lots of great players, but here are a few that stood out during the metric testing:

  • Keegan Baker (2026) – Oklahoma Athletics – Fastest pitching velocity at 66 mph
  • Addison Ray (2026) – Select Fastpitch – Top exit velocity of 78 mph.
  • Payton Steuart (2026) – Epic Fastpitch – Best catcher pop time, between 1.66 – 1.90
  • Lydia Turner (2026) – Select Fastpitch – Fastest 40-yard dash time at 5.33.

You can view the full leaderboard on the Top Gun event website here: Top Gun Metrics

In addition to metric evaluations, athletes attended classroom training.  Sessions included the BMS Project talking about mental health, Tony Wylie from The Collective Engine provided information about Name Image Likeness (NIL), and Alana Vawter, a current player for South Carolina.  “I loved getting to listen in on the sessions to make me become the best player I can be, all while staying healthy,” said Cali Bentz (2026) from Nebraska Gold.

After a break for lunch, the day continued with live skills workouts and scrimmages in front of the college coaches.  “The day was long but fun! I learned a ton of new things about the NIL deals and the recruiting process,” said Avery Nelson (2026) from the SE IA Allstars. 

The event was limited to the Top 50 players in the Midwest region.  Each player was selected through an extensive process that included being nominated by their club organization.  The nominated players were then reviewed by a selection committee to determine if they met the participation criteria.  If a player was selected by the committee, then an offer to attend was sent.  “My initial reaction was very excited. I didn’t know if I would get in and getting to be one of the 50 athletes selected to go was a very exciting opportunity,” said Bentz.

Overall, the event was a success for everyone that attended.  The hope is to continue this event and make it an annual tradition.  Top Gun Events is already planning a similar event; the Top 100 Junior Prospect event will be held in January.  The event will include over 20 NAIA, JUCO, and Division 2 college coaches on hand to evaluate 2025 athletes.  It will use the same selection process for inviting players.

Savvy Softball’s Annual Easton Rawlings Elite Fall Championship Proves to be Big Draw for Athletes and Coaches

Savvy Softball’s Annual Easton Rawlings Elite Fall Championship Proves to be Big Draw for Athletes and Coaches

By Jeff Strange

The weather was terrific and the competition was top-notch on the weekend of 10/20-10/22 for the annual Easton Rawlings Elite Fall Showcase hosted by Savvy Softball. A big draw for elite level softball athletes and college coaches looking to evaluate prospective players for their programs, the Easton/Rawlings Elite Fall Showcase has become a staple event for overall exposure. We caught up with Savvy Director Dan Paulson to get his take on the busy weekend of softball, what drives him in this game and the future prospects of his events.

How long has this event been taking place?

Savvy Softball has been running this event since 2020. At the time, it was known as The Demarini. In 2021, we collaborated with Easton Rawlings and began running the event in O’Fallon and Edwardsville, IL. This was the 13th year overall that it has been ran.

How many teams were initially in the event when it became known as the Easton/Rawlings Elite Fall Showcase vs. the turnout for this fall?

We had roughly 80 teams total when we began running it in 2021. This year, we had 140 teams spread out over six complexes in the St. Louis metropolitan area – three parks in Illinois and three parks in Missouri with age groups ranging from 12u-18u.

What format do you use for your showcase games:

At 16u and 18u, its 1 hour and 40 minutes, finish the inning and 2-hour time slots. We feel that is unique – the average number of innings played this fall for those age groups was 6.3 innings. The longer game times allows college coaches to see a student-athlete hit two, three or four times in a game…pitchers get to throw five or six innings as opposed to just two or three innings in a shorter game format. We schedule the games two hours apart; this allows us to stay on schedule and makes it easier for college coaches to plan accordingly. Ultimately, it is all about getting the athletes the best opportunity to showcase what they can do and helping the college coaches know where and when they need to be to look at an athlete that they may be interested in.

Do you know approximately, how many college coaches checked in this fall?

The number of coaches in attendance was over 200; we are still figuring exact numbers, but my estimation is somewhere around 250 this year. I noticed one game last Saturday that had 39 college coaches standing behind the backstop watching. It was a very good turnout – we try to make it as appealing for them as we can by providing them with a printed booklet to go along with the digital booklet for all of the information. We provide food and beverages as well so they generally remain at the parks all day to take it all in.

Was there any difference in how the 16u/18u divisions were ran vs the 12u/14u divisions?

16u and 18u play five showcase games between Saturday and Sunday with their schedules lined out. We had teams from 20 different states and with scheduling their flights and travel; it makes it easier for them to know when they’ll be done on Sunday. For the 12u and 14u, we made it competitive with a cash prize on the line. Each team started in a box-bracket with four teams per bracket. This way they knew exactly when they were going to play their three games on Saturday. Sunday was brackets with cash prizes awarded to the top two teams in each 12u and 14u divisions.

What are your plans for the future?

For our fall event, we’ll most likely continue with a very similar format. We run a summer event that in 2024 will be our third year conducting – the Savvy Softball Elite Summer Shootout. We continue to look for other areas that might have a need for a strong tournament, but really just need to find the right venues and the right dates. We want to make sure that we use top class fields and to make sure that we have the strongest teams that we can attract to any of our events. At the end of the day, in order to maintain the number of teams that want to play in the event and to give everyone – the teams and college coaches – a good schedule that they are happy with, it ultimately takes fields that are of good quality, but are not too spread out for any coaches that may want to travel from park-to-park to see athletes and teams that they want to see.

R.O.I Midwest Claims Top Gun Events Futures Invite Championship

R.O.I Midwest Claims Top Gun Events Futures Invite Championship

By: Rob Else

The inaugural Top Gun Events Futures Invite was held at Central Bank Sporting Complex over the weekend.  R.O.I Midwest claimed the 14u championship with their 7-2 win over the Aces Fastpitch NWA.  R.O.I, formally the Midwest Firecrackers, won the USSSA Nationals and finished top 3 in all the tournaments they played last spring.

ROI started the Futures Invite with a pair of wins on Friday night.  They beat the Prodigy Decker 9-0 and the Aces Fastpitch NWA 5-3.  Saturday, mother nature tried to ruin the day, but the turf fields at Central Bank Sporting Complex and Mid-America Sports Complex kept the games on track.  ROI was able to beat the KC Rebels 9-2 before rallying with 6 runs in the last inning, to beat Nebraska Gold 8-4.

Three more quality wins on Sunday sealed the championship victory for ROI.  They beat Ankeny Extreme Black 5-2 before getting back-to-back wins over Aces Fastpitch NWA.

In the circle, ROI was led Maisey McCarty and Raegan Brandt.  McCarty threw 12 innings allowing 6 earned runs with 19 strikeouts.  Brandt allowed 5 earned runs and had 13 strikeouts in her 12 innings of work.

Gabriyella Kessler led ROI at the plate.  She hit .556 for the tournament with seven RBI and five runs scored.  Kessler’s stats included two doubles, a triple, and a home run.

Overall, the Futures Invite was a great tournament with lots of high-quality teams from the Midwest region.  It was a great way for many teams to kick-off their fall season.

Top Gun Futures Event Preview

Top Gun Futures Event Preview

TGE Staff

Team name: Nebraska Quakes Gold Borgeson

Coach: Rich Borgeson 

Facebook: Nebraska Quakes Gold Borgeson

 

Spring & Summer Successes:

  • Ring Neck champions
  • USSSA State 3rd place
  • Silver bracket national champs 

 

Key players:

  • Teagan Stroud
  • Raelee Tackitt
  • McKinley Grojean
  • Josilyn Pieper 

 

Expectations for Fall: We are looking for lots of progression and mental toughness going into a new age bracket, we will be playing high level tourneys and win or lose we will keep getting better. 

 

Team Name: Nebraska THUNDER 2012

Coach Name: Chad Scebold (asst by Clay Tibke, Jacq Worth)

Twitter Handle: @NEThunder2012

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes:

  • Nebraska Class A State Runner-Up
  • CIS Des Moines Stars & Strikes Champs
  • USSSA MidWest 3X Tournament championships

 

Key Players: Elite pitching staff lead by Jaycey Hargens, Emma Rehmann and September George.  Kennedy Grose & Skylar Fitch behind the dish, making these 5 players a dangerous battery combination.

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season:  Our team is truly focused on players having fun and getter better every day.  

Our players are “all-in” … meaning they and understands that success occurs when our preparation meets opportunities.  That said, our coaching staff expects players to show up, work hard, compete and have FUN every time they step onto the field!

 

Team Name: Nebraska Gold 11u

Coach Name: Kyle Naughton

Twitter Handle: @negold2012s

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: 65-18, won 7/13 tournaments including Quakes Classic, Class A state, IA/IL state, and 6 in the spring (KC); runner-up in PG Elite 20 invite & USSSA Nationals

 

Key Players: ALL 11 players 

 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season: play free, play fearless, and have lots of fun!

 

Team Name: Nebraska Quakes Fessler

Coach Name: Nick Fessler

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes:

  • 5th place out of 31 national teams in 12 Open at Road to the Show in OKC.
  • Hastings Hitfest Champions
  • 3rd place Quakes Classic. 

 

Key Players:

  • Kenzi Stoll
  • Cora Fessler
  • Kenna VonFeldt
  • Tessa Berner
  • Gianna Dannelly
  • Adrianna Moore
  • Tesni Lashley

 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season:

Our expectations are to seek out the best competition we can find to develop these girls leading up to next summer in preparation for high school softball next year. 

 

Team Name:  Nebraska Wave Kroll 11U

Coach Name: Jeremiah Kroll

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: 

  • 5thplace USSSA Midwest National Championship

 

Key Players:

  • Zaniya Castor
  • Tatum Buckley
  • Millie Krueger
  • Piper Brown

Team Name: Top Gun 2K12 Premier

Coach Name: Jimmy Gallaway

Twitter Handle: 2K12TopGun

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: Newly formed this fall with girls from MO, KS and OK

 

Key Players: Every player is going to be equally important for us

 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season: Play an extremely tough fall schedule to get these players familiar with each other ready for the spring season.

 

Team Name: Originals-Campbell

Coach Name: Tory Campbell

Twitter Handle: @OriginalsCB

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: New team

 

Key Players: All players are key as we start to gel as a team

 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season: Development & gelling

 

Team Name: R.O.I. Midwest

Head Coach: Brad Kessler

Twitter Handle: @ROIFASTPITCH

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes:

Formerly Midwest Firecrackers, finished top 3 of all tournaments played and won USSSA Nationals and finished 3rd at Alliance Nationals Tier 1.

 

Key Players:

  • CC Mateo-00-Catcher
  • Gabriyella Kessler-#77-Shortstop/Pitcher
  • Raegan Brandt-#7-Pitcher/3rd base
  • Maisey McCarty-#55-Pitcher/1st Base

 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season:

To continue to grow as players and a team and to continue to compete with the best in the country. 

 

Team Name: Aces NWA 14U

Coach Name:  Joel Garcia & Brittany Hoskins



Facebook: AcesFastpitchNWA14U

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: 

Finished 5th place in TX Southern Nationals out of 34 Teams

 

Key Players: 

  • Brooke Dixon
  • Aubrey Eiland
  • Harper Jernigan
  • Mallory Harvey
  • Emillie Curry
  • Taryn Stoner

 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season:

Continue to improve. Get ready for tough Spring/Summer 2024

Already won Six in September Tournament in Kansas City and the Back to School Bash in Rogers, AR

 

Team Name: Ottawa Raptors 12 Beers 

Coach Name: Jason Beers 

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: Quality At Bats 

 

Key Players: All of THEM! 

 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season: Growth in all aspects of the game. Raise IQ, take extra bases and hit with runners in scoring position. 

 

Team Name: Nebraska Gold 13U Zach       

Coach Name: Matt Zach

Twitter Handle: NeGoldZach13

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: 47-29-1 as a Fury Gold team. We were promoted to a Nebraska Gold team.

Key Players:

  • Brooklynn Rhode
  • Justice Love
  • Peyton Boone
  • Lily Thompson
  • Lillee Zach
  • Teagan Nielsen
  • Addy Smart
  • Jolie Eber
  • Maddie Craig
  • Kristyn Hayduk

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season: As a new team, we need to build a solid foundation with trust, communication, and just to get to know each other

 

College Prospect Series set for Unique Showcase Event

College Prospect Series set for Unique Showcase Event

Mid America West Sports Complex located in Shawnee, KS will be the host of the first ever KC College Prospect Series powered by Top Gun Events this upcoming weekend. A unique feature of this event will allow athletes to be coached by college coaches during games. Teams will change fields each game to allow the athletes the experience of being managed by different college coaches.

 

Additional features of the College Prospect Series will include:

 

  • Camp Friday night
  • During pool play, college coaches will be in the dugout and on the field serving as head/assistant coach of the team assigned to their dugout for each game.
  • Travel ball coaches will write their respective team’s lineup before pool play starts. Travel ball coaches will not be in the dugout during the game in pool play.
  • Sunday will start bracket play. During bracket, Travel Ball coaches will then coach their teams and college coaches will be free to float as they recruit.

 

With 18 teams in attendance between a 16u Division and 18u Division, Top Gun Events Media has outlined details of some of the clubs attending this weekend’s showcase. Here’s a look at some of the key elements for squads participating, as indicated by their head coaches:

 

16u

 

Team Name: AFA Vasquez ‘08/‘09

 

Coach Name: Anna Vasquez

 

Twitter Handle: @AFA_Vasquez

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: Developing together as a team, so we can age to 16u this fall and be ready. 

 

Key Players: All of our players play a key role on our team. Bella Diggs and Danielle Steenkamp are both 2026!

 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season: We want to expose ourselves to 16u softball this fall. We want to be prepared for high caliber softball for the summer. 

 

 

Team name: Purple Crush Platinum 16u

 

Coach name: Amber Slaughter

 

Twitter handle: @PCrush_Platinum

 

Spring/Summer 2023 successes: 

We got our feet wet playing at the National level as a 14u team. We are a small town club from Pittsburg, Kansas competing with some bigger name/city squads. We beat and definitely competed with some top teams at bigger tournaments, such as both Tulsa Elite events, Team One, and World Fastpitch Championships. Looking forward to competing at the 16u level as well!

 

Key players:  

1) Bryleigh Webb, who is a 2026 grad already has an offer from Central Methodist University. She had 6 home runs last spring and summer…3 just at Team One. Ended her 14u season with 44 RBIs.  She plays 3rd base and has recently started catching. Bryleigh is a powerhouse! Strong arm and good mechanics!  

 

2) Breck Slaughter is another 2026 grad that is a big component to our team. She is a fierce competitor who is a RHP, topping 59mph, just turning 15 in July, but she is climbing fast. She is also an aggressive SS or catcher, or wherever she is needed. She has speed and strength. Breck is also a consistent hitter, finishing her 14u season with a .442 BA and 36 RBIs and 58 runs.  

 

3) Gracen McLaren is another big time player, who has become a powerhouse hitter. She is a 2027 grad that has a great glove at middle infield. We call her “Hoover” because not much gets past her! Gracen finished her season with a .362 BA and 20 RBIs. Gracen just started high school and is getting stronger every day!

 

4) Kyleigh Pinion is another standout 2026 player!  She usually leads us off in the lineup and is very consistent. Kyleigh ended her season with .464 BA and 24 RBIs and 47 runs. She is a mean center fielder, and will dive for anything she thinks she can get! She is also a great RHP! 

 

5) Peyton Morey, is our main catcher, and also a 2026 grad. She has a very strong arm and has had several put outs a bases. She also plays tough at MI and 3B as well!  

 

6) Kallie Griffin is a 2027 grad, and our main LHP, topping 56mph, but definitely gaining. This girl works hard. She is always smiling no matter the situation and has the biggest heart. She’s got power in her swing as well!

 

*We have some new players that are definitely stepping up to the plate to become great players, so I definitely do not want to leave them out!*

Gracin Riggs 2025

Emma Cook 2027

Maddie Cook 2025

Gabbie White 2025 (filling in)

Emmy Stark 2027 (playing high school right now)

 

Expectations for fall 2023:

We really just want to see the girls compete with these top level 16u teams as their first year at 16 & under. Being from a small town and being a small club, we don’t have all the choices of players, but rather we work with what we have. We want to see them have fun and enjoy the game (win or lose), gain experience, play hard, and get some exposure for their futures. The girls are getting stronger all the time, so it will be fun to see their growth along the way.

 

 

Team name: Select Fastpitch Adams 

 

Coach name: Brandon Adams

 

Twitter Handle: @SelectFP09

 

Spring/Summer 2023 successes: 

Top 12 World Fastpitch Championships 

2nd place 13u USSSA nationals 

Usssa 16A 2nd place 

Usssa KOKO 1st place 

USSSA 3rd place 

Usssa 3rd place 

Competed well in Top Club and Top Gun invite Maverick. 

 

Key players:

Trinity Deters C/3B 2027 

Kenley Sutton P/1B 2028

McKenna O’Leary C 2028 

Olivia Adams P/utility 2028

Landri Adams P/1B 2027

Audrey Beeler OF/P 2028 

Harper Allin P/1B 2027 

 

Expectations for fall 2023:

We are a second year team but still a young one. 3 2010s and 8 2028s on the roster. They are a very talented group though with lots of potential. To start our Fall 2023, we took 2nd out of 32 first weekend out in a USSSA event. We are playing up at 16A in this Top Gun event. We will also play PG fall showcase, Easton Rawlings invite, Top Gun Select Invite, and Fall Top Club Invite. Hope to compete and finish with the top teams each weekend. 

 

 

Team Name: Athletics Mercado Bonola 16u 

 

Coach Name: Rebecca Bonola 

 

Twitter Handle: @AMBonola16u

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: Played in power pools for Top Gun, IDT and Hotshot National. 

 

Key Players: Adelaida Sierra (2026-RHP) and Jaylene Rodriguez (2025 RHP) will be a big one-two punch for us. We have some great lefty hitters with speed & who can run the bases well with Chipper Mayorga (2025- Utility), Gabby Alves (2026 – OF) and Kyana Liparado (2025- Utility). Defense will be held down by our SS/3B Novalee Gloria (2025) who has a great field presence & Mia Perez (2026) as our center fielder with amazing range and an arm! 

 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season: We will be playing and competing mostly local this fall. We expect to be competitive and get recruited along the way with the majority or all 10 of our 2025s being committed going into summer season. 

 

 

Team Name:  Midwest Power Legacy

Coach Name: Brian Smith

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: 2nd place finish, 16open NSC Recruiting Tournament; 3A All-State Team Honorable Mention – Gretchen Huizenga 

Key Players: Returners – Gretchen Huizenga, Peyton Ganger, Kennedy Meredith, Madison Davison, and Kinsley Smith. 

Newcomers – Aubrey Warren, Sophia Halton, Sydnee Sleichter, Kayleigh Neill, and Addison DeChant 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season: We have several new players this fall, so we are looking to learn each other and how to play together. There is some talent here that we are hoping to build on. We are excited for the girls to see some bigger competition and hopefully get some looks! 

 

Team Name: Midwest Firecrackers 16U-Wildey 

 

Coach Name: Aldyn Wildey 

 

Twitter Handle: MWFC_Wildey 

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: Finishing Top 32 in the 16U Colorado Fireworks Supplemental Power Pool our first year competing in the power pools. 

 

Key Players: 

2025 CIF Maddie Bruson 

2025 RHP/OF Kaelyn O’Rourke 

2025 C/UTL Addie Callaway 

2025 C Katie Gillihan 

 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season: I’m very fortunate as a coach to get to work with so many talented players from around the KC Metro area. This team is a mix of newer players and some that have been with me for 5 years. My expectations for the fall season are to see this team buy-into the “why”, so why we do the things we do to develop them for the next level and just simply enjoy the game of softball. This group is super talented, so I’m very blessed with that, but now I need them to understand how to use their specific talents to market themselves for the next level. 

 

 

 

Team Name: Select Fastptich 15/16U Heinemann

 

Coach Name: John Heinemann

 

Twitter Handle: @SelectHeinemann

 

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: Had a lot of success playing in a shortened Summer Season with so many Kansas girls, but saw lots of good competition at several national tournaments.

 

Key Players: Reagan Chapman, Pilar Cox, Emma Heinemann

 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season: This fall, we are looking to have a great showinig with several new key additions to the team along with continuing to get better and competing at a high level. Our goal is to get every athlete ready to compete at the next level.

 

 

 

18u

Team Name: Athletes United 18U

Coach Name: Steve Jaso

Twitter Handle: @AUFastpitch18U

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: We started our season in February 2023, winning the USSSA High School Warm Up in Wichita. After the high school season, we went 25-14-2, winning the Top Gun Nebraska Thunder Gold tourney in Omaha, NE.

Key Players: I feel that each and every one of our girls are key players. They have all contributed to the success of this team. 

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season: To continue to develop our skill and knowledge of the game and to prepare the girls for success at the next level. 

Team Name: KC Rebels Gold Jenkins

Coach Name: Mark Jenkins

Twitter Handle: @KCRebelsJenkins  /  KC Rebels Gold Jenkins

2023 Spring/Summer Successes: We had a great summer and placed eight girls on college rosters. That was quite a few girls to send to college and we have added eight new girls to the roster. Of the eight, we added four seniors, giving us a total of six seniors overall.

Key Players: Everyone of the girls will play a key role for our team. We will be leaning on our seniors, they are Hanah Forlow OF/C, Rylee Griffin P, Makayla Ekis P/OF, Reagan Wiehe C/3, Abbi Minton P/U and Maggie Richardson P/SS.

Expectations for 2023 Fall Season: I feel we will be a contact hitting team and have above average speed. Will put the ball in play and move the girls around. We have had a great start to our fall season and looking to keep improving week after week.