Softball  | Softball Tournament | 12/8/2022

PG Softball: PG Cares, Toys For Tots Notes

Photo: Perfect Game
14U Division

The MV-Pitcher award went to Aubrey Hesler (2026, Burlington, Iowa), who helped pitch her Cik 08s team to the championship. Hesler, a RHP, topped out at 54 mph while utilizing a drop, drop curve, changeup and rise to keep hitters off balance. A pitch-to-contact type pitcher, Hesler relied on her defense to make plays in her 11 innings of work, although she did strike out six. Hesler showed good command of the strike zone in only giving up one base-on-balls. As this young lady matures and continues to gain strength, she will pick up velocity and increased spin rate to be even more effective in the circle.

The MVP award was presented to Hayden Kresser (2026, Jesup, Iowa) of Cik 08s. Kresser, with a strong, athletic set up in the box, feet set slightly wide, with no stride to get separation, drives the hips and lower half to get things moving. Displaying a solid and aggressive bat path, Kresser displays the strength to drive the ball out of the yard. Of her five hits, she collected a double and two home runs for a total of nine RBI. With a good understanding of the swing and what she is attempting to do at the plate, Kresser should continue to be successful as she rises up through age levels and from high school to college.



Other hitters having success at the plate included Cik 09s' Caycee Crawford (2027, New Hampton, Iowa), who showed the ability to hit for power and average. Utilizing a more erect stance in the box and a toe touch to get to launch, the RHH Crawford was able to stay connected through her swing and utilize her legs and hips to their fullest. Crawford finished the weekend with seven hits that included a double, triple and home run for 6 RBI, scoring five times and had a tournament-leading average of .875.

Brooklyn Peterson (2028, Port Byron, Ill.) is a RHH/C/3B playing for Monsters 14u - Chick. Peterson, starting tall in the box with a slightly open stance, showed the ability to hit the ball to all fields. She collected 3 doubles and a single for 4 RBI while scoring 4 runs. Peterson appears at her best when she stays in her legs and doesn't allow her hands to travel as she starts shifting her weight forward, losing separation.

There is a saying, “hitters hit” and Audrey Gooding (2026, Champaign, Ill.) is a hitter. Gooding, a LHH batting lead off for Tbsa Wahoos 08, had a tournament-leading eight hits that included a double, while reaching base on 10-of-13 chances. Gooding does a great job of keeping her front side closed and driving the outside pitch through the 5-6 hole with what at times seems like just a flick of her wrist. She displays a good understanding of the strike zone and appears to have a plan for what she is trying to accomplish with each at-bat.

Sullivan Hall (2027, West Liberty, Iowa) may appear small in stature, but she swings a big bat. Playing for Mudd Dawgs 09 - Holmes, the LHH Hall utilizes a fundamentally sound swing and good use of her lower half to generate bat speed and torque. This aided her in picking up two doubles and a home run in her five hits. Hall knocked in three and scored three runs to help her team to a runner-up finish.

In the circle, Zoe Goodreau (2026, Champaign, Ill.) was getting work done. Topping out at 60 mph, the Tbsa Wahoos 08 RHP utilized her full arsenal of pitches to record 16 punchouts in her nine innings of work. Showing the same determination and skill set that led to her earning both the 14u and 16u MV-Pitcher Awards two weekends ago, Goodreau challenged hitters early in the count. Once the count was in her favor, she would then work her drop and rise to collect strikeouts. This young lady has shown she has the juice to be a regular on the top performer list moving forward.

Alexis Trueg (2026, Cedar Falls, Iowa), who won an MVP award two weeks ago for her hitting, showed that she can also pitch by picking up the win in the championship game for Cik 08s. Trueg, a RHP, utilized a fastball topping out at 55 mph, a changeup, and a rise to record 11 strikeouts in her nine innings of work. Showed the ability to hit spots and to get batters to chase her rise out of the zone for swing-and-miss attempts. Trueg gave up one free pass and did not allow an earned run on the weekend.

Colbie Greiner (2027, Washington, Iowa) was the workhorse for her Mudd Dawgs 09 - Holmes team, recording 13 innings in the circle. Utilized a drop curve, drop, and changeup to go with a fastball that topped out at 57 mph, Greiner recorded nine punchouts, and relied on her teammates to make plays behind her. While watching Greiner pitch, she displays those intangables that make a difference. She stayed mentally focused, didn't allow an error or a perceived bad call from the umpire to affect her, she showed she wanted the ball, and she challenged hitters on the inner half of the plate. As this young lady matures and continues to develop her skill set, I expect to see big things from this one.

18U Division

The MV-Pitcher award went to RHP Meredith Gatto (2024, Dubuque, Iowa), playing for runner-up Texas Glory IAQC. Gatto, using every bit of her 5-foot frame to generate velocity and torque, comes at hitters with a curve, drop, high rise, and a fastball that sat consistently at 56 mph. In her 14 innings of work, Gatto recorded 19 strikeouts, primarily utilizing a plus rise ball that hitters had a tough time laying off of, and even a tougher time making contact with it. Gatto recently committed to Clarke University, and don’t bet against this young lady being successful at the next level if this past weekend is any indication of her skill set and competitiveness.

Lady Expos Houselog’s Lydia Ettema (2023, Peosta, Iowa) is your MVP award winner. The DePaul University commit, usually picking up the MV-Pitcher award, put on an offensive display for the ages. Ettema, starting with a solid set up in the box, and looking comfortable and confident at the plate, collected a tournament-leading 10 hits. Of those hits, she had three doubles and five bombs. She racked up 12 RBI, scored 10 times and finished with a .714 average. In the circle, Ettema recorded 14 innings of work, striking out 11 while walking none. Ettema utilized a drop, changeup, and rise to go with her fastball that was consistently 60-61 mph and topped out at 63 mph.

Jadyn Glab (2023, Dubuque, Iowa), playing for Lady Expos Houselog, has had some memorable times at The Turf, and this weekend was no different. The University of Washington commit, who was also slotted in at the No. 9 spot on the Perfect Game Softball Class of 2023 Top 50 List, picked up 7 hits with a double and a home run and had a .722 OBP. On the basepaths she swiped 9 bases and scored 9 runs. Glab, while working behind the plate, showed excellent receiving skills, helping pitchers get the borderline strike call with her glove work, and showed a plus arm with quick release. Glab was successful in throwing out runners attempting to steal and also threw behind runners at first and third to record outs.

Michaela Goad (2024, Springville, Iowa), playing for Thunder 18u Black, continues to impress at the plate. Hitting from the right side, Goad uses the levers associated with her 6-foot-1 frame, to generate bat speed and torque. She collected seven hits that included a double and three bombs. She picked up 7 RBI, scored 5 runs and finished the weekend with a .700 average. Goad has a swing that will play at the next level as she shows the ability to hit the ball to all fields, and hit the ball hard.

Texas Glory IAQC's Chevelle Kingsley (2025, Davenport, Iowa) can flat out hit. Hitting from the right side, standing tall with hands and back elbow up, Kingsley gets her weight to the back hip and gets separation via stride. Staying in her legs and utilizing a solid lower half, Kingsley was able to barrel up several balls this weekend. She picked up eight hits with a double and two home runs, knocking in seven and scoring 5 times and finishing with a .667 average.

Pitchers getting after it included RHP Chloe Mitchell (2023, Peru, Ill.), in the circle for Midwest Sluggers 05. Showing a repeatable motion and delivery, Mitchell worked 13 innings and collected a tournament-leading 25 strikeouts for her effort. Topping out at 55 mph, Mitchell relied on her rise, curve, drop, and changeup to keep batters off balance. Mitchell showed plus spin and movement, with the ability to throw all her pitches for strikes, only giving up one walk on the weekend. Currently uncommitted, this young lady has the game to play at the next level.

Tierani Teslow (2023, Dubuque, Iowa) was a key in the circle for the tournament-winning Lady Expos Houselog. The LHP Teslow, utilizing a low and high rise, changeup, drop, and fastball sat consistently at 56 mph in her eight innings of work. Showing some natural movement on her pitches and effectively changing levels with her rise and drop, Teslow was able to strike out 13 and stay away from any big innings.

Julia Roth's (2026, Dubuque, Iowa) age shouldn't fool you. This young lady, pitching for Expos Simon, is another fine pitcher coming out of Northeast Iowa. With a full complement of pitches, and a top velocity of 60 mph, Roth has the ability and mindset to play at this level. In her seven innings of work, Roth struck out 11, only allowing 2 earned runs.

Thunder 18u Black’s Isabella Salazar (2025, Washington, Iowa) isn’t very imposing standing in the circle, but let her go to work and things change instantly. Bringing a drop, rise, and changeup to the table, Salazar showed good movement on her spin pitches, to go with her fastball that sat consistently at 58 mph. In her five innings of work, Salazar struck out seven, but more importantly did not allow a walk or an earned run. Salazar’s go-to pitch was her rise that hitters struggled to lay off of.


Softball | Softball Tournament | 4/22/2026

PG Softball Battle for the Belt

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Perfect Game Softball Battle for the Belt April 18-19, 2026 Des Moines, Iowa It was a cold and very windy weekend, but the girls still came out and put in their best efforts. If you wanted the place to see some of the state’s top talent, this was the tournament to be at. The 18u division was quite the slugfest! The Ankeny Centennial 18U -Kennedy team took down a tough Iowa Alliance Select-Benge team in the championship. Both teams had double digit homeruns on the weekend. In the 16u division the Iowa Aries CE Fire Black took control of the game from the start and never let up on the gas, taking down a solid Alliance Select- Harper team. 18U Division Kori Lincicum (2026 Ankeny, IA) of the Centennial Jaguars- Kennedy and Drake Bulldog softball commit was the weekends MVP Pitcher. Lincicum defeated a tough Alliance team in the championship game finishing with that game with 11...
College | Rankings | 5/4/2026

College Top 25: May 4

Vincent Cervino
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One of the keys to putting together a historical season is not purely talent, but the ability to win games by any means necessary.  The No. 1 UCLA Bruins (43-4) have demonstrated that all year, often riding the strength of their pitching and defense to victory but at other times, slugging their way to a win.  The latter is what kept their perfect (24-0) record in Big Ten play intact, as they overcame an 8-run deficit in the last 3-innings yesterday to defeat Michigan State on the road by a score of 13-11.  The Bruins have already clinched the Big Ten Regular Season title and only have two series remaining in their quest for an undefeated conference record.  UNC (37-9) had an off week and remain at No. 2, while No. 3 Georgia Tech (39-8) won an out-of-conference series against Xavier.  The Texas Longhorns (35-10) stick at No. 4 this week after a huge home series...
High School | General | 5/1/2026

Texas High School Notebook

Jay Vossler
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Cullen Scott (‘28 TX) strikes out 8 over 6 IP. 4-Seam 94-97 T98 carry up. 2-Seam 90-93 ASR. And it’s easy velo out the hand; held velo into 6th. Slider 78-81 (2400 RPM) short and tight tilter. Curve 76-79 (2400 RPM) power depth varies between 10-4 and 11-5. Change 82-83 rolls out… pic.twitter.com/aFCQ6m70Ax — Perfect Game Texas (@Texas_PG) April 18, 2026 Cullen Scott (2028, Melissa, Texas) was as advertised in this look as he went 6 innings while striking out 8 batters. Throws 2 different fastballs and holds velo well throughout outing. 4-seam works 94-97 and topped out at 98 with carry up just jumps out of hand. 2-seam works 90-93 with good arm side run. Held velocity into the 6th. Slider 78-81 plays short with tilt and late bite getting upwards of 2400 RPM. Curve 76-79 with power depth that varies between shape 10-4 to 11-5. Change 82-83 rolls out of hand with...
Draft | Mock Draft | 5/1/2026

MLB Mock Draft: May 1

Tyler Henninger
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Pick Team Player Position School 1 Chicago White Sox Roch Cholowsky SS UCLA 2 Tampa Bay Rays Grady Emerson SS Fort Worth Christian 3 Minnesota Twins Vahn Lackey C Georgia Tech 4 San Francisco Giants Jackson Flora RHP UC Santa Barbara 5 Pittsburgh Pirates AJ Gracia OF Virginia 6 Kansas City Royals Eric Booth Jr. OF Oak Grove 7 Baltimore Orioles Ace Reese 3B Mississippi State 8 Athletics Jacob Lombard SS Gulliver Schools 9 Atlanta Braves Ryder Helfrick C Arkansas 10 Colorado Rockies Drew Burress OF Georgia Tech 11 Washington Nationals Jared Grindlinger LHP/OF Huntington Beach 12 Los Angeles Angels Cameron Flukey RHP Coastal Carolina 13 St. Louis Cardinals Cole Carlon LHP Arizona State 14 Miami Marlins Gio Rojas LHP Marjory Stoneman Douglas 15 Arizona Diamondbacks Tyler Bell* SS Kentucky 16 Texas Rangers Justin Lebron SS Alabama 17 Houston Astros Chris Hacopian SS Texas A&M 18...
High School | General | 4/30/2026

High School Notebook: April 30

Jordan Gates
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Slo-mo look at the swing by Jordan Ransom (‘26, AZ) #PGHS @QCHS_Athletics @PG_Draft https://t.co/fyPaOimF5k pic.twitter.com/T7yH6a1qRI — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) April 29, 2026 OF Ryan Harwood, Casteel (Ariz).  Harwood is one of the premier draft names in the state and showed why in the regular season finale. The Texas A&M commit collected a pair of hits and also threw a runner out at home from left field. Harwood possesses impressive physicality that can produce big impact at the plate. The profile has middle of the order upside. Defensively, Harwood profiles best for a corner outfield spot long term. The arm strength may allow him to slide over to right field, as he can produce strong on-line carry. Harwood showed off that arm strength on the mound, where he threw the last inning and ran the heater up to 91 mph. IF Jordan Ransom, Queen Creek...
High School | Rankings | 4/29/2026

High School Top 50 Update: April 29

Tyler Russo
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With another week in the books across the country in the high school baseball season, we have another update to the National Top 50. The southern states are rolling through the playoffs as the weeks unfold along with northern states starting to get to the back half of their schedule as the summer is quickly approaching. The top-10 holds firm in this update as Venice (FL) continues to hold onto the top spot after rattling off W’s since returning home to Florida. Barbe (LA) comes in at No. 2 this week after being ranked at No. 3 a week ago and sport a 37-1 record with 36 straight wins. Orange Lutheran (CA) drops one spot to No. 3 and a pair of Texas schools round out the top-5 as Tomball is at No. 4 and Aledo is at No. 5. 5-9 is the exact same this week as last as IMG Academy (FL) comes in at No. 6, Trinity (KY) is at No. 7, Harvard-Westlake (CA) is at No. 8 and Grapevine (TX) is at...
Juco | Rankings | 4/29/2026

JUCO Top 25: April 29

Troy Sutherland
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Two teams reached the 50 win mark this past week and both are in the top two spots of this weeks ranking. Pearl River continues to win and represents our top ranked D2 JUCO team. Welcome to the top 10 to Cloud County, who is putting together an outstanding season at 43-5. Fresno City, Palomar and Ohlone are the top teams in California. And welcome back to the top 25 to the NWAC and Lower Columbia. Check back next week as teams head into postseason play.  Rk. School Record 1 Johnson County (KS) 50-2 2 Gaston (NC) 50-3 3 Walters State (TN) 45-10 4 Blinn (TX) 37-12 5 Pearl River (MS) 43-9 6 Southern Nevada (NV) 35-10 7 Florence-Darlington (SC) 46-10 8 Florida Southwestern (FL) 35-15 9 Chipola (FL) 40-11 10 Cloud County (KS) 43-5 11 McLennan (TX) 39-11 12 John A Logan (IL) 44-8 13 Midland (TX) 44-6 14 Georgia Highlands (GA) 41-11 15 Fresno City (CA) 37-3 16 Cochise (AZ) 40-13 17 Harford...
College | Rankings | 4/29/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: April 29

Nick Herfordt
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Across all three divisions of college baseball, the teams making the most noise heading into the postseason share a common trait — they score runs, and they score them relentlessly. Along with the updated rankings, this week we take a look at the top run-producing programs in DII, DIII and NAIA baseball, spotlighting a trio of teams from each division whose offenses have separated themselves from the field. The numbers tell a compelling story. Whether it's the defending NAIA champion LSU Shreveport Pilots reloading with a new roster yet still posting 10+ runs per game, the Pittsburg State Gorillas hanging blowout after blowout on opponents, or the Lynchburg Hornets making a case as the most complete team in Division III baseball, the formula is largely the same — deep lineups, disciplined at-bats, and the ability to keep pressure on a pitching staff from the first pitch to...
College | Story | 4/30/2026

Coppy's Corner: April 30 POY Deep Dive

John Coppolella
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Each week I huddle with Vinnie Cervino and Craig Cozart to discuss Top-25 rankings and Players of the Week. In Coppy’s Corner, I dive deeper into these Players of the Week, providing analysis from 20+ years working in baseball front offices at the highest level.   Player of the Week: Jarren Advincula – Georgia Tech  Last week, Fernando Mendoza was taken with the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza transferred from the University of California – Berkeley (Cal) to Indiana University in advance of his draft year. Upon transferring, he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to a national championship. Advincula also transferred from Cal in advance of his draft year, but he took his talents to Georgia Tech. And, while there is still time left in the season, Advincula has positioned himself to be in the conversation for College Baseball’s...
Leagues | Story | 4/28/2026

Iowa Spring League Notebook: Week 5

Perfect Game Staff
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Dawson Weller (2027, Ottumwa, IA) showcased his two-way potential with a strong performance this weekend. On the mound, worked two clean innings while striking out 3 consistently living in the zone and getting ahead with first-pitch strikes. Showed the ability to control tempo and attack hitters throughout the outing. At the plate made a big impact in the same game, collecting two doubles and a home run. Displays quick hands through the zone with the ability to connect on an uphill path and generate carry off the barrel. A well-rounded showing that highlighted impact on both sides of the ball. Will Frederiksen (2026, Bettendorf, IA) had a loud weekend at the plate, launching 2 home runs and showing real impact with the bat. Generates plenty of juice in the swing with a simple, controlled load that allows him to stay on time. The swing works clean through the zone and produces strong...
College | Story | 4/28/2026

College Players of the Week: April 28

Craig Cozart
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April 28th Perfect Game/Player of the Week:  Jarren Advincula, IF, Georgia Tech  It is well documented how good the Georgia Tech offense was in 2025, so when the Yellow Jackets added Jarren Advincula from the transfer portal in the off-season, the expectations went through the roof for ’26.  Somehow, the team and Advincula have not only met but exceeded those expectations in virtually every way.  Advincula, the 6-2/195 infielder from Santa Clara, CA, has been a fixture in the middle infield and is an elite defender with the leather.  He shows natural instincts for the game and as the season has progressed, he has found himself inserted into the 3-hole in their powerful lineup.  Hitting from the left-side of the plate, Advincula put together an impressive week as Tech took down Georgia in the mid-week and swept Wake Forest on the weekend.  He was...
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