Perfect Game Des Moines Elite 16

September 13th-15th

Urbandale, IA

URBANDALE, IA- The Perfect Game Des Moines Elite 16 highlighted three divisions of competitive teams and great softball.  Our scouts were on site all weekend watching the talented players of all divisions and below is a recap of their notes on some of the top performers.

18U Division

The MVP Pitcher of the weekend was University of South Dakota commit Aubrey Lensmeyer (Ankeny, IA 2025) of the Iowa Outlaws Select. Lensmeyer worked all corners of the zone, mixing her entire arsenal of pitches with include fastball, rise, change, curve and drop. Her fastball is consistently in the low 60s and topped out at 64mph this weekend. Helping earn her team the championship, Lensmeyer struck out 23 batters though 19 innings pitched.

The MVP Player award went to Kennedy Borud (Altoona, IA 2025) of the Iowa Prospects Gold. Borud is a very athletic first baseman that knocks down anything that comes her way and does a phenomenal job scooping balls thrown in the dirt. In the batter’s box, Borud is very intimidating, daring the pitcher to give her anything close. Borud’s stance is very simple and relaxed, but once the pitch is delivered, Borud does an excellent job of getting her hands through the zone, utilizing her lower and powers through. This uncommitted power hitter would be a great addition to any team.

Jordyn Kennedy (Ankeny, IA 2026)  of the Softball Club of Iowa, comes out weekend after weekend displaying her long ball power. Kennedy is a very strong athlete that generates power from every part of her body. Kennedy is a tough out for any pitcher, finishing the weekend with nine hits, five of those hits were homeruns and she tallied 11 RBIs. Kennedy has all the skills and abilities to be a threat in any batting line up at the next level.

Julia Roth (Dubuque, IA 2026) is another athlete you will find at the top of the leaderboard weekend after weekend. The leadoff batter for the Lady Expos, dares any pitcher to give her something to hit. Roth’s strength is hitting to the left side, but she can also take it opposite field. Her speed and athleticism are some of the best in her age group. Roth finished the weekend with 11 hits, which included four homeruns, a triple and three doubles. Roth can make an immediate impact in the circle, in the field and at the plate for any team that gives her an opportunity.

Madelyn Klever (Polk City, IA 2027) a left-handed hitter of the Iowa Prospects Gold. The lefty has a line drive approach and can hit the gap, with this combination the speedster was able to leg out two triples and four doubles and knocked in nine RBIs. Klever is just coming into her game and has not yet reached her ceiling. Keep your eyes on this 2027.

Sophia Schlader (Urbandale, IA 2028) of the Iowa Aries 16u National team is another athlete that continues to show up at the top of the leaderboard week after week. Her strength and confidence in the box is unmatched with any other 2028 I have seen. If there is any player you want up to bat with runners in scoring position, it is Schlader. Schladers powerful swing resulted in seven hits, three of which were homeruns. On the mound Schladers speed and movement kept batters off balance all weekend. Her fastball sitting in the 62-64mph range, topped at 66mph. Schlader finished the weekend 22 strikeouts through 13 innings pitched, walking two and only allowing two earned runs. This 2028 is the real deal.

Kori Lincicum (Ankeny, IA 2026) of the Softball Club of Iowa is another dual threat athlete that finds herself on top of both leaderboards for hitting and pitching, while only playing in just three games. In her first game of the tournament, Lincicum hit two homeruns while striking out 14 in five innings pitched.  Lincicum does a great job generating power both in the circle and in the box. Using a step to gain separating, Lincicum powers through her extension which results in several extra base hits. Offensively, Lincicum finished with five hits, which included three home runs and seven RBIs. On the mound, she finished with 24 strikeouts through 12 innings pitched, allowing zero earned runs. This athlete has the ability to play at the next level.

Lyla Canny (Walford, IA 2026) of the Cedar Rapids Reds continues to put herself on top of the leaderboard this fall. The 6 foot lefty works the outside of the corner hard and isn’t afraid to come inside on right handed batters when needed. With her fastball that sits in the low 60s, it appears even faster as the tall Canny comes off the mound at batters. Mixing in her movement pitches, as well catching batters by nipping the outside corner, Canny is very intimidating on the mound. Canny lead the tournament with 34 strikeouts through 17 innings pitched.

Charli Grosenheider (Lemars, IA 2025) of the Sioux City Futures was impressive this weekend. The catcher/Utility has very balanced athletic stance in the box. She does a great job of getting her hands through the zone and utilizes a small step to gain momentum. Batting in the 3 hole for the Futures, Grosenheider was key to their offense finishing the weekend with six hits, including two homeruns and six RBIs.

Carly Vogel (Dubuque, IA 2026) is a left handed hitter for Dubuque County. Vogel utilizes a small motion backwards to gain momentum and comes through with a slight step. Vogel uses a simple line drive approach, which resulted in several base hits. Vogel lead her team with 11 hits, which included four doubles and seven RBIs.

Katelyn Klever (Polk City, IA 2025) carried the load for her Iowa Prospects Gold team. Being in the top 10 in both Hitting and Pitching categories, Klever may not have a high strikeout rate but her spin results in a lot of ground balls making it easy on her defense. Klever throws a solid change up, drop, rise, screw and drop curve. Her fastball sits in the upper 50s but its her change up that she mixes in well to keep batters off balance. Klever finished the weekend with 19 strike outs through 25 innings pitched. Offensively, batting in the 4 hole, Klever has a solid athletic stance in the box. Her bat speed and slight motion back to gain momentum help her power through pitches. She finished the weekend with six hits which included two homeruns and eight RBIs.

Jersey Foote (Creston, IA 2025) of Alliance Select Benge put her power on display this weekend. Foote, a right-handed power hitter and outfielder, sets up in a slight open stance. Foote does not get cheated in her swings, as she utilizes her lower half and slight motion forward to gain power. Foote finished the weekend with six hits, four of which were homeruns, and nine RBIs. An uncommitted 2025, that has the ability to play at the next level if she chooses.  

16U Division

Wynn Renkes (2027 Prophetstown, IL) of the Heartland Havoc 08 had an outstanding performance this weekend, dominating at the plate with an impressive .813 batting average and 13 hits. Hitting from the right side, Renkes effectively utilizes her lower half, driving her hips through the ball to generate notable power. Her quick hands and pull-side dominance make her a formidable offensive threat. With a remarkable .833 on-base percentage, she showcased her intelligence on the bases, scoring 8 runs and contributing 5 RBIs. Renkes’s combination of skill and awareness positions her as a key player for her team’s success.

Leela Appeldorn (2028 Waukee, IA) of the Iowa Aries 16u Ce Fire showcased her exceptional skills this weekend, batting an impressive .571 with 12 hits. As a versatile slapper, she consistently makes solid contact and effectively finds gaps in the defense. Her quick speed out of the box allows her to utilize her slapping technique, while her consistent load and powerful lower half drive her performance at the plate. With 9 RBIs and 8 runs scored, Appeldorn demonstrated her ability to compete at a high level, making her a valuable asset in any lineup.

Jett Lunde (2027 Waukee, IA) of the Barracuda Aces 16u Olson had an outstanding weekend showcasing her skills both defensively and offensively. Behind the plate, Lunde demonstrated exceptional defensive prowess, highlighted by her impressive pop time of 2.01 seconds, which reflects her strong arm and quick release. This ability allows her to effectively control the running game, as she can easily pick off runners or throw out those attempting to steal. Offensively, Lunde excelled with a remarkable batting average of .667, accumulating 6 hits and demonstrating her power at the plate. Her combination of defensive skills and offensive production makes her a valuable asset to her team.

Ashley Sterling (2026 Ankeny, IA) of the Softball Club of Iowa 16u Black showcased her exceptional pitching skills this weekend, throwing an impressive 15 innings. Her performance was marked by consistent velocity in the low 50s, combined with effective pitch movement that kept opposing batters off balance. One of Sterling's standout pitches is her changeup, which is approximately 10 miles per hour slower than her fastball. This significant speed differential effectively disrupts the timing of batters, leading to weak contact and swings and misses. Sterling was a dominant presence in the circle this weekend pitching 15.1 innings with 14 strikeouts and a 3.20 ERA. Demonstrating her ability to control the game and keep hitters off balance. Her combination of pitches, particularly the rise ball and changeup, showcased her understanding of pitch selection and strategy. As a left-handed pitcher, she adds an additional layer of difficulty for right-handed batters, making her a valuable asset to her team.

Alexia Monroe (2027 Oshkosh, IA) of the NGSA 16u has demonstrated exceptional offensive capabilities, boasting an impressive batting average of .636. With 7 hits in her appearances, she has shown consistency at the plate, making her a reliable contributor to her team's offense. Her ability to drive the ball to the opposite field is a significant asset, showcasing her versatility and understanding of pitch placement. This skill not only allows her to exploit defensive alignments but also indicates a strong ability to adjust her swing based on pitch type and location.

Autumn Sertterh (2026 Agency, IA) of the Iowa Elite Force 16u Howell displayed strong offensive capabilities this weekend, finishing with a .545 batting average and six hits. Her open stance allows her to effectively handle outside pitches, showcasing her ability to drive the ball to the opposite field. With a level swing and an aggressive approach at the plate, Sertterh consistently puts the ball in play, making her a reliable option for moving runners. Her ability to adapt to different pitch locations and her focus on contact make her a valuable asset in the lineup, contributing to her team's offensive success.

Olivia Doty (2028 Clive, IA) of the Barracuda Aces 16u Doty has established herself as a formidable right-handed pitcher, delivering an impressive performance over 10.1 innings with a 2.70 ERA and 15 strikeouts. Her long legs and powerful hip drive contribute significantly to her ability to generate velocity, consistently clocking in the high 50s and reaching 60 mph. Doty features a well-developed screwball that has proven effective in generating swings and misses, along with a high zone rise ball that keeps batters off balance. Additionally, her curveball and ability to paint the corners enhance her repertoire, making her a defensive pitcher capable of controlling the game. Her poise on the mound and command of multiple pitches position her as a key asset for her team.

14U Division

Alex Ballard (2029 Ashland, NE) of the Iowa Aries 14u Ce Fire was dominant at the plate and on the mound this past weekend. One the mound the right-handed pitcher got ahead in counts and was able to change the batter's eye level beautifully with her effective riseball. Ballard pitched 6 innings with 8 strikeouts, only allowing one walk. Fielding her position well she helped her team get their first win of the weekend against the Iowa Gold Prospect 14u. Also contributing at the plate this weekend, Ballard batted .636 with 7 hits, 8 RBIs and 1 homerun.

Brylynn Petek (2028, Johnston IA) of the Iowa Aries 14u Cs Fire had a great weekend behind the plate and in the box. Petek has a cannon of an arm and doesn’t hesitate to throw the ball down at any base. Petek threw out a runner at second base in Friday night’s game against the Iowa Gold Prospect 14u. On the offensive side, Petek contributed 8 hits with a batting average of .615, 8 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases. Her aggressiveness on the base paths and behind the plate are traits to note. 

Brielle Anderson (2029, Cedar Rapids) of the Blue Devils had a great weekend on the mound and at the plate. Anderson has a phenomenal rise ball for her age as she struck out 10 batters in 11.2 innings of work. Her speed ranges from 55-57 mph with a change up around 48mph. At the plate hitting from the right side, she had a weekend batting average of .584 with 7 hits. Her speed on the base paths is also impressive as she had 3 stolen bases on the weekend.  

Kaylee Byers (2028 Ankeny, IA) of the Ankeny Xtreme Black 2010 14u- Byers had a phenomenal weekend at the plate hitting for multiple extra bases. She is a right-handed hitter that gets her barrel through the zone quickly. Byers was a threat in the box with a .667 batting average on the weekend with 2 doubles, 1 triple, and 2 homeruns. This player has a bat to keep an eye out for in the future. 

Brylee Bach (2028 Ankeny, IA) for the Ankeny Xtreme Black 2010 14u- Bach had a great weekend both offensively and defensively. The lefty hitter is not only a threat at the plate but also on the base paths. She had 10 hits with 3 doubles with a .625 batting average, while also contributing 3 stolen bases and scoring 12 times on the weekend. Her speed and aggressiveness is highly impressive not only on the bases but also in the outfield.

Allana Benoit (2028 Carver, MN) 14u Catalyst National Schellhammer had an amazing weekend on the mound helping her team win the 2024 PG Elite 16 14u tournament in Des Moines, IA this past weekend. Benoit spots her fastball well, throwing consistently between 56-58 mph with a curveball that is out of this world for her age. In the championship game she pitched 5 innings with 6 strikeouts and only giving up 1 walk. On the weekend she had a 1.60 ERA pitching 13 innings with 15 strikeouts. She is an arm to keep an eye out for in the 2028 class.