2026 Perfect Game Softball Turf Wars
January 9-11
Ashley Mears
The 2026 season kicked off in impressive fashion at the Fun City Dome in Burlington, Iowa, featuring a highly competitive field across both age groups. The 18U division was loaded with talent, including over 20 Division I and II commits and several high-upside prospects, leading to intense bracket play and multiple walk-off finishes. Iowa Nationals claimed the championship over a well-rounded Iowa Prospects Gold team. The 14U division brought together quality programs from Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. The tournament championship was an exciting matchup where Southeast Iowa Swarm edged a tough Black Dragons squad.
18u
Lauren Hagedorn (2026, Adel, IA) of Iowa Nationals and future Iowa State Cyclone earned weekend MVP honors after a strong two-way performance. In the circle, she consistently kept hitters off balance with an effective mix of pitches, highlighted by a sharp rise ball. She logged 13 innings and recorded 18 strikeouts, showing poise and command in big moments. At the plate, Hagedorn combined patience and power, working counts and driving the ball with authority. She finished the weekend with eight hits, including two doubles and two home runs, while driving in seven runs. Her ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball made her a constant presence, and Iowa State is adding a competitive, high-upside athlete.
Tessa Jones (2027, Grimes, IA) of Iowa Nationals earned the weekend’s Most Valuable Pitcher award as she emerged as one of the tournament’s most dominant pitchers. An athletic arm with advanced command, Jones attacked hitters with a complete arsenal, featuring a fastball in the low 60s along with a drop, changeup, curve, and rise. Her late-breaking curveball was particularly effective in disrupting timing and sealed many strikeouts with a deceiving rise-ball. She led the tournament with nine innings pitched and 24 strikeouts. With her skill set and continued development, Jones is a 2027 prospect firmly worth tracking.
Delaney Wyble (2026 Ankeny, IA) a power hitting third baseman for the Iowa Gold Prospects came in clutch for her team this weekend. Wyble uses a very simple plate approach and utilizes a quick jab step to gain power and separation. Getting her lower half into each pitch she consistently drives the ball with authority. Wyble finished the weekend with five hits, including three doubles and a 3-run homerun to put her team on top in the semi-final game. Still uncommitted, Wyble has the ability to play at the next level if she chooses to do so.
University of Minnesota recruit Jordyn Kennedy (2026 Ankeny, IA) was doing what she does best and absolutely crushing the ball. Kennedy’s unmatched power makes her an extreme threat at the plate, forcing many teams to pitch around her which resulted in darwing six walks on the weekend. When given the chance, Kennedy still finished 2nd on the Top Performers list with six hits, which included two doubles and two home runs and knocking in 6 RBIs.
Ferris State commit Tatum Johnson (2026 Urbandale, IA) of the Iowa Gold Prospects was another strong force at the plate, also forcing teams to pitch around her. Johnson drew 4 walks and was also hit by a pitch three times and STILL found herself 3rd for Top Performers. Johnson’s success at the plate comes from her raw power, bat speed and ability to barrel up any pitch thrown at her. Johnson finished the weekend with four total hits, which included 2 home runs and a grand slam while knocking in eight RBIs.
Ella Dejonghe (2027 Rock Island, IL) a right-handed hitter for the 09 Midwest Sluggers had a weekend for her team. Starting in a slightly open stance and using a quick step to transfer power, Dejonghe continuously worked the count waiting on her pitch. The up-and-coming 2027, finished her weekend with four hits including two home runs and knocking in 5 RBIs for her team. Dejonghe is a name you will continue to hear and one to keep your eye on in this 2027 class.
Lauren Vaske (2026 Farley, IA), a right-handed pitcher for the Lady Expos Blue, was impressive this weekend. An uncommitted 2026, Vaske did an exceptional job working all corners of the zone. Working with a solid rise ball, fastball, change up and drop, Vaske did her job keeping batters guessing. Vaske finished her weekend with 15 strikeouts through eight innings pitched, only allowing two earned runs.
Other notable performances:
Natalie Zatloukal (2027 Urbandale, IA) of the Iowa Gold Prospects racked up quite the stat line while only playing in one day of the tournament. Zatloukal batted .800, tallying 4 hits, including a double and a homerun, knocking in four RBIs.
Charlotte Nigey (2026 Bettendorf, IA) of NE Gold 319, another player who was only able to make one day of the tournament, still finished one of the top stat lines hitting, .750, which included 3 hits, including a double and homerun, and also showing her patience at the plate walking three times. Nigey is no stranger to scout notes, still uncommitted, I’m excited to see where this hitter lands.
Lily Knutson (2026 Cedar Rapids, IA), an Augustana softball commit, is no stranger in my scout notes, and not a stranger to the Pitching Top Performers list. Knutson shows up weekend after weekend putting up big stat lines. Knutson struck out 20 through 9 innings pitched.
14U
Lauren Hinshaw (2030 Oqwaka, IL) a right-handed power hitter for the Southeast Iowa Swarm was the weekend’s Most Valuable Player. Hinshaw’s power at the 14u level is unmatched. Using a big step to help transfer power, Hinshaw was able to barrel up several pitches, resulting in eight hits, including three doubles, one homerun and tournament high 11 RBIs. Hinshaw is the batter you want up with the game on the line. Just a 2030, this player is only going to improve her power and get better, I’m excited to continue to watch this player grow and mature in the game.
Kylea Schwenker (2029 New London, IA), a left-handed pitcher for the Southeast Iowa Swarm was the weekend’s Most Valuable Pitcher. Schwenker was very effective constantly pounding the outside corner which resulted in several swings and misses and weak ground balls. Her fast ball was consistently hitting 61mph and had a change up to compliment it. Schwenker showed a ton of potential and will only get better as she continues to work on her speed and command. She also found herself near the top of the Hitting Top Performers List tallying eight hits, including a double and 6 RBIs. I am excited to continue to follow Schwenker as she continues to mature in the game. Add this lefty to your 2029 list to follow.
Lizzie Camp (2028 Douds, IA) is a right-handed pitcher for the Black Dragons. Working with a fastball, change up, drop curve and two seam, Camp worked in the 55-56mph range. Her drop curve proved to be highly effective as well. Camp finished her weekend with a tournament hit 12 strikeouts on 5 innings pitched and only allowed one earned run. As camp continues to get stronger and pick up speed, she will only continue to improve and will be one to keep on your radar.
Brynley Wenig (2029 Burlington, IA) this hometown player playing for the Southeast Iowa Swarm, is a dual threat both in the box and on the mound, finishing in the top 3 on the both Top Performers lists. Wenig working in the 60mph range with her fastball, she also throws a curve, drop, screw and change up. In the box, Wenig batting in the clean up spot, was the clutch hitter her team needed driving in seven RBIs on five hits, including three doubles. Wenig is a gamer, and one you will continually see in upcoming Scout Notes as she continues to mature in the game. An extreme upside to this player on both sides of the game.
Taylynn Denning (2029, Warsaw, IL), a left-handed slapper for the Black Dragons, showcased impressive potential at the plate this weekend. Excelling in her role as a leadoff hitter, Denning consistently put pressure on the defense with her ability to get on base and precisely place the ball. Her speed and situational awareness were evident throughout the weekend, as she finished with eight hits, including three doubles, and added three stolen bases to her stat line.
Other Notable Performances and Up and Comers!
Taylor Ganz (2030 Lakeville, MN) of the TC Blitz 14U National- Britten lead her team in hitting over the weekend hitting .667. Ganz in her limited play, made a big splash while she was there going 2 for 3 with two doubles and two RBIs, walking once.
Elena Jongeling (2029 Prior Lake, MN) of the TC Blitz 14U Nation- Britten batting in the cleanup spot, hit .571, going 4 for 7 with a triple and three RBIs. Jongeling is a gamer, highly impressed and looking forward to watching her and her team play again.