July 5, 2026
By Jack Carlough
AURORA — Neither lineup had much trouble finding barrels in Friday’s Triple Crown 18U/16u Showcase Game.
In a six-inning affair aimed at helping top high school players connect with college softball coaches, six went deep and two others recorded an extra-base hit at the Aurora Sports Park. Class of 2028 pitcher/outfielder Summer Pence, 2029 pitcher/outfielder Makayla Megnauth and 2028 catcher/outfielder Bailey Hall were particularly impactful, as each homered and tallied an extra-base hit.
“I don’t normally hit, so I was like, ’Okay, I’m gonna see the ball like a beach ball,’” said Megnauth, a Floridian who later struck out four in three innings of relief. “I swung for the fences.”
With each team comprised of top players from various 16U and 18U teams, the visiting “Blue Team” and the home “Red Team” played to an 11-11 tie. Each team sent six batters to the plate per inning.
“It was awesome,” Megnauth said. “I loved getting to know new people. They were all so sweet and great ball players. It was an amazing experience in general.”
Megnauth’s battery mate, Hall, also impressed behind the plate. The rising junior from Kansas threw a runner out and showed her athleticism in successfully fielding a bunt.
“I love it.” said Hall, who caught all six innings for the Blue Team. “It’s like my art. I love perfecting it. That’s basically all I work on.”
Like Megnauth, Hall enjoyed getting to know her teammates for the day.
“It was really fun,” Hall said. “Sometimes, it might be uncomfortable, but that group of girls was really fun to be around, and the coaches. It was just a really great atmosphere.”
In the circle, 2029 pitcher/first baseman Ashley Mentz struck out four in two innings for the Red Team and 2029 pitcher/first baseman Adella Loman K’d one in three innings for the Blue Team. Red relievers Pence and 2028 pitcher/outfielder Savannah Toukatly each tossed two innings to close things out.
“I think my rise was doing decent,” said Hall, who struck out two. “I tried to lean into my drop and my two-seam fastball as well.”
Still, the ball was flying in Aurora. Others who homered included 2028 middle infielder Aubrey Kresbaugh, 2029 shortstop/third baseman Olivia Green and 2028 shortstop/third baseman Brooklyn Swick. Plus, 2029 third baseman/outfielder Ava Lantrip had three singles and an RBI.
