We’re at the stage of catching our breaths now after all the summer tournaments and I thought it would be a good time to reflect back on top players I saw in person, thus the “All-Summer Team” highlighting players at each position.

Below is the list of my Dream Team players who’d I’d build a team with after seeing them in action over the last two months.

Note that there’s an important qualifying factor here: I’m not saying these are necessarily the best softball players in the country—I’m saying these are the best I saw in person in two or more games (not comfortable making an evaluation in only one game)—and who I’d be comfortable going to battle based on what I saw on and off the field.

Surely I’m missing some outstanding players… you tell ME who should be on this list!  Email to brentt@studentsports.com or tweet at @ss_softball and we’ll do a follow-up soon.

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P Delanie Gourley (SoCal A’s, 2013)—Florida
Delanie gets my vote as the MVP of the PGF 18U Premier National Championship.  She won every game, led the tournament with 56 K’s, including 17 in one game, and was the difference maker in the A’s winning an unheard of fourth straight championship.  Totally cool under pressure situations, she’s best when the game is tight.

P Taylor McQuillin (OC Batbusters, 2015)—uncommitted
Taylor carried the Batbusters all summer and is as fierce of a competitor as you’ll find.  Because of her, the team was one win away from the PGF National Championship game even though the offensive wasn’t as explosive as it usually is.

C Carlee Wallace (So Cal A’s, 2014)—Arizona State
She had more runners thrown out at second than any catcher I saw all summer.  Just a rock defensively, like the entire A’s team she is mechanically precise in everything she does.  She hit .440 in the PGF championship run and in 10 games (counting pool play) had 11 RBI so you know she’s a force at the plate too.

1B Kaylea Snaer (So Cal A’s, 2013)—South Carolina
Kaylea is a hitting machine, she went 12 for 27 at PGF and had three homers, tied for second most in bracket play, with 12 RBI, third best overall.  When I watched her on defense I saw a smooth fielder who’s efficient in her movements and seems to be always thinking ahead to the next move.

2B Kelli Schkade (Texas Glory-Shelton, 2013)—Missouri
Few teams were as adept at putting the ball in play as Glory and Kelli was one I was most impressed with.  She was skilled at putting the bat on the ball, driving in runs and was a force once on base (she had seven steals in 10 games at PGF).  Her glove was impressive also in the two games I saw her play.

SS Delaney Spaulding (Team Mizuno-Stith, 2013)—UCLA
The best position player I saw all year, she has National Team talent and will be a dominant player for the Bruins based on what I saw all summer.  Delaney led the PGF Premier tournament with five home runs and 15 RBI and they came in key times against the best pitchers in the country.  My vote for the No. 1 player in the 2013 class.

3B Jenna Lilley (Beverly Bandits, 2014)—ßOregon
I love her hitting approach as she puts the bat on the ball and is a tough out.  Hit .412 at PGF and plays an excellent defense at third.  She’s softball smart (3.9 GPA doesn’t hurt) and in high school ball has three state titles and was the Ohio State Player of the Year after hitting .697 for her Hoover High (North Canton) team.  Just a winner whom you can build a program around.

OF Casey Stangel (Explosion, 2013)—Missouri
It was obvious that the teams who played against the Explosion I saw had scouted Casey because she was pitched around more times than anyone else I watched. Athletic and dangerous at the plate or as a pitcher, she finds multiple ways to beat you and no one works harder to hone her craft.

OF Brooke Vines (So Cal A’s, 2015)—Stanford
Brooke is the prototype leadoff hitter with speed who can slap for a hit at any time.  I saw her get an infield hit in one game and then steal second and third and come home on a sac fly.  She’s instant offense and is solid in right field.  What’s scary is she has headroom to improve so in a year or two she will be scary good.

OF Faith Canfield (So Cal A’s, 2015)—Michigan
Yes, it’s another incoming junior from the A’s, but Faith stepped up in big games and none bigger than the championship game when she had a two-run homer.  During the PGF week, she hit .444 in 10 games with 10 RBI.  Also plays infield but I liked what she brought defensively to the outfield.

UT (3B/SS/OF) Marshaylee Knighten (Corona Angels, 2013)—Nebraska
I loved her competitive fire and ability to beat you with the bat or her glove.  She hit a shot in the Champions Cup that would have been a home run in a baseball park.  Definitely one of the top fielding infielders I saw all summer as well.

UT (OF/IF) Natalie Peters (The Next Level, 2015)—Michigan
One of the fastest slap hitters I saw, once she puts the ball on the ground it’s almost impossible to get her out at first and then she’ll steal second and third on you to make an infield hit like a triple.  A catalyst who makes things happen, she’s only going to get better in time.

UT (SS/3B) Marisa Runyon (NC Lady Lightning, 2013)—Alabama
A smooth-hitting lefty who can stroke for power or average and defensively is a vacuum cleaner at short.  She’s the type that when you walk up to a field you notice her instantly as the top athlete around. She’s the type that can play every position and excel.