To say the Top Gun 18U National team is on a roll would be an understatement.

This Fall, Bob Turner’s team went 24-2 against the best competition in the 18U division thanks to the squad’s elite talent and great coaching.

This superior leadership has been noticed as the Top Gun coaches were recognized as the 2025 NFCA Region IV Coaching Staff of the Year—the third time the staff has received this honor—and was honored at the NFCA Convention this weekend.

The strong player ensemble consists of top 2026’s and 2027’s signed or committed to programs in the SEC, ACC and Big Ten and others.

Here’s a closer look at this Midwest powerhouse that will be one to watch in the new year…

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The History of the Organization

The Top Gun Fastpitch organization began in August of 2016, as Robb Behymer – founder of Top Gun Events — reached out to a half dozen different independent teams to bring the best ones in the Missouri and Kansas region together.

Behymer stepped away from the organization around 2020 after preparing the organization well to take the next steps. He returned his focus to continuing to provide elite travel ball experiences through Top Gun Events.

At that time, Joe Sciara took the reigns as the President of Top Gun Fastpitch with Stephanie Kim assuming the Vice President role.

Bob Turner took on the role of the Director of the National Program and it has grown it into what the program looks like today, recognized by US Club Rankings as the No. 5 program in the country.

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Top Gun Fastpitch Today

The organization is based out of Kansas City although Turner moved to Saint Augustine, Florida in 2024, where he’s begun the process of replicating the foundation started in Kansas City and duplicating it in the Northeast Florida region.

Currently, he Top Gun National Program has athletes from 18 different states that compete across the 14U, 16U and 18U age divisions.

At the broader organizational level, Top Gun has 36 teams across several states competing from 10U up through 18U.

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An Impressive Four-Year Run

The current Top Gun 18 National team success took a big jump in the Summer of 2022 when the organization claimed its first national championship to help pave the wave for the teams that have followed.

In 2023, the 18U National squad captured a 3^rd place finish at Triple Crown Nationals in Atlanta and a 5^th place finish at the Colorado Sparkler National Power Pool, leading to a national ranking of 3^rd in the US Club Rankings.

In 2024, the team produced an undefeated run through the Colorado Sparkler National Power Pool to finish 1^st followed by a Top 13 finish at PGF Premier National Championships and a US Club National Ranking of 4^th.

In 2025, Turner’s team went undefeated at the Triple Crown National Championships to claim the organization’s second national championship in less than four years and a three-year composite ranking of 5^th in the country by US Club Rankings.

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A Bright Future

“The kids just continue to raise the bar year over year and are committed to leaving it better than they found it each year,” Turner says of his team’s rise to become one of the best in the country.

“For example, in 2025 we were the only Midwest based organization that had a team at 14U, 16U, and 18U all ranked inside the Top 16 teams in the country in their respective age group.”

Not surprisingly, this year’s current team is poised for another great season in 2026.  This fall, Top Gun 18U had a spectacular run, going 24-2 on the fall against a strong and competitive schedule:

• 2nd place finish at the PGF Show Me the Money in Florida
• undefeated at the Bombers Exposure Event in Texas
• undefeated at the Clearwater (Fla.) Invitational
• 1st place finish at the PGF Show Me the Money in Georgia

So what makes this team so good?

“This team has a special combination of outstanding pitching, elite power, and the most team speed we have had in years,” Turner continues.

“While we had to replace some special seniors from the 2025 class, the new additions to this year’s group made an immediate impact.”

Loyalty to the program has been key, the head coach explains.

“The organization has kids top to bottom that bleed orange and navy (the org’s colors),” Turner says. “Their level of commitment to preserving the achievements of our past players by working hard and trusting the process is admirable.  They compete hard, support one another (no matter which team), and push each other to be better players and teammates every day.”

There’s also an impressive level of mentoring from the older and more experienced players.

“One of the big things that I think makes the organization special is that the players on Top Gun 18 National understand their responsibility to the younger athletes in the program and they appreciate the influence they have on our younger kids.”

Success breeds success and the pipeline to elite talent looks strong now and in the future.

“We have a few new additions that we will announce soon to make this elite group even stronger as we pursue a PGF National Championship in 2026!” Turner concludes.

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Here is a look at the team player-by-player… note that 2026’s are signed with the universities indicated and the 2027’s are committed.

Players are listed alphabetically by last name and rankings refer to the 2026 HOT 100 released by Line Drive Softball.

Evaluations and comments are by Coach Turner…

Reygan Ackley (2026, IF, Lehigh)
Reygan is a 5-foot-9 first baseman who swings a clutch bat.  One of those kids that rises to the occasion when the stakes rise, she has come through in numerous challenging situations over the years for Top Gun. Reygan was ranked No. 57 in the Class of 2026 and will no doubt make a big impact at Lehigh next fall, where she will take her powerful bat to Pennsylvania.

Emme Aslan (2026, IF/OF, Florida Atlantic)
Emme is a talented power hitter with outstanding plate discipline. Her ability to lay off borderline pitches and attack those that are part of her game plan is what makes her so challenging to pitch to. Emme hit 6 home runs, averaging a home run every 6.7 at bats, and drove in 16 runs. Ranked No. 53 in the Class of 2026, this big-time hitter will bring quite the presence to the Owls of FAU next fall.

Bailey Barnett (2027, IF, North Carolina)
Bailey is a powerful competitor from Missouri who plays a terrific infield.  As one of the top players to come out of the Midwest—she’s ranked No. 32 in the 2027 HOT 100, Bailey hit 12 home runs and drove in 61 runs this summer for Top Gun 16 National – Kim.  A true run producer, she hit .406 with runners in scoring position, helping her drive in 16 of those 61 runs with two outs.

Olivia Bennett (2026, OF, Florida Atlantic)
Olivia is a 5-foot-9 left-handed hitting outfielder with a great combination of speed and power. The younger sister of LA Rams quarterback Stetson Bennett, Liv has carved her own path in the game of softball.  Ranked No. 51 in the Class of 2026, Liv is sure to make a big impression on the Owls program in the future.

Kelsie Donaldson (2026, P, NC State)
Kelsie, otherwise known as KD, is coming off a tremendous high school season and career.  She won a state championship at Raymore-Peculiar High School and set numerous records along the way.  A true two-way player, she impacts the game in a big way in the circle and at the plate.  Ranked No. 20 in the Class of 2026 HOT 100, she’s ready for one more big summer before heading off to Raleigh!

Charlotte Garrison (2026, C, Boston College)
Charlotte is one of the top catchers in the 2026 class.  Ranked as the No. 32 player in the Line Drive HOT 100 for the Class of 2026, she possesses an elite arm that shuts down run games.  This fall alone, she caught four stealing and picked two off, one to end a game in Texas with a “strike’em out and pick’em off” double play.  A powerful hitter who hit .318 this fall, Charlotte is a fantastic catcher ready to take on the ACC.

Olivia Keiter (2026, MIF, Alabama)
Olivia is a dual threat offensively and a versatile defender who can impact the game in many ways.  She can hit for power, slap and bunt, and will steal 20-plus bases a year.  Defensively, adept up the middle on the infield and aggressive in the grass, she can do a little bit of everything.  A Top 10-ranked player in the Line Drive 2026 HOT 100, this PGF All-American is ready to do big things in Tuscaloosa!

Gracie Mazzola (2026, IF, Washington)
Gracie is a talented middle infielder who also possesses the ability to compete at a high level in the grass.  Offensively, led Top Gun 16 National STL this summer in nearly every major offensive category.  Ranked No. 22 in the Class of 2026 HOT 100, her travel ball career wrapped up in Clearwater at the Team NJ Clearwater Invite, as she will enroll early in January with the Huskies.

Sloane Merrell (2027, P, Purdue)
Sloane is a talented two-way player out of Las Vegas, NV.  A lefty pitcher who works downing the zone effectively and swings a big bat, she can impact the game a few different ways.  Ranked No. 36 in the 2026 HOT 100, Sloane unfortunately tore her ACL this fall and will miss the upcoming season, but we look forward to seeing her return to full health in the fall of 2026.

Kherington Morris (2027, C, uncommitted)
Kherington is a former baseball player who just gets better with every pitch.  A catcher with a 70+ overhead velocity and elite framing work, she shuts down run games and is a great partner to the pitching staff.  Offensively, Kherington—ranked No. 82 in the 2027 HOT 100, swings it with power to all fields and runs with above average speed.  She has visits to the ACC this winter, so expect her to decide soon!

Ava Papaleo (2026, OF, Virginia Signee)
Ava is one of the most polished power hitters in the country, regardless of class.  Ranked as the No. 4 player in the Class of 2026, she was coming off injury this summer when she returned to the diamond at the PGF Premier National Championships.  All she did there was hit .571 in seven games with five home runs, eight RBIs and a 2.348 OPS.  A big-time competitor, she’ll no doubt make a quick impact on the ACC with Virginia!

Lily Pullen (2027, P, North Carolina State)
Lily is a crafty lefty with elite spin rates.  She will attack hitters with a combination of rise, curve, and change; each pitch having a high percentage of swing and miss action.  Lily will run it through the zone between 62-to-65 mph and will be a welcome addition to the Wolfpack pitching staff in the fall of 2027.

Allison Ryan (2026, UT, North Carolina)
Allison is a 5-foot-7 athlete that can play seven positions on the diamond and swing it with power to all fields from the left side.  Blessed with plus speed, she’s also a player who will steal double digit bases for us this summer.  A great addition to this already talented group!

Bryli Seifert (2027, MIF, LSU)
Bryli is one of the top hitters in the country and had a monster fall for Top Gun 18 National, leading the teamt in home runs, RBIs and runs scored.  A talented middle infielder, Bryli also has the ability to play seven different positions on the diamond, which will help her transition very quickly in Baton Rouge for the Tigers in the fall of 2027.  She was ranked No. 4 in the 2027 HOT 100 Top 10 released Sept. 5, 2025.

Baleigh Shanks (2027, OF, uncommitted)
Baleigh is a speedy outfielder who patrols the grass at an elite level.  She made several highlight reel plays for the Top Gun 18 National defense this fall.  A lefty hitter who was recently named All State for Fort Zumwalt West High School in the St Louis area, she was second on the Top Gun 16 National STL squad this summer in triples, runs, and steals. Baleigh, who was ranked No. 84 in the 2027 HOT 100, has several offers and more visits on the horizon, so expect to see another talented commitment from this group soon.

Kamryn (Kam) Timmons (2027, P, Ole Miss)
Kam is a big-time power pitcher who attacks the zone with 67-68 mph velocity and a great mix of pitches.  Her rise, screw, curve, and change combination gives hitters fits as she isn’t afraid to attack them through the zone. At 5-foot-10 and powerful, Kam looks to build on what was a very successful fall campaign! Click HERE to read about how Kam committed to Ole Miss.

Sydnee Wagner (2026, IF, Southern Illinois)
Sydnee is a gifted 5-foot-11 infielder with all the tools.  Can swing it with power to all fields and is a versatile defender across the infield.  Ranked #46 in the Class of 2026, she is out injured due to a surgical repair; however, she will no doubt due big things for the Salukis beginning next fall!

Mia West (2028, IF, uncommitted)
Mia is young in terms of her age, but she made a huge splash this fall on the diamond and on the recruiting trail.  She led Top Gun 18 National with 8 doubles, while adding two home runs and 17 RBIs to her tally.  Defensively, she flat got it done on the hot corner at third, while also displaying quality skills behind the plate.  Major programs from all P4 conferences have expressed strong interest in this sophomore!

Brooke Zuluaga (2026, OF, Miami of Ohio)
Brooke is a talented outfielder who can beat you several ways.  At 5-foot-8 and powerful, she can leave the yard but will also drop a bunt and beat it out with her speed. Brooke was ranked No. 50 in the Class of 2026 HOT 100 and will no doubt do big things in Oxford!