2019 PGF: 18U Premier Rewind
Following another year of top level play at PGF 18U Premier let’s look back at some of the best performances, players, and teams from this year’s field.
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STANDOUT GAMES/TEAMS
Athletics Mercado
The champions of 18U Premier, Athletics-Mercado appeared to almost be a “Team of Destiny” as things seemed to be firing on all cylinders offensively, defensively, in the circle, their depth, as well as with their team energy and chemistry. It was hard to watch them play and not feel “it”. Everything just worked for the Athletics, down to the ball that took a crazy hop off the third base bag to help score Quincee Lilio (2021, Oklahoma) in the championship.
Top to bottom the lineup produced. Truly, it’s hard to single out one offensive standout with the numbers nearly everyone was putting up including Paige Smith (2019, Ole Miss), Maddie Simon (2020, Duke), Alysa Flores (2019, Oklahoma), Lexi Sosa (2019, UCLA), and Valarie Pero (2019, Oregon State).
This success shouldn’t be a surprise as Mercado’s core group of athletes have been together since 10U and have enjoyed a history of success under the Athletics-Mercado name. Their PGF finishes include: placing second at 10U and 16U Premier while winning 12U and 14U Premier National titles.
Georgia Impact
The reigning 2018 PGF Champions entered the week considered a “long shot” to make another run for the title after losing a handful of players to Team USA U19. But someone forgot to tell this group of young women who came together and charged through a challenging bracket.
Their path included victories over Aces Xpress (6-4), Universal Spary (10-1), and Universal Garcia (2-1) before dropping their first loss to the Thunderbolts (2-1). The Impact came back to defeat a surging Universal Garcia squad again (6-3) then avenged their earlier loss, beating the Thunderbolts (6-1). The Impact then were tasked with defeating the heat So Cal Athletics twice to move on to Saturday’s final, which they did, in dramatic fashion.
In a season that may have gone a bit differently than planned, what a fantastic way for this group of athletes to end it!
Universal
Universal is loaded with talent and a tight-knit group from an already close, family-like organization. So it was no surprise to see Coach Martin Garcia’s squad battle to the very last out. Their path during PGF included victories over the Lil Rebels (3-0) and NW Bullets (4-1) before suffering their first loss to Georgia Impact (2-1). The team regrouped, went on a tear, and picked up some statement wins over Jax Storm (9-0), PA Chaos (8-0), and Firecrackers TJ (7-3) before falling again to the Impact (6-3).
I was able to catch the PA Chaos game and was so impressed by what I saw from the moment the first pitch was thrown. The energy was high, the team was focused, and they came out ready to take on whoever they were faced with. Almost immediately Grace Guzman (2020) made a fantastic diving catch in center to end the first inning and rob a single; Alexis Bishop (2020, Cal) launched a no-doubter in the bottom of the first; and Raegan Breedlove (2020, Oregon) shut it down in the circle. But what may have been my favorite moment was following a solo-shot from Isabela Emerling (2021) in the bottom of the second inning she rounds third, full of emotion, and fired her team up with a loud scream, “we aren’t going home, let’s go!” And no, no you weren’t, Universal. They survived three losers’ bracket games on Thursday before falling Friday morning. All the same, they had a great showing and a lot to be proud of. Everyone in the lineup contributed including big performances from Tehya Bird (2020, Oregon) and Destiny Quiles (2019, Utah) who posted multiple RBI games for Universal.
Tampa Mustangs TJ
It’s become a common theme but the Tampa Mustangs always impress. They’re a “smaller” organization with a lot of punch so you know whenever you see the Mustang name you’re in for a battle. The whole organization is coached well with leaders who hold their athletes to high standards that those athletes rise to. It makes for some fun, really strong softball.
Head coach TJ Goelz’s squad finished third at PGF Premier. They collected victories over Amerian Freedom (5-0), Illinois Chill (10-2), and Sorcerer Old Skool (3-2) before suffering their first loss to So Cal A’s Richardson (6-3). The Mustangs fell into the losers’ bracket and back to their winning ways eliminating Bandits Kelly (8-7), Firecrackers Rico (6-4), and the OC Batbusters (4-3) before exiting the tournament in the bracket championship following a 3-0 loss to Athletics-Mercado.
What stood out to me was how their depth in the circle played a crucial role in the Mustangs’ deep run. Payton Kinney (2020, UConn), Brooklyn Lucero (2020, NC State), and Claire Davidson (2020, Florida) all threw noteworthy innings during PGF. Each stepped up rather it was relief, to stop bleeding, or to close out a game and all played a big part in the Mustangs’ success. That’s the great part of having an actual “staff”.
Offensively, Coach Goelz got a bit of production from everyone in his lineup with Davidson and Taylor Krapf (2021, Duke) anchoring a majority of the scoring efforts.
Keep an eye out for the Tampa Mustangs who should return a majority of this talented lineup as they only lose two seniors from this summer’s roster.
So Cal Athletics – Richardson
The So Cal Athletics ran through the 18U Premier bracket knocking off power house teams like EC Bullets Schnute (3-0), Tampa Mustangs TJ (6-3), and the OC Batbusters (4-2) ultimately falling twice in the bracket championship to the Georgia Impact. While this deep run as somewhat of a surprise this group of athletes came together and it all just “clicked”. This was another team where many things jut seemed to go right for them and were firing on all cylinders playing on an elite level.
Jazmine Hill (2019, ASU), Hannah Slike (2021), Kristiana Watson, Sydney Steele (2019, Stanford), and Ali Belarde (2020, Utah) all produced and contributed “clutch” moments at the plate but the defense and Devyn Netz (2020, Arizona) stole the show, more on Netz below.
Beverly Bandits Kelly versus Midwest Speed
This may be a game you missed but it was a fun one and the score doesn’t necessarily speak to how great it really was. The Bandits came away with the 8-4 victory but it was tied four-all heading into the top of the seventh with the Midwest Speed giving the Bandit all they could handle.
The Speed chased Sydney Supple (2019, Northwestern) after putting up four runs (three earned) through 3.1 innings of work. They would see three different Bandits arms while Grace Glanzer (2019, SDSU) went the distance but eventually seemed to run out of steam. Though she was tough to the last out.
This game was one of the more intense matchups I saw with loads of passion and a ton of offense including five home runs between the two teams.
The Midwest Speed had an exciting week at PGF and played well. They had a tough first round draw in the Demarini Aces, who they had also just played in pool play, and battled through a tough 2-0 game. Madi Newman, Maddie Pederson, Jade Tomashek, Holly Blaska, and Glanzer all had successful moments at the plate during PGF including Newman who went deep twice off the Bandits’ Supple. Errors sealed the Speed’s fate versus the Bandits but all in all, a good week for the Speed.
Failing just short of Friday’s field, the Bandits were in the running for the championship from the get go. Errors also hurt the Bandits, including in their first loss to the LTG Lions. Lauren Boyd, Landon Bruce, and Supple all split time in the circle, another staff lifting each other up and making this deep run possible. But it was the Bandits offense that shined the brightest. Kiki Milloy, Ariel Carlson, Hallie Wacaser, Abby Doerr, Stormy Kotzelnick, and Supple all piled on the offense at the plate. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to out slug the Tampa Mustangs in the end and they exited the tournament finishing among the top teams yet again.
Oh! And fun fact, we learned the Supple is one heck of a first baseman. She made some incredible plays both in bracket play and during the High School All-American game which leaves us hoping we’ll she her play some first in college.
OC Batbusters & Firecrackers Rico/Weil,
Both these teams hail from storied programs and coaches who always are in the mix to make a deep run for the title. Unfortunately for the Batbusters and the Firecrackers they fell just short of the title game but they played strong softball the entire week and provided many intensity, memorable games.
The Firecrackers won their first bracket game over Sorcerer Gabales (3-1) before falling to the Beverly Bandits in a close 3-2 affair. This dropped them into the losers’ bracket where they rattled off five straight victories before falling for the final time on Friday morning to the Tampa Mustangs (6-4). It was an impressive run to say the least. Impact players include Sophia Nugent (2021), Alyssa Garcia (2019, UCLA), Sara Ladd (2019, Michigan State), Thessa Malau’ulu (2020, UCLA), and Madison Jacobus (2019, Utah).
For Stith’s Batbusters they cruised in bracket play beating OCBB Bracamonte (7-1), Lady Sluggers (11-2), Demarini Aces (5-4), LTG Lions (11-2) before dropping a game to So Cal Athletics Richardson (4-2). This landed them in a tough matchup with the Tampa Mustangs for a spot in the bracket championship. It came down to the wire but the Batbusters bowed out of the 2019 PGF tournament with a 4-3 loss. Some impact players include: Nicole May (2020, Oklahoma), Madi Elish (2021, Arizona), Zaida Puni (2020, Oklahoma), Sharlize Palacios (2019, Arizona), Tiare Jennings (2020, Oklahoma), Jasmine Perezchica (2020, Arizona). Look for the OC Batbusters to be back with a vengeance next year as they return a good portion of their 2019 roster which is exploding with talent from top to bottom.
STANDOUT PLAYERS
Allison Royalty – Athletics Mercado – 2020 ASU Commit
Allison Royalty dazzled and amazed. That’s really all there is to it and if you don’t know her name, you surely should now! She struck out an unbelievable 14 Impact hitters in the National Championship while surrendering only one hit. Other notable performances in the circle include a five innings and 10 strike out outing over the Thunderbolts and a complete game no-hitter versus the Chaos where she fanned 15. Her off-speed was nasty and her movement near impossible to touch.
Ryleigh White – Athletics Mercado – 2020 Tennessee Commit
Royalty may have stolen the show in the National Championship but Mercado doesn’t maybe make the run they did without Ryleigh White. She shutout a strong and talented Tampa Mustangs team striking out seven through seven innings. White also threw five shutout innings against Firecrackers – TJ fanning six and went another 4.1 innings versus Impact Gold Jackson, holding them to only two hits.
Grace Glanzer – Midwest Speed – 2019 South Dakota State Signee
If you don’t know the name “Grace Glanzer” you are missing out! This athlete is tough, a pure workhorse, and a gamer. She threw all 41 of the Midwest Speed’s PGF innings this year and looked strong all the way through until the final matchup with the Bandits, and even that was close until the end. Glanzer was brilliant versus the Sun Dodgers and Nebraska Gold striking out 13. She picked up eight more versus Firecrackers – Arizona and kept a powerful DeMarini Aces lineup in check. That may have been one of the most most impressive about Glanzer’s peformance at PGF was holding the Aces (in the opening bracket game) in a spot where she gave her team a chance to win; that team is tough, they have a ton of power and lethal speed and they can beat you with any combination of the the two, again, they’re tough.
She also got it done at the plate and contributed on offense. SDSU fans should be thrilled to welcome this “stud” on campus as she is an immediate game changer with a ton of tools that set her up well for a successful collegiate career.
Raegan Breedlove – Universal – 2020 Oregon Commit
Raegan Breedlove threw 39 of Universal’s 43 innings over four days at PGF; that’s a ton of work in the circle. What may have impressed me the most is how Breedlove just kept on working. While she was very strong, it wasn’t always easy. Yes, she struck out 11 batters versus both the Lil Rebels and the PA Chaos but she also gave up three earned runs to Firecrackers TJ, more to the Impact, and somewhere in between the rest of the contests fell. What that shows me is Breedlove can get it done in a number of different ways from dominating in strike outs to needing to rely on (and trusting) the defense behind her; that’s a skill and it’s something that can be hard for pitchers to “flow” with. She is steady, calm, and a machine who was fun to watch and will continue to be in her final year of prep softball through her collegiate career.
Alexis Bishop – Universal – 2020 Cal Commit
Steady as can be, Alexis Bishop anchored the Universal lineup. She collected at least one hit in six of Universal’s seven games and RBIs in all but two contests. She left Huntington Beach with seven RBIs, five walks, and a couple home runs.
Sophie Jacquez – Universal – 2020 Utah Commit
Countering her teammate above, Sophie Jacquez also played a key role in the offensive success of Universal putting up steady numbers as well. Jacquez collected at least one hit in six of Universal’s seven games, notched five RBIs, and scored a handful of runs for her team.
Alex Salter – Georgia Impact – 2020 Alabama Commit
Alex Salter dazzled through PGF and in the championship final went pitch-for-pitch with Allison Royalty; she held Athletics-Mercado to only three hits and struck out five during the national title game. She stepped it up big time for the Impact and battled. Including throwing most of the bracket championship games over the So Cal Athletics.
Devyn Netz – So Cal Athletics Richardson – 2020 Arizona Commit
Devyn Netz willed her team as far as she could through PGF. She threw 47 of the Athletics’ 49 innings, including 14 innings straight in the bracket championship games versus the Georgia Impact. She threw a ton of pitches including 134 versus the Georgia Impact and 147 versus the Tampa Mustangs, yet, she just kept going and was good from start to finish. Netz distributed the ball well between ground and fly balls while picking up a few strike outs along the way. She was incredible, that’s about the only way to put it.
Shelby Lowe – Thunderbolts – 2020 Auburn Commit
Another ace in the circle who threw a high inning count, Shelby Lowe, collected four wins and tossed 40.1 innings at PGF. She also fanned 42 batters in that stretch with her highest strike out count coming against Georgia Impact at 11. Lowe also withstood an impressive 11 inning marathon against the Texas Glory where she was masterful in the circle. She struck out seven, dabbled six hits, and issued only three walks en route to the shutout victory (1-0).
Rylie Costa – LTG – 2020 Minnesota Commit
Rylie Costa can rake and showcased those abilities well at PGF. Through LTG’s five games she picked up eight RBI with a couple walks and home runs along the way. The Lions found ways to “get it done” at PGF starting fast with wins over USA Athletics (8-6), Califorina Breeze (7-3), and Beverly Bandits Kelly (9-2) before losing back-to-back games to exit the tournament field (OC Batbusters 11-2 and Firecrackers Rico/Weil, 5-1). Errors hurt LTG but look forward to them in the coming seasons as this organization has a ton of talent and is growing quickly. Kali Gose (2020, Iowa State), Isabel Cargil (2019, Idaho State), and Samantha Oliver (2020, Nevada) were also a few of the other Lions who played well offensively.
