PGF 2019: 14Us Charge On
As the field dwindles and teams bow out of the 2019 PGF 14U Premier bracket we are breaking down where everyone stands; what to look for; and those teams and players who impressed during the opening round of play. Find our coverage of pool play standouts and initial bracket thoughts, here.
Log in here to keep reading! If you need a subscription, use promo code “PGF30” for a special discount to continue reading today!
Opening Round
Birmingham Thunderbolts vs. Delaware Cobras (8-1)
After being so impressed by Cobras’ pitcher, Layna Gerhard (2024), I had to get over to their first bracket game against perennial power, the Thunderbolts.
To my surprise Gerhard was not throwing and instead Carly Maxton got the nod. It was fun to watch Maxton, she’s another arm with a ton of potential on this Cobras’ roster. She had some great movement (including a curve and what looked like a rise) and a great off speed to compliment her arsenal. Maxton did a great job of holding this powerful line up at bay for four innings until the Bolts starting to make adjustments and chip away.
Offensively, Olivia Marinucci (2022), tied the game up at one all in the top of the fourth inning with a moonshot home run over the left field wall. Marinucci has a great bat and has been instrumental in the Cobras’ success thus far at PGF.
Madelyn Pritchard (2022) also showed her power sending a stinger to the left field wall. Unfortunately for the Cobras, they couldn’t get enough offensive going to keep pace with the Bolts but never the less there is a ton of talent on this roster.
For the Thunderbolts, Madison Inscoe (2022), shut things down in the circle and was just good. Inscoe showed good sustained velocity versus the Cobras highlighted by tons of nasty movement, a screw/curve combo, a rise, and a very effective off speed. Inscoe has a ton of tools to wreak havoc on opposing hitters and that’s what she did. The Cobras had a tough time making adjustments and squaring much up off of Inscoe. Keep an eye on this 2022.
Something that is synonymous with the “Thunderbolts” is “offensive power” and Flannery’s team is no different. Wow, can they swing it! Amari Brown (2022), Brionna Condon (2022 – South Carolina), and Emmah Rolfe (2022 – Auburn) all contributed home runs while the Bolts collected eight runs on eight hits versus the Cobras. That’s a pretty efficient offense!
Not to be outdone, the Bolts also played strong defensively with notables coming from Ashley Phillips’ (2022) play in the outfield and Brown at first.
—
OCBB Flores vs. Firecrackers Brashear Thorn (7-4)
As happens sometimes with the “draw” at PGF, first round games can happen that probably should be an opening matchup; this is one of them and it did not disappoint!
A nail-bitter with many “big time” moments on both sides, OCBB Flores jumped out to the early 2-0 lead in the first and looked to be well on their way to the victory early. But the Firecrackers settled in while making adjustments at the plate to keep this contest close. After the first inning, Sophia Ramuno (2022) found her zone and shut down the Batbusters offense while offensively Carys Murakami (2022), Bri Williams (2022), and Natalie Laws (2022) got things going in the top of the fifth. Jenna Peters (2022) and Emma Gaime (2022) both collected RBI in the fifth, tying the game late at 2-2. The Firecrackers produced throughout their entire lineup, there really wasn’t much of a weak spot which speaks volumes to the talent on this roster. Unfortunately, they just couldn’t garner enough offense to push them past OCBB Flores.
Laws (2022) was a standout in the field, playing brilliantly at shortstop. She is a taller, lanky, and super athletic stud who covers a ton of ground and is reliable in the field, calm, and oh so smooth. Laws is the definition of a “vacuum” you want leading your defense.
For the Batbusters, the battery of Presley Hosick (2022) and Oakley Bates (2022) is a talented pair. The pitcher-catcher duo work phenomenally together and there is a visible connection there that serves the team well. Hosick has a ton of potential, in the circle she showed off an impressive off speed and what looked like an absolutely filthy drop. She located very well and had some good velocity. However, what impressed me the most about her is how she kept her cool and just kept throwing. Her presence and maturity on the field is impossible to miss, she strikes me as an athlete that plays much bigger and older than her actual age. Especially at the 14U level these are skills that are often just being developed but Hosick seems to be well beyond that point. She was a machine, no matter the situation, good or bad, she kept toeing the rubber and did her thing. She’s also apparently a talented outfield and I did saw a lot of potential in her offensively; Hosick is one to keep close tabs on!
When it comes to Bates, this catcher has all the tools to succeed at a high level. She worked hard for her pitcher and showed fantastic pop behind the plate and showcased her arm throwing out a Firecracker runner at second. She also has the stick to back up her defensive game. Bates blasted a monster two run home run in the bottom of the fifth to hand the Batbusters back the 4-2 lead.
The Batbusters were strong defensively, led by shortstop, Ailana Agbayani (2022). Another young athlete with tons of tools to be success, she had a fantastic day at short. Agbayani covered a ton of ground and made really tough plays look rather easy. Not only that, she was able to make every route ball hit her way uneventful and that’s what you want in the shortstop. No ball is ever “a sure out” but with Agbayani in the 5-6 hole, her team should have a lot of confidence in her to get it done.
Britney Moreno (2022) was the another standout in the field. The third baseman locked down the hot corner and showcased a strong arm, completing an incredibly strong left side with Agbayani. The pair work great together and make life very challenging for opponents looking to hit through this duo.
The outfield play of the Batbusters is also something that needs to be noted. Breli Agbayani-Shibao (2022) showed her speed and instincts in center field on a looping blooper into “no man’s land’ in shallow right center. She wasn’t quite able to reign in the catch but she was right there with the full out diving attempt and the fact she even got close as impressive. Her efforts also saved a run as the runners had to hold, it wasn’t an easy play in the least. Agbayani-Shibao also has a fantastic arm.
—
Texas Bombers HTX vs. Corona Angels Tyson (3-2)
This may be the most egregious first round game in the 14U Premier bracket as both of these teams have a strong bid for the National Title. You could even hear it echoed from the college coaches that this should not have been a first round game. All the same, what a fun game that ended in walk-off fashion.
This game remained scoreless through three innings as Key-Annah Pu’A for the Angels and the Bombers’ Mimi Sandoval (2023) shut things down. Seriously, these two young athletes were fantastic. Pu’A threw 6.2 innings sprinkling seven hits with six strike outs and only one walk. Sandoval put up her own impressive line going the seven inning distance with three strike outs, no walks, and allowing one earned run on five hits.
Corona started the scoring in the fourth when Clarie Timm scored Jaden Moore on a sacrifice fly. Not to be outdone, the Bombers responded back in the bottom of the frame with a run of their own when Aiyana Coleman (2022) singled with two outs. Bailey Edwards (2022) would run for Coleman and come around to tie the game on a double from Katie Lott (2022).
The Angels found themselves with their backs against the wall in the top of the seventh, down one. Yet again, Clarie Timm would make her presence known and opened the inning with a ground ruled double that probably would have been a triple, if not an in the park home run, if the outfield fence extended all the way across the field of play. Luckily for the Angels, this wouldn’t ultimately matter as Timm was bunted over to third by Mikala Huskey and brought home on a sacrifice fly from the bat of Devin Elam.
Now, facing their own “do or die” moment, the Bombers stepped to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, all tied up. The first two batters went quietly but Abigail Flores (2022) was not going to be denied, doubling to keep the Bombers’ inning alive. Emma Landauer (2023) pinch ran for Flores as Kayden Henry (2023) played hero, tripling to bring around the walk-off winner.
Again, it’s honestly a shame this was a first round matchup. This game had all the talent, execution, and feel of a late round face off or even championship. The pitching was incredible, the teams’ offensives stepped up in big moments, and the defense was “on point”.
Worth noting, not only was Timm a force at the plate she was solid and sound in the hot corner. Huskey also carried her own at second base playing sound softball culminating with an ESPN worth diving grab on a tough dying ball up the middle.
The Angels are still alive in the losers bracket and have the coaching, talent, and tenacity to come back through it because, honestly, who wouldn’t want to see this rematch?
—-
Impact Gold National Saenz vs. Nor Cal Firecrackers Mettler (1-3)
The Impact had a rougher start to their time at PGF but bounced back nicely in bracket play to showcase the talent this team does have. For head coach Cesar Saenz’s squad, Lainie Schaefer (2023), managed the pitching duties and gave her team a chance to win holding the Firecrackers to three runs on six hits while issuing no walks. Schaefer not only anchored the team in the circle but with her leadership as well, she was very vocal and took charge across the board. From fielding her position phenomenally to starting cheers and handshakes in the circle, she stepped up nicely. Schaefer also had a strong PGF showing at the plate.
It was nice to see the Impact’s defense show up and play strongly behind Schaefer after a rough outing the day before. Abigail Garza (2024) played well at third, locking up the hot corner. Garza has a lot of talent and showed some offensive power as well including a grand slam versus So Cal Athletics Medina/Briggs.
Other notables include solid games both at the plate and in the field by Sydney Jackson (2024) and Victoria Chairez (2023). I also enjoyed watching Ava Rodriguez (2023) and Penelope Saenz (2024) compete. Rodriguez has a ton of pop in her bat and a pretty strong arm in the outfield. She is listed as a pitcher or corner infielder but she has some good instincts and talent in right.
For Nor Cal, they utilized two arms that complimented each other well en route to the victory: Brooklyn Heffernan (2022) and Hope Jenkins (2022). Heffernan got the start and showcased some really great movement, especially on the curve, that gave the Impact trouble all game. Jenkins came in to close and with her higher velocity had no problem getting the job done. Jenkins had some movement and an effective off speed and lived down and low in the zone, different from Heffernan who utilized the curve ran away from a majority of the Impact batters. This duo was highly effective together.
What may have impressed me most was the outfield play from the Nor Cal Firecrackers. Jayden Bayani (2022), Sammy Horn (2023), and their center fielder who’s number I was unable to see all played fantastically and covered tons of ground in the outfield. They were vacuums, making great plays in foul and fair territory to help their team advance through the first round of bracket play.
The Firecrackers have been getting it done in the circle and on defense while being able to push across enough runs to pull out victories. While they have not scored a ton here at PGF they have gotten production from their entire lineup in various big moments. Contributors include Hope Jenkins (2022), Jackie Alday (2022), Addie Mettler (2023), and Madeline Leung (2022). I got to see a monster double off the bat of Alday versus the Impact and she has a lot of pop and a great presence at the plate which is just fun to watch!
—
OK Impact Gold vs. LTG Lions (1-2)
I really liked this LTG team, though, they ran themselves out of too many innings and will need to shore that up if they want to continue a run at PGF. The instinctive aggressive nature on the base paths is great and now just needs to be honed and refined.
Right off the bat I noticed Lions pitcher, Ryiel Trujillo (2023). She didn’t start the game off on the foot I’m sure she wanted to as it appeared the zone was being a bit squeezed and her “bread and butter” was not being called for strikes. Instead of getting angry or frustrated Trujillo made an adjustment, kept her composure, and worked to find that umpire’s zone. It was impressive, that can be hard to do but she kept her head and got it done. From there, she settled in and shut down the Impact’s lineup. She went the full seven innings allowing one run (not earned), five hits, and fanned three batters.
At the plate, Zereniti Sousa (2023) performed well going 2-for-3 and showcasing a powerful bat with strong plate management. Kealani Nitta (2023) also showed a ton of potential and talent at the plate. She went 2-for-3 with a clutch RBI in the second inning.
Defensively it was hard to miss Lions’ standout, Sydney Barker. The lone 2024 on this roster, she is solid at shortstop. Barker is tall, moves well, covers a ton of ground, and a key piece to the Lions’ strong middle infield play.
For the Impact, I thought Kaylee Lovekamp (2022) performed well in the circle. She went 5.2 innings with two strike outs and allowed only one earned run. This game wasn’t necessarily the easiest or most consistent and Lovekamp really had to buckle down, stay tough, and focus. All things she did and, I feel, did very well. She showed a ton of fortitude and grit.
I also enjoyed the Impact’s Kalie Amos (2022) at shortstop. She was pretty solid, had great reactions, moved well, and covered a ton of ground in the middle infield. Amos went all out every play and didn’t give up on any ball including a ball deep in the 5-6 hole she was barely able to get to even when fully laid out. She was able to knock it down and that alone saved a run for her team. Amos gives tons of effort and that deserves many “kudos”.
Oh! And this was fun, the Lions turned a triple play late in the game. That isn’t something you see everyday! Ball was caught a third, thrown back to second base, and fired over to first to pick the final runner off. Pretty cool!
Where the Bracket Stands
OCBB Flores vs. Texas Bombers HTX
One of the fastest things we learned about the OCBB Flores team is that they can really hit! We saw them in pool play against Texas Glory Naudin and again in their first game of bracket competition and, wow, what an offense!
With the exception of their first game versus Firecrackers Brashear Thorn, Flores’ team has made PGF look relatively “easy” thus far picking up wins over GA Impact Jeffreys (5-0) and Athletics Mercado Greg (10-4). They are now set to face off with another incredibly talented team in Texas Bombers HTX today at 12:30pm PST.
The Bombers are one of the most well-balanced teams in the 14U field. They pitch well, hit through their entire lineup, and play solid defense. Oh! And they have some depth to boot.
This game should have a “championship feel” to it as both programs again have a viable chance of making fair in this bracket.
Beverly Bandits Richards vs. Birmingham Thunderbolts
Buckle up, two titans meet in a fourth round showdown that should really have it all. Both squads can hit, both have talented pitching, and both have the defense to suffocate any offense. Winner advances to the “B” bracket quarterfinal while the loser drops down in elimination play.
We are hoping for a Madison Inscoe (Thunderbolts, 2022) versus Dakota Staffan (2023, Missouri) duel in the circle. What better way to start what is sure to be an intense game.
TN Mojo – Fisher
Can anyone stop the Mojo? They have seemingly walked through PGF including a stunning 12-0 victory over a strong Hotshots Premier team. They also defeated Texas Glory 05, 10-1 and shutout the RI Thunder, 4-0.
Keagan Rothrock (2023 – Florida) has been brilliant versus the Hotshots she went the full seven innings surrendering no runs, fanning eight batters, and allowing only three walks. Against a such a powerful lineup that is unreal.
Taylor Pannell (2022, Auburn) continues to show why she is one of the best 2022’s in the country while Maci Bergeron (2022, LSU), Alexis Winters, Mia Williams (2023, Florida), Jaydyn Goodwin (2020, Georgia), and company continue to shine in all facets of the game.
Hotshots Premier
Though they have fallen into the losers’ bracket do not count out the Hotshots just yet. They are stacked offensively and have some solid depth in the circle where making a run is not far fetched. We watched them in pool play and you can read our thoughts, here.
Others to watch: Delaware Cobras, NW Bullets, Illinois Chill, RI Thunder, and the Ohio Hawks.
All of these teams are battling through the losers’ bracket early and all are putting up a good fight. The Cobras have found their offensive groove and have picked up two wins, eliminating the Mizuno Impulse and a strong Athletics Mercado 2023 team. Mercado’s 2023 squad took home the 2019 IDT title.
After a tough first round draw versus the Texas Bombers Gold, the NW Bullets are not going quietly. They defeated LLG Futures decisively 10-0 before eliminating a talented Texas Glory Naudin team. They now face off with FC Wallace, a team that should not be overlooked, which could set up an exciting contest with the Illinois Chill if they also advance.
The Chill dropping into the losers’ bracket so quickly did come as a surprise as they lost their opening bracket game to talented AZ Storm team, 7-2. Nonetheless, Chill isn’t done yet. They came back and defeated the Texas Blaze United (6-0) and the Georgia Impact (4-3). If they continue advancing today and could play four games if they are to survive until Saturday. Something I think they are capable of doing but it all comes down to how much depth do they have in the circle and how long can they continue throwing?
RI Thunder is another program representing the Northeast well in the PGF field. One of the toughest draws, the Thunder meet the TN Mojo (who is on an absolute tear) bright and early for the first game of bracket play. They were shutout, 4-0. Instead of phoning it in, the Thunder have regrouped and rattled off two hard fought victories over American Pastime (1-0), Tampa Mustangs (3-2), and an impressive blow out over Gainsville Gold (10-0). Depending on the depth they have, don’t sleep on the Thunder. They are clearly here to make a statement.
I am excited to see what the Ohio Hawks can do in the losers’ bracket after falling to the AZ Storm (6-3). They picked up an incredibly impressive win over the Texas Blaze, 12-4, before defeating Corona Angels FTS, 4-3. Those are statement victories and if they have the depth, it’d be exciting to see them make a push in the losers’ bracket.
—
