2019 S&C USA ELITE SELECT SUMMER SHOWCASE – 18Us
This past weekend Sean Hall of the Midwest Speed and S&C Sport Services hosted the 2019 S&C USA Elite Select Summer Showcase in Lakeville, MN. The showcase consisted of teams in the 18U, 16U, and 14U age ranges with a “gold” and an “open” division for each age. Games were hosted at the beautiful Aronson Park as well as other fields located nearby in Farmington, MN. There are eight fields with plenty of parking – including roads leading to each field – and the grounds crew did a superb job of preparing and maintain the fields, even when rain hit. There was also a showcase clinic that took place Thursday and was an all day affair full of hands-on developed, instruction from college coaches, and games later in the day.
This tournament pulled a number of strong teams, especially from the South Dakota Renegades and Iowa Premier programs, in addition to over 50 collegiate coaches from all different levels of play. Another unique element of this tournament is that it is not a “Stay to Play” event; a fan favorite among the teams from out of town. The event was well run with a number of standout teams and athletes; however that isn’t a surprise, as anytime Coach Hall is running an event it tends to be a success!
Let’s take a look at some of the 18U teams and athletes that caught our eye this last weekend!
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South Dakota Renegades 2003 versus Minnesota A’s 18U
This was arguably one of the best games I was able to watch this past weekend! We recently featured this Renegades squad following their success at the Top Gun Invite and were excited to see them in person at the S&C Showcase; Coach Mike Mook’s team did not disappoint.
This SD Renegades team – made up largely of athletes from the Class of 2022 and playing up in 18U – had really play. They went 3-0 in pool play, facing some tough competition, and taking home second place in the 18U Gold Tier 1 Bracket.
Upon reaching the field to see the Renegades play for the first time, second baseman Gabie McConnell caught my attention immediately. This 2022 is a stud, there isn’t much else to it. Over the course of the weekend I witnessed her make spectacular play after spectacular play. The amount of ground and speed at which she covered it was extremely impressive. In the first defensive inning I was able to watch she snagged a shallow little foul in a tough spot behind first base near the out of play line on the field; it’s not ball others would have gotten to, especially since she wasn’t cheating towards first. The very next play McConnell collected a grounder that should have realistically been fielded by the first baseman but got on her really quick. Again, she somehow reached this ball but then was able to keep your body under control, reset her feet underneath her, throw on the move, and secure the out. Where the ball was hit and how much she had to extend to reach it put her in a pretty unathletic position but her ability to stop, collect, and change direction on a dime to finish the play was extremely skilled. The very next batter sent McConnell up in the middle into the danger zone of deep second, shallow center. Yet again, this is another ball most athletes shouldn’t even be close to grabbing and if it wasn’t for trapping on the ridge of the grass she would have. Even with the trip, she nearly reigned in the ball but it fell out of the glove as she fell to the ground: regardless the effort and pure athleticism was impressive and is sure to draw a lot of college attention.
As a whole the Renegades were one of the more energized, talkative teams I saw on the weekend. And there on-field “talk” was all productive, it was situational, and it was evident that everyone was on the same page with each other. Top to bottom they were talented, produced, played air tight defense, were able to take advantage of opponents miscues, and score with both power as well as finesse. That was one of the more impressive things to me, during the game versus the A’s, when I was watching at least, they were able to find gaps and holes to push runs and score. Some of the contact wasn’t always the prettiest but it was enough to find the gaps and sometimes that’s all that matters.
I saw both Tevan Bryant (2022) and Hannah Wagner (2021) throw for the Renegades. Both are talented arms who compliment each other well. Bryant even blasted a two-run shot versus the A’s helping lift them to the eventual victory. Summer Stoll (2021) impressed as well, this is another athlete I’ve been able to follow a bit and it’s been fun to watch her develop. She played well in right field, especially showing off her stellar arm to throw a runner at out the plate.
For the A’s, I really enjoyed watching this group play. I have been unable to find a roster so as soon as I obtain one I will get this updated with names but they were another vocal, energized team that really seemed to just enjoy being out there playing together.
The A’s pitcher had some strong movement and pitched pretty solidly against this talented Renegades squad but defensive miscues behind her hurt. I would like to see the final stats on this matchup but I believe if the A’s had been able to put together a stronger game defensively they realistically would have won this pool play matchup.
This lineup came with a lot of power, especially their first baseman who blasted a home run to dead center that went at least 250-260 feet. She narrowly missed also sending balls out in her next two at-bats; balls hit as high as they were deep, right up to the fence, one may have even been brought back but it was hard to tell from where I was watching. She was pure power and presence. I was also impressed by a number of hitters who actively made adjusts both during at-bats and in preparation for their next ABs.
Despite struggles on defense there was some impressive outfield play from the A’s including a beautiful diving, snow cone catch in left that would easily make any ESPN Top 10 reel.
Lastly, one of my favorite players of the weekend was the A’s second baseman, she radiated nothing but pure joy and support. She was always smiling, supporting her team, picking everyone up and calming them down, and really enjoying her time on the field. She was just all around awesome and fun to watch!
Midwest Speed 18U Gold Hall
I’ve had the pleasure of following Coach Sean Hall’s lengthy and successful career from afar both as a player and an observer. If there is one thing that holds true, if Coach Hall is at the helm you’re in for a matchup against a well coached, smart, hard-working team who can hit.
The Speed went undefeated (6-0) on the weekend, claiming the 18U Gold Tier 1 Bracket championship. They outscored their opponents 48 to 5 with their full power on display. In just the contests I watched Madison Pederson, Ava Dueck (including a grand slam), Olivia Hazelbaker, Holly Blaska, and Cylie Halvorsen all contributed home runs. The offensively ability on this team is top notch and scary explosive.
Minnesota’s Gatorade Player of the Year, Dueck, and South Dakota stud, Grace Glanzer, anchored the Speed in the circle, looking strong all weekend. In 25 innings of work the duo combined to struck out 29 batters while only allowing three earned runs. The one-two punch of Dueck and Glanzer will serve the Speed well as they move through the summer and play some of the nation’s top competition; it will be fun to see how these two arms fare.
This roster is full of committed talent with a ton of potential from both Minnesota and South Dakota. It should be fun to see how they finish out this summer.
Quakes Prime Mizuno 18U and Sioux Falls Steel
Two teams I didn’t get to see a lot of but wish I had were the Quakes and the Steel. The Steel went 3-0 in their pool and won their first game of bracket play before falling to the SD Renegades squad.
Mya Bunker and Macy Schroedermeier held it down in the circle splitting the duties and keeping their team in every single game with a shot to win. Not only can Schroedermeier (a South Dakota signee) pitch, she can also swing it collecting six hits on the weekend. Other impact players included Gracey Brink (Augustana signee), Makayla Muchow (uncommitted, 2020), Emma Osmundson (South Dakota State, 2020), and Shayla Running (University of Sioux Falls). Honestly, looking at the stats though the Steel got a ton of production from almost all of their lineup. They seem like a solid, tight knit group I hope I am able to see play soon.
The Quakes went 2-1 in their pool, falling to the Renegades. This roster had some strong talent with a number of athletes committed to play across various institutions at the next level. The Quakes came back to win their first bracket game but bowed out of the tournament following a 3-0 loss to the Midwest Speed 18U Gold team. In the circle, 2020 and South Dakota State commit, Tori Kniesche, was fun to watch and threw well in the short few innings I got to see her work. According to Maxpreps the junior has recorded a mere 0.81 ERA in her three season of high school ball. In her 18 innings of work this past weekend she fanned 28 batters allowing only four earned runs.
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