2023 PGF Nationals Spotlight… Day 4 at 18U & 16U Separates Contenders From Pretenders

For the next two weeks, Southern California—more specifically Orange County—will be loaded with top fastpitch softball players, team and performances exhibited at the 2023 PGF National Championships.

We are going to honor each day—the 18U and 16U age division this week and 14U, 12U and 10U next week—those who shine on the field.

Feel free to send us YOUR reports and we’ll include as many as possible!

Email: Brentt.Eads@ExtraInningSoftball.com and also tag us in social media too!

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PGF Nationals Recaps (Wednesday, July 26)

The PGF 18U and 16U Nationals are double elimination and by the end of Thursday there are some pretty good teams that are, suddenly, done.

For the uninitiated, there are two levels for each age group: Premier and Platinum. The latter group will play their championship games on Friday while the former—the highest level in the event—will see the 16U Premier title game played at 8:30 am PST on Saturday followed by the 18U Premier finale at noon PST.

Also that day will be played the PGF High School All-American Games, the Futures at 3 pm PST and the Senior contest at 7 pm PST.

All the games will be played at Deanna Manning Stadium in Bill Barber Park which is located in Irvine, Calif.

But to get to the weekend, you have to win Wednesday through Friday first, and the level of play on Wednesday was unbelievable.

Here are the eight teams left in the 18U winner’s bracket and the four left at 16U Premier with their next games set for tomorrow (Thursday, July 27, all times 12:30 PST):

18U

Bracket A

• NW Vandals – Vasas/Scott vs. Wildcats – Weil
• Tennessee Mojo – Danley/Fisher vs. Georgia Impact – Sampson/Gusaeff
• Hotshots – Nelson vs. Beverly Bandits – Conroy
• Atlanta Vipers – Tamborra vs. Breakers Labs – Carter

Bracket B

• Select Fastpitch – Jones vs. Rock Gold – Manetta
• Bombers Gold – Lewis vs. Washington Ladyhawks – Miller
• Cal Nuggets – Woods vs. Beverly Bandits – Dorsey
• Lady Dukes – Lamar vs. Texas Sudden Impact – Leach

16U

Bracket A

• I-5 Softball – Snyder/Fitz vs. Texas Sudden Impact – Jones
• Texas Blaze United – Robertson vs. Sorcerers – Gann

Bracket B

• Tampa Mustangs – Seymour vs. Virginia Unity – Johnson/Ross
• Select Fastpitch – Salazar/McCoy vs. Arizona Storm – Appel

There are some powerhouse names in the above list and some perhaps not as well-known and, certainly, some teams can make a run from the Loser’s brackets as well.

It won’t be easy, however; we spoke with one coach at 18U after his team lost Wednesday and to make it to Friday’s action, they will have to win FOUR games on Thursday starting 8 am (gulp).

Player of the Day Spotlight:

If there’s one player who has to be recognized, it’s Abby Lovell, a lefty 2025 pitcher for the Georgia Impact – Holcombe team.

This week, in 21 and 1/3^rd innings pitched, she has 33 K’s while giving up just eight hits and has a 0.00 ERA.

She pitched a huge game earlier Wednesday in which the Impact beat Velocity 1-0 in eight innings in ITB as Abby gave up just three hits for the complete game victory.

But here’s the crazy part: the Impact team was no-hit and still won! How? In the bottom of the 8^th, with a runner starting on second, a wild pitch and a sac fly pushed across the winning run.

The hard-luck loser was Berritt Herr, a tall right-hander who, let’s say it again: gave up no hits over eight innings and still lost.

How They Got There

Here’s a closer look at just a few of the big games played Wednesday by those moving on…

 * The Atlanta Vipers 18U team coached by Stacy Tamborra won two games on Wednesday to stay in the Winner’s Bracket.

In a 6-0 win over Team NC – Hinde, the team was led by elite defensive plays by Alexis Woods (2B), Desiree Trudel (3B) and Bella Faw (SS) with offensive stars including Kennedy Arial (’23 outfielder headed to Clemson) who was 2-for-3, Madi Heine, a ’25 catcher who doubled, Desiree Trudel (2025, 3B) and Faw (a 2023, SS going to Tennessee) who both homered.

Pitcher Sara Phillips gave up just one hit in six innings while striking out five… she’s a 2024 Maryland commit.

* In 18U Bracket A action, the Tennessee Mojo – Fisher/Danley team topped the So Cal Choppers 4-1 thanks to the pitching of Ashtyn Danley, a Florida State commit, who pitched a complete game giving up just three hits, no earned runs and striking out six.

She also got it done at the plate going 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles. Fellow future Seminole Angelee Bueno smacked a two-run home and Oklahoma State-bound Rose Davis also homered.

* Also in 18U Bracket A, Nate Nelson’s Hotshots 18U team saw the offensive catch fire in a 14-5 win as Kennedy Marceaux (3b), who will play at Alabama, had three hits and scored three runs.

Future Oklahoma Sooner Kasidi Pickering smashed a three-run homer and Florida Gator commit Cassidy McLellan went 2-for-4 and scored three runs herself.

* 2025 pitcher Mallie West threw a 7-inning complete game and only allowed one hit in a tight 1-0 win for Hotshots – Jones 18U which defeated Select Fastpitch in a nail-bitter 1-0.

* At the 16U level, Cory Robertson’s Texas Blaze team stayed undefeated by knocking off a talented Texas Riptide team 7-3.

Pitchers Chloe Ellis (2025) and Tiv Martinez (2024, Northern Colorado commit) combined to strike out seven in the win and Madilynn George (2025 1B) had two RBIs and Texas A&M commit Larissa Perez (2024) went 2-for-4 with two runs knocked in.

Ellie showed her offensive skills too as she hit a solo home run to help her cause.

* Finally, even the Loser’s Brackets are tough… as one top coach for a 18U team said:

“Bracket B is a GAUNTLET!  Even the losers’ bracket is tough and some of the best teams are in it.”

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