And so it begins…
For the next two weeks, Southern California—more specifically Orange County—will be loaded with top fastpitch softball players, team and performances as the 2023 PGF National Championships kicked off with pool play at the 18U and 16U age levels.
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 Team of the Day
Matt Bryson has a strong looking 16U team in his All American Sports Academy squad from Northern California.
On Saturday, the first day of action in Week 1 of the PGF Nationals, AASA – Bryson took down two national powers in a 5-4 win over Birmingham Thunderbolts – Kaplan and then a 10-1 victory over Nebraska Gold Nationals – Anderson.
Yes, this is Day 1 of pool play, but it never hurts to start off on a good note in such a talented-packed event… which, in this case, saw more than 40 DI schools in attendance watching the games.
“I made it a great environment,” Bryson told Extra Inning Softball Saturday night. “It was definitely a highlight win of the summer,” the coach continued, “to beat a team so highly touted in the Bolts and then to back it up with a 10-1 win over a great program like Nebraska Gold.”
“It was a great way to start Nationals!”
The first-year 16U team had excellent defense backing up pitcher Alizae Cole, who scattered nine hits over five innings. Middle infielders Brooklyn Steele (2B) and Marisa Bryson (SS) turned a double play early on and Abril Parker had a big two-run single to spark the offense in the early game.
Other Day 1 Highlights:
5K’s in 3IP for day 1️⃣ of @PGFnetwork Nationals!🌴 Back at it today at 2:45 at Fountain Valley Field 2!! See 🫵🏼 there!🌊🥎☀️ #tgf #culture @TGASciara @topgunfastpitch @DrRandiDavis @BTurner_75 @ExtraInningSB @NewsMidwest @MaxPreps pic.twitter.com/yUWoNGLyeD
— Kelsie Donaldson (@KDLefty08_2026) July 23, 2023
Day 2 in Cali @PGFnetwork our 2025 Charleigh Esparza hits a Jaxxxxx 💣@charleigh2025 @tagupSoftball @ExtraInningSB @LegacyLegendsS1 pic.twitter.com/q29pybTeYe
— Strykers National Esparza 🚂 (@NationalEsparza) July 23, 2023
Some clips from day 1 at PGF’s! Love my team @TeamNCHinde!! @UNCSoftball @c_lyon22 @coachmegsmith @Maddie_Holub @LegacyLegendsS1 @ExtraInningSB pic.twitter.com/LVjNswyh5H
— Aubrey Wurst (@WurstAubrey) July 23, 2023
PGF 18U Premier day 1 we got walked off vs. Lady Dukes Lamar and beat Georgia Impact Sampson/Gusaeff 4-1, got this one @PGFnetwork @ExtraInningSB @Los_Stuff @CoastRecruits @StriveSoftball @TopPreps @IHartFastpitch @4_fastpitch @DfwSho @PG_Softball @LegacyLegendsS1 @SoftballDown pic.twitter.com/jFMc7S95AC
— Avery Motroni 2025 (@averymotroni14) July 23, 2023
𝑫𝒂𝒚 𝑶𝒏𝒆 @PGFnetwork
𝑵𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒕 12:30 𝒐𝒏 𝑭𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅 6 𝒂𝒕 𝑯𝑩𝑺𝑪! #2025𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅 @TeamNCHinde @ExtraInningSB @BrenttEads @LegacyLegendsS1 @SoftbalAmerica pic.twitter.com/PPTil4wSFE
— Anna Hinde (@anna_hinde) July 23, 2023
