Many of the top teams in the country were at the Triple Crown Nationals this week in Chino Hills, CA. Here are some of Sunday’s highlights (All rankings Extra Elite Eighty Club Rankings):
BATBUSTERS-STITH KNOCKS OFF ATHLETICS MERCADO-SMITH IN 18U FINAL
#8 OC Batbusters-Stith reached the finals at Boulder IDT recently and they upset #1 Athletics Mercado-Smith, 7-5, in the 18U final of the Triple Crown Nationals on Sunday at Chino Hills Community Park.
Batbusters-Stith went 8-0 in the tournament and beat #49 Batbusters Gomes, 15-5, #4 Tampa Mustangs-TJ 11-3, #20 Warrior Academy-McDonald, 3-2, and Athletics Mercado-Smith, 7-5, in bracket play.
Athletics Mercado-Smith went 7-1 in the tournament and they beat #36 Firecrackers-TJ, 2-0, #21 Aces Fastpitch Club, 6-1, #11 Lady Magic-Munoz, 11-5, and lost to Batbusters-Stith, 7-5, in bracket play.
“Neither team showing their full hand, but playing an exciting game to cap off a strong weekend for the Triple Crown Nationals,” Batbusters coach Mike Stith said. “Game was decided in the end with the help of (2024 OF) Taylor Shumaker making some great plays from CF and at the plate, leading the way for the Batbusters. (Utah State-bound P) Sydney Saldana held on to keep the Athletics in check for 5 innings and then gave way to (2024 P/3B/SS) Hailey Shuler and then (BYU-bound MIF/OF) Ailana Agbayani to close it out. Real good contest between two strong teams and, fortunately for us, we were able to make some key plays to get a win.”
Batbusters-Stith was led by Oklahoma-bound C Jocelyn Erickson, who was named the tournament MVP. She batted .542 AVG with 6 walks, 13 hits and 11 RBIs.
UCLA-bound C/1B Alexis Ramirez (.538 AVG, 1 HR, 14 hits, 4 doubles, 14 RBIs), Utah-bound 2B/3B Karlie Davison (.409 AVG, 9 hits, 1 triples, 2 doubles, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs), BYU-bound MIF/OF Ailana Agbayani (.393 AVG, 2 doubles, 11 hits, 3 saves), Arizona-committed 2023 P/OF Ryan Maddox (3 wins, 1 save) and 2024 OF Taylor Shumaker (.462 AVG, 12 hits, 5 doubles, 3 HRs, 13 RBIs) all made the All-Tournament Team for Batbusters-Stith.
WARRIOR ACADEMY DEFEATS BSC BENGALS-BRIGGS IN 16U FINAL
Warrior Academy-Jimenez took care of BSC Bengals-Briggs, 5-4, in the 16U final to capture the Triple Crown Nationals title on Sunday at Chino Hills Community Park.
Warrior Academy-Jimenez went 7-0 in the tournament and beat Lil Rebels RC/Marshall, 11-1, Wildcats-Del Campo/Weil, 9-0, and BSC Bengals-Briggs, 5-4, in bracket play.
2023 P/1B Paige McLeod pitched a complete game to get the win and 2024 1B Kaimi Tulua homered in the championship game to lead Warrior Academy.
Tulua (.632 AVG, 1 HR, 7 RBIs), 2024 MIF/OF Mia Phillips (.571 AVG, 1 HR, 8 RBIs), 2024 OF Mia Rodriguez (.529 AVG) and 2024 OF Julianna “Juju” Martinez (.500 AVG) were standouts for Warrior Academy for the tournament.
ATHLETICS MERCADO-TIDD, ATHLETICS MERCADO-BERNI SHARE 14U TITLE
#3 Athletics Mercado 2025-Tidd and #41 Athletics Mercado 2026-Berni reached the Triple Crown Nationals 14U final and finished as 14U co-champions after both teams from the same organization decided not to play the final and share the championship.
Athletics Mercado-Tidd went undefeated in the tournament and beat #34 OC Batbusters-Lastrapes/Sasaki, 2-0, #14 OC Batbusters-K. Stith, 6-2, and shared the 14U title with Athletics Mercado-Berni in bracket play.
Athletics Mercado-Tidd’s 2026 P/MIF/OF Mia Valbuena was named the tournament MVP after recording a 0.68 ERA and allowing two earned runs in 20.0 innings.
The offense was led by 2025 OF Taelynn Holley (.480 AVG, 2 HRs, 8 runs), 2026 MIF/OF Ki’ele Ho-Ching (.525 AVG, 8 RBIs, 8 runs), 2026 SS/C/UT Taylor Johns (.480 AVG, 6 RBIs, 4 doubles), 2025 IF Kenzie Farrier (.538 AVG, 3 RBIs, 5 runs), 2025 MIF Thimir Bracamontes (.450 AVG, 5 RBIs, 8 runs) and 2026 OF Victoria Guzman (.400 AVG, 4 RBIs, 8 runs).
Athletics Mercado-Berni defeated #4 Corona Angels-Tyson, 2-1, #19 Rogue FC-Mabrey, 2-0, and finished as co-champions with Athletics Mercado-Tidd in bracket play.
Athletics Mercado-Berni got excellent pitching from 2927 P Ari Romero (1.89 ERA, 26.0 IP. 1.60 WHIP, 18 Ks) and 2027 P Jadyn Shin (2.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 22.0 IP, 13 Ks). Their offense was led by 2026 CF Sophie Razo (.533 AVG, .556 OBP, 1.222 OPS, 6 RBIs, 7 runs), 2026 1B Charli Casas (.526 AVG, .609 OBP, 1.661 OPS, 1.052 SLG, 3 HRs, 13 RBIs, 8 runs), 2025 RF Makayla Boone (.375 AVG, .412 OBP, .787 OPS, 5 RBIs) and 2026 2B/OF Brooklyn Berni (.351 AVG, .435 OBP, .785 OPS, 5 runs).
*****
TRIPLE CROWN NATIONALS
SUNDAY, JULY 17, RESULTS
AT CHINO HILLS COMMUNITY PARK, CHINO HILLS, CA
18U DIVISION
SEMIFINALS
- Athletics Mercado-Smith 11, Lady Magic-Munoz 5
- OC Batbusters-Stith 3, Warrior Academy-McDonald 2
CHAMPIONSHIP
- OC Batbusters-Stith 7, Athletics Mercado-Smith 5
16U DIVISION
SEMIFINALS
- Warrior Academy-Jimenez 9, Wildcats-Del Campo/Weil 0
- BSC Bengals-Briggs 3, Corona Angels-Howard 0
CHAMPIONSHIP
- Warrior Academy-Jimenez 5, BSC Bengals-Briggs 4
14U DIVISION
SEMIFINALS
- Athletics Mercado 2026-Berni 2, Rogue FC-Mabrey 0
- Athletics Mercado 2025-Tidd 6, OC Batbusters-K. Stith 2
CHAMPIONSHIP
- Athletics Mercado 2025-Tidd and Athletics Mercado 2026-Berni co-champions (Both decided not to play the final)
— Carlos Arias, Extra Inning Softball (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
