The 9th Annual DeMarini Invitational Showcase kicked off Wednesday night and today is the first full day of games.
Hosted by the Beverly Bandits and Illinois Chill organizations, the prestigious DeMarini Invitational is being held at Ackerman Park in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and features 40 top teams from 17 states including the two Bandits teams that won last year’s PGF Nationals at the 18U and 16U age divisions.
Click HERE to get a list of all the teams competing this weekend at the event held in the Chicago area and for the schedule of all pool play games.
For those who’d like to see these elite teams in action, the DeMarini Invitational Showcase games on Fields 1-4 will be streamed Friday through Sunday’s championship games in a partnership between Extra Inning Softball and Illuminate Sports.
Sign up before the games start and you can get the 70+ games being streamed for only $19.95; starting Friday through the conclusion of the showcase, the one-time fee will be $24.95. Click HERE to sign up.
You can check out the streamed games, teams and starting times in the spreadsheet below.
HERE IS A QUICK PRIMER ON SOME TEAMS & PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Beverly Bandits:
The Beverly Bandits field five teams from Illinois who should all be competitive including Bill Conroy’s Premier 18U team which won PGF Nationals last year and has had to replace current Notre Dame pitching standout Alexis Holloway, but is loaded with talent including Sydney Supple (Northwestern), an Extra Inning Softball 1st Team All-American as was infielder Nikki Cuchran (Northwestern). Others to watch on the team include outstanding infielder Skyler Shellmyer (Northwestern) and outfielder Kiki Milloy (Tennessee) along with catchers Hallie Hall (James Madison) and Shelby Grimm (Notre Dame).
Jenn Tyrrell is one of the top coaches at any level in club ball and her Bandits Premier 16U team should be in the mix as well with All-Americans like outfielder Lexi Voss (Michigan), infielder Ariel Carlson (Oregon), outfielder Hallie Wacaser (Florida State) and middle infielder Bailey Dowling (Alabama).
We’ve previously profiled several of the 14U teams in the Bandits organization that we had in our Elite 50 14U rankings in the Bandits Futures Harkness, Bandits Premier Allen (both from Illinois) and the Bandits DeMarini Helbling team from Indiana.
There’s also the Premier Carver 16U team and a pair of Ohio-based 16U teams to watch in DeMarini Dorsey and DeMarini Moran.
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Illinois Chill
Earlier this week we profiled the loaded Illinois Chill 16U team which finished 5th at Boulder IDT after placing in the Top 10 at PGF Nationals 14U last year.
Here are the other Chill teams to watch :
TEAM NAME: Illinois Chill Gold 18U
Head Coach: Gerry Quinn
Top Finishes 2018: Won PGF Qualifier June 9-11, will participate at PGF Premier Nationals
Top Players to Watch:
- Sloan Gayan (2019-P, Kentucky)
- Emily Schultz (2018-OF, Stanford)
- Maeve Nelson (2018-SS, Northwestern)
Team Strengths: “We can hit!”
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TEAM NAME: Illinois Chill Gold 16U (first year)
Head Coach: Ben Robles
Top Players to Watch:
- Abby Dunning (2021-P, Dartmouth)
- Faith Standerski (2020-OF/UT)
- Molly Chambers (2020-P)
Team Strengths: “Good pitching”
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TEAM NAME: Illinois Chill Gold 14U
Head Coach: Olivia Duehr
Top Finishes 2018: Invited to PGF Premier Nationals
Top Players to Watch:
- Britney Lewinski (2021-)
- Paige Berkmeyer (2021-C/SS)
- Reese Hunkins (2022-SS), Kate Linkletter (2021-3B)
- Jenna Golembiewski (2021-OF/C)
Team Strengths: “Good pitching, some very promising young players, 2022s and 2023s.”
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And here are some out-of-state (Illinois) teams to watch this weekend who are showing promise this summer:
TEAM NAME: PA Strikers Premier (Team Mizuno) 18U
Head Coach: Tony Marsalo
Top Finishes 2018: 1st Place Louisville Bracket, PGF Qualifier at Myrtle Beach
Top Players to Watch:
- 2019 Caitlin Coker (3B, Boston Univ.)
- 2019 Haley Updegraff (1B, Fairfield)
- 2018 Sarah Clinton (CF, Drexel)
Team Strengths: “We have speed on the bases and an aggressive style of base running, but we have also hit 35 HRs in 32 games so far this summer. Our ultimate strength is we have been building this team and program since these seniors on this team were 10U, we truly care about each other and have spent the past eight years together. We play each other, not ourselves.”
Hot Player Right Now: 2020 Cori Ritter (uncommitted) leads the team in hitting at .513 this summer with four HR’s and Haley Updegraff hit six HR’s at Boulder IDT.
What to Watch For: “The intensity and compete level these kids bring to the game! We have a huge chip on our shoulder from always being told East Coast softball is no good We have had to fight, scratch, claw and EARN our ways into tournaments like this DeMarini Invitational , Boulder IDT, Team NJ, and PGF and now that we are here we want people to remember this group of kids for a very long time.”
Coach’s Comments: “I love the talent and age diversity of the team, the leadership is awesome, basically team polices and manages itself, I am just along for the ride!”
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TEAM NAME: NJ Pride Easton 18U
Head Coach: Rob Stern (for 32 years)
Top Finishes 2018: Won the DWI Event last weekend; finished 5-3 at Boulder IDT and won seven games at Team NJ
Top Players to Watch:
- 2018 Katie Kudlacik (James Madison)
- 2018 Amy Petrovich (Sacred Heart)
- 2019 Gianna Sarlo (Boston College)
- 2019 Dani Dabroski (Fordham) NFCA 3rd Team All-American
Hot Player Right Now: “2021 Alexa Raphael is having an outstanding year and was an NFCA 1st Team All-American.”
What to Watch For: “I love this team because they compete and, as we have a full roster, they know they have to push each other.”
Coach’s Comment: “We’re excited about playing the best again as this tournament is one of the best events in the USA.”
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TEAM NAME: Finesse-Dreher 16U
Head Coach: Donny Dreher
Top Finishes 2018: recently finished tied for 9th at Fireworks Power Pool tournament, won the Labor Day DeMarini Tournament last fall
Top players to watch:
- Hannah Cady, 2020, C/SS (Northwestern)
- Lauren Esman, 2019, P/1B (Michigan)
- Kylie Millhorn, 2020, 3B/C (uncommitted)
- Lauren Sciborski, 2021, C/3B (Northwestern)
Team strengths: “We’re versatile and have depth at every position with a great mix of power and speed.”
Coach’s Comment: “This has been one of my favorite teams to coach because every player buys into the ‘Team’ concept. The chemistry with this team is at a very high level; they love playing with each other and it shows on the field.”
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TEAM NAME: Ohio Outlaws Premier-Schmeiser 14U
Head Coach: Tom Schmeiser
Top Finishes 2018/2017: this year: Outlaws Winter Invitational 14U Champions, PGF Qualifier, New Jersey 14U Champions; Outlaws Summer Invitational 14u runner-up; 2017: PGF Platinum Nationals 14U 17th place last summer
Top Players to Watch:
- Lydia Spalding (LHP, Penn State)
- Maddy Schmeiser (MIF, NC State)
- Amanda Schick (Catcher, Bowling Green)
- Maddie Wilcox (OF, uncommitted)
Team Strengths: “We have strong starting pitching with Lydia Spalding (Penn State) and Lexi Paulsen (Washington) as well as consistent hitting 1-9. We also have a nice mix of speed and power which gives us a balanced approach to getting runs on the board.”
Hot Player Right Now: “Offensively Maddie Wilcox hit over .450 at Boulder IDT and is consistently getting on and getting home for us. She’s been outstanding with her situational hitting for us and over the past couple of weeks has been money with runners on base.”
What to Watch For: “We like our chances with games under four runs. If pitching is holding them and the top of the line-up is getting on base, this team generally gets the job done. We have had consistent power bats from the 5-9 spots.”
Coach Comment: “Watch this team compete. We are loaded with competitors that are going to give you 110 percent effort for the entire game. We are really trying to make that our brand. Get dirty and leave it all on the field! We may not always walk away with an undefeated weekend at the highest levels, but if we get each player focused and ready to run through a wall for us for seven innings we are going to be in nearly every game. We are really working hard to make this a big part of our team culture and the girls have really bought in nicely so far.”
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Streaming Schedule for Friday-Sunday:
Pool | Day | Date | TIME | Field | 1st Base | 3rd Base |
B | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 8:00 AM | 1 | WA Ladyhakws Miller 18U | IL Chill GQ 16U |
B | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 8:00 AM | 2 | SD Renegades 18U | IL Bandits Premier Conroy 18U |
E | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 8:00 AM | 3 | MO St. Louis Chaos Beatty 14U | TX Glory 14U |
D | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 8:00 AM | 4 | IL Chill GQ 16U | IL Bandits Premier Allen 14U |
B | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 9:45 AM | 1 | IL Chill GQ 16U | IL Bandits Premier Conroy 18U |
D | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 9:45 AM | 2 | MI Finesse Kish 16U | NJ Intensity KOD National 14U |
E | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 9:45 AM | 3 | TX Glory 14U | IL Bandits Futures Harkness 14U |
D | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 9:45 AM | 4 | MN Lady Lightning MW 16U | IL Chill 16U |
D | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 11:30 AM | 1 | IL Bandits Premier Allen 14U | IN Bandits DeMarini Helbling 14U |
D | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 11:30 AM | 2 | NJ Intensity KOD National 14U | IL Chill 14U |
E | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 11:30 AM | 3 | IL Bandits Futures Harkness 14U | MI Finesse Nieto 14U |
B | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 11:30 AM | 4 | PA Strikers 18U | SD Renegades 18U |
D | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 1:15 PM | 1 | CA Explosion Smith 14U | IL Bandits Premier Allen 14U |
D | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 1:15 PM | 2 | IN Bandits DeMarini Helbling 14U | IL Chill 16U |
E | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 1:15 PM | 3 | TX Glory 14U | OH Outlaws Premier Schmieiser 14U |
B | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 1:15 PM | 4 | IL Chill GQ 16U | SD Renegades 18U |
D | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 3:00 PM | 1 | CA Explosion Smith 14U | MI Finesse Kish 16U |
C | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 3:00 PM | 2 | IN Magic Gold Rudd 16U | KY Southern Force 16U |
A | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 3:00 PM | 3 | NJ Pride 18U | CO Stars 18U |
E | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 3:00 PM | 4 | MI Finesse Nieto 14U | SD Renegades 14U |
C | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 4:45 PM | 1 | IL Bandits Premier Carver 16U | OH Bandits DeMarini Moran 16U |
C | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 4:45 PM | 2 | OH Bandits DeMarini Dorsey 16U | IN Magic Gold Rudd 16U |
A | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 4:45 PM | 3 | CA Grapettes 18U | IL Chill 18U |
E | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 4:45 PM | 4 | CA Grapettes 14U | TX Blaze NTX Premier 14U |
E | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 6:30 PM | 1 | OH Outlaws Premier Schmieiser 14U | SD Renegades 14U |
A | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 6:30 PM | 2 | IL Chill 18U | MO St. Louis Chaos Beatty 18U |
A | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 6:30 PM | 3 | CA Grapettes 18U | CO Stars 18U |
A | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 6:30 PM | 4 | NJ Intensity National 16U | NJ Pride 18U |
E | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 8:15 PM | 1 | CA Grapettes 14U | SD Renegades 14U |
C | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 8:15 PM | 2 | OH Bandits DeMarini Dorsey 16U | NE Gold 16U |
A | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 8:15 PM | 3 | IL New Lenox Lightning 18U | CO Stars 18U |
C | FRIDAY | 7/13/18 | 8:15 PM | 4 | FL Batbusters Conrad 16U | IL Bandits Premier Carver 16U |
A | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 8:00 AM | 1 | NJ Pride 18U | CA Grapettes 18u |
E | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 8:00 AM | 2 | OH Outlaws Premier Schmieiser 14U | CA Grapettes 14U |
E | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 8:00 AM | 3 | MO St. Louis Chaos Beatty 14U | MI Finesse Nieto 14U |
B | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 8:00 AM | 4 | SD Renegades 18U | NJ Intensity KOD 18U |
A | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 9:45 AM | 1 | NJ Pride 18U | MO St. Louis Chaos Beatty 18U |
C | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 9:45 AM | 2 | NJ Intensity 16U | OH Bandits DeMarini Dorsey 16U |
E | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 9:45 AM | 3 | MI Finesse Nieto 14U | TX Glory 14U |
C | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 9:45 AM | 4 | IN Magic Gold Rudd 16U | OH Bandits DeMarini Moran 16U |
C | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 11:30 AM | 1 | OH Bandits DeMarini Moran 16U | NE Gold 16U |
C | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 11:30 AM | 2 | FL Batbusters Conrad 16U | OH Bandits DeMarini Dorsey 16U |
Bracket | Day | Date | TIME | Field | 1st Base | 3rd Base |
121 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 1:15 PM | 1 | TBD | TBD |
122 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 1:15 PM | 2 | TBD | TBD |
123 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 1:15 PM | 3 | TBD | TBD |
124 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 1:15 PM | 4 | TBD | TBD |
129 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 3:00 PM | 1 | TBD | TBD |
130 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 3:00 PM | 2 | TBD | TBD |
131 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 3:00 PM | 3 | TBD | TBD |
132 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 3:00 PM | 4 | TBD | TBD |
133 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 4:45 PM | 1 | TBD | TBD |
134 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 4:45 PM | 2 | TBD | TBD |
135 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 4:45 PM | 3 | TBD | TBD |
136 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 4:45 PM | 4 | TBD | TBD |
139 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 6:30 PM | 1 | TBD | TBD |
140 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 6:30 PM | 2 | TBD | TBD |
141 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 6:30 PM | 3 | TBD | TBD |
142 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 6:30 PM | 4 | TBD | TBD |
145 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 8:15 PM | 1 | TBD | TBD |
146 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 8:15 PM | 2 | TBD | TBD |
147 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 8:15 PM | 3 | TBD | TBD |
148 | SATURDAY | 7/14/18 | 8:15 PM | 4 | TBD | TBD |
149 | SUNDAY | 7/15/18 | 8:00 AM | 1 | TBD | TBD |
150 | SUNDAY | 7/15/18 | 8:00 AM | 2 | TBD | TBD |
151 | SUNDAY | 7/15/18 | 8:00 AM | 3 | TBD | TBD |
152 | SUNDAY | 7/15/18 | 8:00 AM | 4 | TBD | TBD |
153 | SUNDAY | 7/15/18 | 9:45 AM | 1 | TBD | TBD |
154 | SUNDAY | 7/15/18 | 9:45 AM | 2 | TBD | TBD |
155 | SUNDAY | 7/15/18 | 9:45 AM | 3 | TBD | TBD |
156 | SUNDAY | 7/15/18 | 9:45 AM | 4 | TBD | TBD |
157 | SUNDAY | 7/15/18 | 11:30 AM | 1 | TBD | TBD |
158 | SUNDAY | 7/15/18 | 11:30 AM | 2 | TBD | TBD |
159 | SUNDAY | 7/15/18 | 1:15 PM | 1 | TBD | TBD |