Event Recap (UPDATED Friday): 2022 PGF Nationals Week 2 Continues… Scores From Thursday as Winner’s Reach Sweet 16

It’s getting to be crunch time at PGF Nationals for Week 2 that covers the age divisions of 14U, 12U and 10U.

The 14U division started the day with 32 teams in the Winner’s Bracket and by the end of Thursday–thanks to some exciting games at 5 pm and 7:15 pm PST–it was narrowed down to 16.

There were some thrilling and high scoring games in that bracket–notably, Atlanta Vipers – Tamborra topped Lady Magic – Walling 10-9 and BCS Bengals – Nicols beat Select – Weibel 9-8–and we’re starting to see some favorites emerge.

Riptide on a Roll

The Texas Riptide won 6-0 over Cal Nuggets –led by Alisa Sneed, the top-ranked player in the 2025 Extra Elite 100, smacking a two-run home run.

Sam Campbell’s team looks balanced and deep and, after winning the first two bracket games with a combined total of 17-to-2 runs, looks like one of the top teams at 14U.

Six players spread out the seven hits while 2025 pitchers Ella Lozano and Amira Rodrguez went four and two innings respectively with each giving up just one hit and recording two strikeouts.

“I’m proud of this team,” said Coach Campbell after the win on Thursday. “The parents know that if I’m tough on the players, it’s because I love their kids and want them all to succeed, every one of them.”

And he likes the team’s chances moving forward, even though the remaining teams in the Winner’s Bracket are all talented and each could win it all.

“You certainly have to love the weather,” the coach continued, “but it’s the competition that also what’s great about being here. PGF is a tradition and we coaches love to be here as do the teams.”

Thriller in 12U Action as Explosion Pulls Out the Late Win

One of the most exciting games of the day had to be the 12U Winner’s Bracket match-up between Power Surge and Explosion that was 2-0 in the bottom of the 6th when Explosion put three runs on the board to pull out the come-from-behind win.

The youngest player on the Explosion, Olivia Chen, got it started when she hit a double down the left-field line followed by Kaylie Rangelb who hit a hard ground ball into the 5-6 hole and the sub runner was able to evade a tag by the shortstop to put two on the bases. Infielders Izzy Pond and Elizabeth Padilla followed with hits to put the Explosion in the position to win.

Pitcher Stella Williams closed out the win in the 7th and made a great snare of a ball that looked like would fall for a hit between the pitcher’s circle, third and shortstop.

Coach Greg Galindo commented:

“It’s something that we always tell the girls, that the game isn’t over until the last pitch, the last out, so we never let them give up–whether we’re down two or 20.”

“We’re well balanced,” added Head Coach Miguel Aleman. We can play defense, steal bases and hit the ball. They’re a very young group, a first year 12U team, so they have plenty to offer on the field.

Stingy Bandits Pitchers

The Beverly Bandits – Moran team is 2-0 heading into Friday’s big matchup with a good Atlanta Vipers – Tamborra squad… that game is also at 2:45 pm at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex and Head Coach Chad Moran has to be happy with his pitching and hitting.

Just check out the scores: 10-0 and 4-0.

On Thursday, 2025’s Lexie Hames and Addison Poe each gave up just one hit in the 4-0 win over the Cal Cruisers while Hames went four innings with six K’s and Poe went three innings to close out the win. On the other side of the ball, 2026 infielder Isabella Del Real and 2025 centerfielder Hannah Simko led the offensive attack with two hits each and 2025 infielder Adriana Callahan knocked in two runs.

Hannah also had an amazing diving catch in the outfield.

Firecrackers TJ/Franco’s Wild Win

One of the craziest games of the day had to be the 19-11 win by the Firecrackers TJ/Franco over the Dirtdogs in which the Firecrackers trailed big early but came back to tie the game at 10 all and then explode for nine more runs.

It was a huge offensive output by the Firecrackers who saw 2026 OF Kirra Hinojos go 4-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored; 2026 SS Aliyah Garcia hit 3-for-5 with four RBIs; 2026 catcher Ava Tapia also drive in four runs while going 2-for-6 and 2026 3B Sam Maldonado get four hits and drive in three in five at-bats.

Older readers might remember the old “Most Interesting Man in the World” commercials (if really bored, click HERE to check them out)… you’d be hard pressed to find anyone more interesting in softball—or at least at Week 2 of PGF Nationals—than Firecrackers head coach T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

He’s a straight shooter who won’t back down from anything and is animated and fun to engage in a conversation. Originally from Barstow, Calif., he dropped out of high school and didn’t graduate, but went on to qualify and be accepted at Cerritos JC where he ran track—his mom was a college sprinter.

He really hadn’t played football previously but made the JC school’s team and became ranked by my former company Student Sports as the top JC prospect in his class in large part because he was outstanding on special teams returning kicks and punts for multiple touchdowns.

T.J. was a 6-foot-2 wide receiver who went on to do well at Oregon State and then was a 7^th round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2001 NFL draft and he played subsequently with the Seahawks, Ravens and Raiders in a career that lasted through the 2011 season.

Today, softball-wise, he has more than one team in the Firecrackers organization though he doesn’t have a daughter on the 14U team that has advanced in the Winner’s Bracket.

Win or lose, T.J’s Firecrackers play hard because he motivates them too. Perhaps because of his football background, he’s sometimes razzed by opposing coaches and parents. Warning to those who think that’s OK—and I’ve witnessed it in person—don’t bite off more than you can chew… I’ll just leave it at that…

Big Friday Matchup to Watch

One of the top match-ups of the day saw Kip Taylor’s Georgia Impact 08 team defeat a good Unity team 5-1 as 2027 pitcher Braylee Spence went seven innings and allowed just one run with three strikeouts. The offense was sparked by 2027 catcher Janie Goldin who had two RBIs, 2026 Tavia Robinson who scored two runs and 2026 outfielders Shayla Bahr and Jacelyn Hogan making some great players in center and left fields, respectively.

Another 14U team that impressed Thursday evening was Jersey Intensity BOD which beat Mojo 3-1 as Avery Strutts had five strikeouts and gave up just three hits into the 7th before being replaced by closer Ang Sasso. The offense was lead by Sienna Bocchino and Dawson Blue who both went 2 for 3 at the plate along with Bella Maria who went 1 for 3 with two RBIs. Haley MacArthur made some phenomenal outfield plays to highlight a strong defensive effort.

These two teams will face off on Friday at 2:45 pm PST at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex, Field 4.  A great match-up of two national and well-respected travel ball programs.

— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball

*****

Here are all the scores from Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 action at PGF Nationals Week 2 (2022):

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