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We continue the National Club Player & Club Team of the Week series for the 2022 summer travel ball season which honors great individual and team accomplishments.
Today we honor those from events across the country from Monday, July 25 through Sunday, July 31, 2022.
Congratulations to all… and scroll to the bottom for details to submit info for future candidates.
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National Club Team of the Week: Birmingham Thunderbolts 18U – Rocky
* There were some great team performances last week at national championships across the nation, but the PGF 18U Premier title won 4-1 over an impressive Select team by the Birmingham Thunderbolts was special for several reasons… five of which come to mind quickly.
First, it wasn’t an accident as Rocky Thomson’s team was built to win and was loaded with 2022 and 2023 talent with players signed or committed to programs such as Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Arkansas, LSU, North Carolina, Kentucky and many more top college softball schools.
As he told us shortly after winning the title last Saturday in Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine, California:
“This team wanted this from the beginning and that’s what made it special,” said They made it their goal of winning the PGF championship–not just going to PGF, but winning it. We’ve had some great teams (in previous years) but this was the first group that said, ‘We are winning PGF!’”
Secondly, it came against top 18U teams such as the NW Bullets, Nebraska Gold, Lady Magic and Team NC on the journey to an undefeated run in bracket play.
Third, it highlighted how great the pitching for the Bolts has been. The staff didn’t give up more than one two runs in any game—in fact, in the bracket play leading up to the Saturday championship, the pitching staff deep with talent including Alea Johnson (2022, LSU) Charli Orsini (2022, Tennessee) and Makenna Raye Dark (2022, North Carolina), had pitched two shutouts and two other games giving up just one run. The championship game also saw a combo of three pitchers give up just six hits total and one run (click HERE to read the details of the title win).
Fourth, the hitting has been tremendous all summer, with the team hitting well from top to bottom of the lineup and it had impressive power, too, as shown by Alabama-bound duo Kenleigh Cahalan (2023) and Marlie Giles (2022) each hitting over-the-fence blasts in the champion ship game.
And fifth, the well-respected and well-liked head coach Rocky Thompson showed that he can take a team from start to finish and win a national championship; more than a few club coaches we talked to after the week admitted they were very happy for Rocky to win it if they couldn’t themselves.
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball
*** Scroll down to read about more top teams and players who are honored for their outstanding club play last week.
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Here are players and teams that have been recognized this year so far…
2022 Extra Inning Softball Club Players of the Week
- July 27: P/IF Alana Nieto (Illinois Sluggers 10U)
- July 20: CIF Kadyn Gabrels (Georgia Impact 14U – Taylor)
- July 13: IF Hannah Harvey (Impact Gold 18U – Rodriguez
- July 6: P Madison Knight (PA Chaos 18U – Spina)
- June 29: P Lilly Garcia (Firecrackers 18U – Wallace)
- June 22: SS Jessica Oakland (Cal Nuggets 18U)
2022 Extra Inning Softball Club Teams of the Week
- July 27: Impact Gold National 14U – Mendoza
- July 20: Stars National 18U – Coleman/Belfield
- July 13: Beverly Bandits 16U – Conroy
- July 6: Tennessee Mojo 14U – Gregory
- June 29: Hotshots National 16U – Jones
- June 22: Texas Riptide 14U – Campbell
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Here are players and teams that were honored last year, during the Summer of 2021…
2021 Extra Inning Softball Club Players of the Week
- August 12: OF Townsen Thomas (Texas Blaze United 16U)
- July 28: P/UT Lilly Parrish(Virginia Unity)
- July 21: SS Jessica Oakland (Cal Nuggets 18U)
- July 14: C Marisa Miller (AP Locke 18U)
- July 7: IF Madison Conley (Epic Premier 16U – Smith)
- June 29: P Samantha Landry (Hotshots Premier 18U – Dumezich)
- June 23: P/UT Jordyn Bahl (Nebraska Gold 18U – Singleton)
- June 16: P Jayden Heavener (Birmingham Thunderbolts – Burns)
2021 Extra Inning Softball Club Players of the Week
- August 12: Virginia Unity 14U – Johnson/Ross
- July 28: Wichita Mustangs 18U – Griggs
- July 21: Mojo 16U – Fisher
- July 14: Tampa Mustangs 14U – Seymour
- July 7: Nebraska Gold 18U – Singleton
- June 29: Tennessee Bolts 2023 14U – Sain
- June 23: Team PA Chaos 14U – Spina
- June 16: Georgia Impact – Lewis 18U
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How to Submit Information:
Each week during the summer, Extra Inning Softball will recognize a National Club Player & Team of the Week.
Those honored will typically be announced usually on Wednesdays. The cutoff for submitting the nominations for Player & Team of the Week will be Mondays at 9 pm EST/6 pm PST.
* Individually, we’re looking for standouts who excelled in the circle, at the plate or in the field so be sure to nominate your favorite performance(s) by submitting the following:
- Player Name
- Grad Year (example: Class of 2024 or Incoming Junior
- Position(s)
- Club team name with city/state
- Stats for the week (be as detailed as possible!)
- Up-to-date season stats if possible
- Recruiting information if applicable
- Any interesting background on the player
- Action and/or head shots
- If possible, contact info if we’d like more info or quotes
* Teams to be considered should include info such as record, key wins, standout performances and more for the week.