RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Taegan Lermann was the youngest member of the championship-winning 2023 USA U-15 Women’s National Team and has shared with Extra Inning Softball her experiences overseas, including trips to Lima, Peru (posted today) as well as Takasaki City, Japan (to be published Wednesday).
When not representing the Red, White & Blue, the Class of 2027 pitcher and utility player from Washington, Texas, competes for Nate Nelson’s Hotshots 16U National squad.
In April of 2023, Taegan was recognized as a Top 10 prospect in the 2027 Extra Elite 100.
Here’s the first of her two-part recap of these amazing trips across the globe…
*****
Peru – 2023 Women’s Pan American Games
The USA U-15 team was unstoppable in Peru at the 2023 Women’s Pan American Championship held April 1-8, 2023, culminating in an 8-0 record… click HERE for the championship recap including a two-run double by our talented blogger!
Day 1
We arrived in Atlanta and met the team in the airport. It was awesome seeing all the girls for the first time because we had communicated through zoom meetings up till now. We took some photos, boarded the plane, and off to Lima! Our hotel is beautiful. When we got here it was early in the morning, so we unpacked, I met my roommate Torynn (Slaughter)and the coaches (it was pretty cool!) then went down for breakfast. I had OJ, pineapple, watermelon, cinnamon bread, and two mini waffles, it was amazing!
From about 9 am to 3 pm we rested before our practice. Practice was good and I interacted a lot. It was short and sweet. After practice we headed back to the hotel where I got ready and headed for dinner. When I got back, I showered and went off to get my leg cupped and stretched with Coach Sam (our amazing trainer!). Team USA Day 1 was a lot of fun!
Day 2
I got my leg taped up this morning by Coach Sam. Then we loaded the bus and headed to our scrimmage. I pitched the first two innings, five batters each. I had three strikeouts, no walks, and two hits. I had no plays at third, but I got one bunt when I was pitching. I hit once, which was a pop up to left field which they dropped.
Afterwards, we headed back to the hotel and changed. A lot of the team, parents, and I walked down to a beautiful mall on the Pacific Ocean for dinner. Lima is really pretty, and the people are so nice. Back to the hotel, get some sleep, practice in the morning!
Day 3
Today we have practice and then the opening ceremony. Practice was good! I threw bullpen and I was hitting 60s, my hitting was good, base running was on point. It is so much fun playing with this team. We all push each other and have a lot of fun.
We returned to the hotel, had lunch, then I had to rush to get ready for opening ceremony. When we got there, all the teams were lined up cheering, singing, dance circles, it was crazy. The ceremony was interesting, and at the end they had people perform a local dance on the field, it was so cool!
When we got back to the hotel we went straight to dinner. Then we headed back to the hotel and sat on the rooftop with music, cool breeze, and chats with the team. This is the first night I kind of get to sleep in, so I’m going to head to bed.
Day 4
Today is Sunday and Game Day! I had breakfast with my parents, then went to get ready. When we were on the bus, we were jamming out since it’s our first game. When we got there, we played lots of games and I got to pitch my bullpen. Then we warmed up and got rolling: we won 10-0 over Peru.
They had a packed stadium as the home team, so the energy was really high and our team was on fire! After the game, a lot of people wanted autographs, so we got to sign a lot of stuff, it was so cool! Then we went back and had dinner at the hotel. After dinner, we headed back to our rooms and had a little chitchat party, got our laundry, and I got treatment. Now I’m in bed because tomorrow I have to pitch!
Day 5
Game Day #2. Today is our second game and I am a little nervous as I am on the rubber. I had breakfast, got ready, and headed to the field. We warmed up and got rolling.
I pitched a three innings no-hitter and helped the team to an 8-0 win over Columbia. Our team can hit! These girls’ bats are on fire! After the game we signed autographs, took pictures, and headed back to the hotel for dinner. Time for bed as we have the early game tomorrow.
Day 6
A 5 am wake up. It’s early and we are all up and ready to go. Too much excitement as we head to the field for a game vs Team WBSC. Our team got hot, and we won 25-0. Once Stevie (South) started hitting it was like a chain reaction and all the bats were on fire.
Afterward, we headed back to the hotel and much of the team went sightseeing with their families. Walking around Miraflores is so pretty. We went to the Cat Park and, yes, it’s a park with a ton of cats! It was so cute seeing them run around.
We also walked the 356 stairs from the beach to the city streets. It was tough! When we all got back to the hotel, we hung out and worked on our team softball. We are designing a USA softball as an art piece for these games. It’s special, since this is the first U-15 Pan American Games and all the teams are making one.
After that, Torynn and I watched a horror movie then bedtime.
Day 7
Last day of pool play. The team is fired up this afternoon as we want to go undefeated in pool. We had a great warmup and then won 15-0 over Brazil. Our team’s pitching and hitting is unreal. We have so much fun!
The coaches were super happy and awarded us with cupcakes after the game; I got red velvet. This is a Team USA tradition when you win your pool. Tomorrow, we have two games and an early start again (5 am).
Day 8
There’s only two days left of the tournament… it’s gone by too fast! I woke up around 5 am and got ready as today is the first day of bracket play. When we arrived at the fields, we warmed up and started the first game against Puerto Rico. We won 15-0. This was a great game vs a strong team, but our pitching and bats were on fire.
The second game was against Venezuela where we won 17-0. Venezuela has some good players especially in the middle infield and at corner. Again, we had our team running strong. The energy, the hype, we all were going crazy, and it showed at the plate. Great day at the fields!
Day 9
Second round. Today we play Mexico and hhey are the strongest team in Group B. We headed to the fields for warm up and discussed the game plan. Our team came out strong and we won 14-0!
Mexico is a great team, but our team went off with great pitching, good plays on the field, and our bats once again impressed. Great game! We signed more autographs and headed back to the hotel.
Tomorrow, we play the Gold Medal game vs Mexico. But first, the team and I want to watch a horror movie before bed. Good night!
Day 10
Gold Medal Game. Today was awesome! The energy on the team and with the coaches is high. From the bus ride to the warmup, we are all ready to go.
The game started slow but by the second inning the bats came alive. We won 9-0! We Immediately jumped up, jammed to songs, danced, and got lots of photos and autographs. There was a ceremony and we got a medal each per person, a doll per person and a big trophy. We also had gold confetti shot out at us.
The team got to be on this cool stand in the middle of the field during all of this. When all the awards were over everybody poured on the fields getting pictures, autographs, and trading different things. When we got on the bus we JAMMED OUT!
We also all got a book with all the teams in it and got a softball of all the USA girls’ names on it. When we got to the hotel, we had a feast waiting for us: there was a lot of pizza, wings, and cheese to dip in guacamole. We also got lemonade, water, and there were three USA cakes. one with a “U”, one with an “S,” and with an “A.” It was a party and a perfect way to end the games!
It was such an amazing experience with this team. Once again, we watched a horror movie before bed and have to get up at 4 am for the airport and trip home.
Day 11
Peru was so much fun and learning from these coaches and playing with this team, has been an amazing time!
Peru is a very beautiful place with great food and culture and, as we all arrived in Atlanta, it was sad seeing everyone head to their different flights home, but we all are excited to have such great memories to cherish.
Thank you, Coach Kyla, Mac, and Scott, for the opportunities.
Finally, thank you, Team USA! What a tournament!
— Taegan Lermann
