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Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 …
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ATHLETICS-MERCADO/SMITH BRING HOME PGF AZ WINTER INVITE TITLE
Athletics-Mercado/Smith was the last team to win the PGF 18U Premier national championship in 2019. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southern California-based Athletics have had very few opportunities to play any games, let alone against the top teams in the country.
But when the Athletics have gotten their chances — such as at last summer’s Top Club Nationals in OKC — they have thrived and they continued to show their dominance by going 9-0 and winning the 16U/18U PGF Arizona Winter Invitational this past weekend in Gilbert, AZ.
“All five pitchers (2024 RHP Cambria Salmon, Minnesota-bound RHP Emily Leavitt, Oregon State-bound RHP Sarah Haendiges, Oregon-bound RHP Stevie Hansen and Iowa-bound RHP Devyn Greer) threw great,” Athletics coach Mark Smith said. “The offensive leaders were UCLA-committed (2022 SS) Jordan Woolery, Cal State Fullerton-committed (2022 2B/OF) Kaitlyn Christie and Boise State-bound (IF/OF) Mackenzie Hanna.”
The Athletics had an impressive run to the title, beating Lady Lightning Gold Elite-Jones, 18-3, Firecrackers Brashear, 6-0, and Hotshots Premier 16U-Nelson, 8-6, in pool play.
In bracket play, the A’s knocked off AZ Lil Saints, 15-0, Arizona Storm-Beach, 11-0, Athletics Mercado 16U-Greg/Tidd, 9-0, So Cal Choppers-Fausett, 12-3, and Oro Valley Suncats-Judge, 10-0, to set up a rematch with Hotshots Premier-Nelson, the reigning USA Softball 16U GOLD Nationals champion, in the finals.
Oklahoma-bound Quincee Lilio went 2 for 2 with an RBI double in the fifth that gave the A’s the lead and Tennessee-bound Mckenna Gibson’s home run in the sixth proved to be the game-winner in a 3-2 win over the Hotshots in the championship game.”
MORE PGF ARIZONA WINTER INVITATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Had a great time in Phoenix, AZ this weekend playing with my team. Finished 3rd out of 64 teams. Looking forward to getting back together again this summer. @deanAU_TigersSB pic.twitter.com/3C6vUQJnd7
— Emmah Rolfe (@emmah_rolfe) January 11, 2021
*** Georgia Impact Premier-Lewis was short-handed without Florida-bound RHP Lexie Delbrey and 2022 RHP Taylor Tinsley, but Patrick Lewis’ squad still went 6-2 and reached the semifinals before losing to Hotshots Premier-Nelson, 8-1.
In a game-within-the-game story, Florida-committed 2023 IF Mia Williams of Georgia Impact went up against her former team, Tennessee Mojo 04-Fisher. Williams hit homers off Auburn-committed 2022 RHP Madison Inscoe and Florida-committed 2023 RHP Keagan Rothrock to help Georgia beat the Mojo, 11-6, in pool play.
*** Arizona Storm-Mathis had a strong tournament, going 6-1 and finishing tied for fifth place. The Storm’s lone loss came against Georgia Impact Premier-Lewis, 11-1, in the quarterfinals.
“Here is my take on the weekend….STACKED!!” Storm coach Corey Mathis said. “Love playing the teams we faced and great games all around us.”
Riley Valentine, an uncommitted 2022 C, was a big standout for the Storm.
“Riley Valentine brought it!!” Mathis said. “She played stellar behind the plate and batted around .450. She went 2 for 2 against Georgia Impact and frankly wanted to show a team like that that she can beat you and she did!”
Mathis is excited about his team’s prospects this summer.
“I think we, as a team, are playing at the level when we won Colorado and took third at PGF,” Mathis said. “Our chemistry is really good!! We are still so young, only graduating two commits in our everyday lineup.”
*** Morgan Farthing, an uncommitted 2022 UT for PA Strikers National-Hayes, was one of the hottest hitters in the country this fall and she continued by hitting over .500 for the tournament. It was the sixth consecutive tournament she has batted over .500. Recruiters might want to take a look at this 6-footer.
*** Texas Tech-commit Dee McClarity showed off some nifty backhand work at 1B to help Hotshots Premier-Nelson take second place at the PGF Arizona Winter Invitational.
Hotshots Nelson finished 2nd out of 64 teams in the Arizona Winter Invite. Put together some defensive highlights. All the backhand work I’ve been putting in came in handy 😉 pic.twitter.com/7GEZ2f5W7f
— Dee McClarity (@DeeMcClarity_8) January 12, 2021
*** Olivia Duncan, a 2023 LHP, and her Lady Dukes-Lamar teammates made a strong run at the PGF Arizona Winter Invitational.
Really enjoyed being back with my team at the @PGFnetwork Winter Invitational this weekend. Finished top 8 out of 64 of the best teams in the country. Can’t wait to see what our team will do this spring! @LadyDukesLamar @Los_Stuff #LeftyPitcher pic.twitter.com/L2sjzkTH2J
— Olivia Duncan (@OliviaLDuncan) January 12, 2021
*** Grace Reed, a 2023 SS/3B, had a busy weekend for Newtown Rock Gold-Garvey.
Little bit of everything this weekend at the Arizona Winter Invite. Covered all the bases, literally! Excellent competition. @PGFnetwork @GoldGarvey @ExtraInningSB pic.twitter.com/pMgC50JX4q
— Grace Reed (@gracereed2023) January 11, 2021
*** Jolynar Lamar, a 2025 MIF for Lady Dukes 16U-Young/Lamar, showed off her speed and offensive skills.
https://twitter.com/JolynaLamar/status/1348809524778561536
*** Mya Perez, a 2023 1B, was a gapper machine for Athletics Mercado-Greg/Tidd this past weekend.
Had a great time this last weekend at The Arizona Winter Invite! Always grateful for these opportunities to play❤ @Trisha_Ford @jeffharger @CaitlinLowe @MelyssaLombardi @Coach_Jo_Evans @Coach_SniderSB @Jkolaitis3 @JustinShults33 @meganlangenfeld @djgasso @lauraberg44 @Los_Stuff pic.twitter.com/oNUSYkMESw
— Mya Perez (@MyaPerez2023) January 12, 2021
Great weekend is an understatement.
.719 BA (10 for 14 + Int walks)
1.214 SLG
1.964 OPS
10Ks in the circle
2-1 w/ a .0865 WHIP. Her only blemish vs. our #1 ranked 18G Mercado/ SmithIt’s been at least 10 years since I have seen such a weekend by a player https://t.co/VPYGvbGVAx
— The Gregbambino (@GregBorzilleri1) January 12, 2021
*** Universal Fastpitch 18U-Garcia Kailani Tatro, a 2023 RHP/1B, with a filthy K.
Strikeout in the first Pool Game in Arizona this past weekend …I had a great time with my teammates and coaches…I have a lot of work to do though and will keep grinding @UFP_18u_Garcia @Los_Stuff @blitzdowg @ExtraInningSB pic.twitter.com/SARFS4YcO7
— Kailani Tatro #54 2023 (@KailaniTatro) January 11, 2021
*** Mia Sanchez, a 2024 P/OF for USA Athletics-Rogers/Mathis, was perfect at the plate this past weekend.
#27 Mia Sanchez * LHP/OF* C/O 2021 * Mia went 6/6 this past weekend including this stand up triple against Athletics Mercado Hovermale 2024 @ExtraInningSB @BrenttEads @Los_Stuff @StanfordSball @JessicaAllister @FSU_Softball @Coach_Alameda pic.twitter.com/nyjX76OGG3
— USA Athletics Mathis 16U (@MathisUsa) January 13, 2021
*** Aissa Silva, a 2023 P/OF for So Cal Athletics-Richardson, with the … GRAND SLAM!!!
https://twitter.com/Aissa2023/status/1349228753780502534
*** 2023 LHP/1B/RF Olivia Miller putting in work for Lady Dukes 16U-Young/Lamar putting in some work.
https://twitter.com/liviemiller2023/status/1348818134539657218
*** Scroll down to see more standouts at the Arizona Winter Invite plus news from PGF Nationals and The Alliance Fastpitch…
