Get on board with Extra Inning Softball’s regular feature, The Last Inning
We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at info@extrainningsoftball.com and also los.extrainningsoftball@gmail.com.
Here’s our TLI for Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 …
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NEWS & NOTES
TLI has been busy working on the Extra Elite Eighty 18U Club Rankings, so we wanted to share some 18U News & Notes, plus much more.
***It appears Tampa Mustangs 18U-TJ, which won the USA Elite Select WFC and Triple Crown Southeast Nationals titles and placed fifth USA Softball GOLD Nationals in 2020, have reloaded.
“Many of our players are making the jump to 18U Premier,” Mustangs coach TJ Goelz said. “I expect them to handle the move well and be very competitive. If the players learn our system quickly and buy-in quickly, we will make a nice run this summer.”
***Lady Magic 18U-Munoz from Northern California is a team to keep an eye on heading in to the 2021 spring/summer season.
“The Lady Magic 18U Munoz team is consistently one of the top competitors in California,” Lady Magic co-head coach Lindsey Munoz said.
“With 13 out of 17 players committed, all to D1 programs including several Pac-12 and ACC universities, this Munoz team is centered around a mix of offensive power and speed. In the fall 2020 season, Magic hit a very impressive .402 as a team with 21 total home runs and 29 total stolen bases in limited game action (29 games).”
***Coach Bob Turner‘s Top Gun 18U National squad, which has already qualified for PGF Nationals, looks like one of the top teams in the Midwest and should be a factor in all major events.
Top Gun placed second at the PGF Independence Day Invitational, ninth at USA Softball GOLD Nationals, won their pool at the Atlanta Legacy, placed second in their pool at the Tulsa Elite Invitational, went undefeated in their pool at the DeMarini Fall Invitational and placed fifth at the Atlanta Elite Invitational in 2020.
“2020 was one of the most trying and unpredictable years we will probably ever see,” Turner said. “However, I am very proud of the way our group persevered, competed and delivered last year. They truly are a first-class group of players and teammates.”
***Turner’s Top Gun squad added Sidney McLaughlin, a 2022 C/1B from the Oklahoma Athletics, to its roster. McLaughlin is the reigning District 6A Player of the Year from Stillwater High, OK.
A big TGF welcome to 2022 C @SidneyMcLaugh20. From Stillwater, OK, Sid is the reigning District 6A Player of the Year from Stillwater HS.
Excited to add this big time catcher & her family to @TGA_Turner & @topgunfastpitch! #tgf @ExtraInningSB @FloSoftball @Los_Stuff pic.twitter.com/cGHdaVTU4s
— Top Gun National 18U (@TGA_Turner) January 21, 2021
***Birmingham Thunderbolts 2024-Burns, which is one of the top 14 clubs in the nation, released its 2021 summer schedule.
Sitting here thinking about our Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2024-Burns roster and new additions:
Bam & Gaby (not pictured below)
I have players from 6 states (GA, AL, NY, NC, FL, MS) with ZERO turnover from the fall!
Can’t wait to get my 15 studs back together this summer pic.twitter.com/ueaWNsYqOo
— Quan Green (@quangreen) January 22, 2021
***PA Strikers 16U National released its 2021 summer schedule and tryout information.
We’ve got big plans for this summer… want to be a part of something great?? Contact Coach Sam snlichtner@gmail.com. All positions considered @03_strikers @Los_Stuff @StriveSoftball pic.twitter.com/JeWlUFT6DV
— Vanquish Fastpitch 18u Lichtner (@vanquishfp18u) January 22, 2021
***Southern Maine River Rats 18U-Demmons went 40-10-1 as a 16U team playing mostly an 18U schedule. the River Rats went 16-9 this fall and won one of the four tournaments they were entered in. They will try to qualify for PGF Nationals at a qualifier in February.
“As we kick off our season in February in Florida, we’re looking to build off the success we experienced at the 18U level in New England as a 16U squad in 2020,” River Rats coach Travis Demmons said. “The ladies have been working extremely hard during the offseason, but we have been bit by the injury bug a little. Although we are a deep, versatile squad, having our key contributors healthy and performing at their highest level is the biggest key.”
***10U and 12U Triple Crown Southwest Summer Natioanls berths and 14U Triple Crown Colorado Sparkler/Fireworks Power Pool berth on the line at the inaugural Triple Crown Cajun Classic from April 16-18 in Lafayette, LA.
The inaugural Cajun Classic is set for April 16-18 in Lafayette, LA! 🥎🐊
🏆 10u & 12u champs get a FREE PAID BERTH to the 2021 SW Summer Nationals! The top 14u bracket champ will be eligible to play 2021 @COSparkFire Power Pool🏆
🥎👉 https://t.co/IdJTffltUi pic.twitter.com/VjxgjnvsTY
— TC Fastpitch (@TCSFastpitch) January 20, 2021
*** Scroll down to see more team and event schedules, verbals, Workout Warriors & even Baby Yoda!
