OK, it’s time to get down to business: the PGF 18 Premier bracket play starts today and in the double elimination tournament held in Huntington Beach, Calif. it looks like a dozen or two teams can get hot and make a run.
Based on our incredible evaluation and observation skills—plus our talent at throwing darts at a list of teams posted on the wall—here are 10 we think have a great shot at winning the National Championship game which will be held Saturday in Irvine, Calif
1. So Cal A’s
As PGF Tournament Director Day Hay said a couple weeks ago, the A’s are the reigning national champs and will be until knocked off their throne. Head Coach Bruce Richardson knows how to get his team to peak at the right time and with a lot of games in a short amount of time he has three quality pitchers, led by Florida-bound Delanie Gourley, that he can go to.
2. Corona Angels-Tyson
One of the best offensive teams in the nation, they looked good at the Triple Crown tourney in Reno and won the Champions Cup in early July. A loaded team from top to bottom, they can explode on you at any point and can win with speed and/or power.
3. Team Mizuno-Stith
Head Coach Mike Stith took a championship winning 16U team and moved them up to be a juggernaut at the 18U level. The team is well seasoned and has championship experience, including taking the Team NJ Summer Classic. The roster is filled with players going to every major conference including a quarter headed to Florida.
4. Firecrackers-Rico
The Firecrackers can never be counted out in large part because Head Coach Tony Rico stresses mental preparation as good as anyone in the game. The Firecrackers never panic, they just execute to perfection and will play their game waiting for the opponent to make a mistake. This team has experience (went to the finals in Reno) and talent with eight players Pac12 bound
5. OC Batbusters-Haning
We spoke with Head Coach Gary Haning two weeks ago and he is always candid, good and bad, but said he likes this team led by pitcher Taylor McQuillin. You get the sense the team will go as far as her pitching takes them, but don’t overlook the team’s defense and ability to come through in tight spots. This team is built to win and they usually do.
6. Beverly Bandits-Conroy
It was an exciting week for the Bandits program as last Friday the 16U won the PGF National Title and having come in 3rd and 5th previously you know Bill Conroy and the rest of the organization are hungry for an 18U title. Wishes alone won’t get it done, but this team is talented and includes the Gatorade National Player of the Year Carly Hoover, a pitcher headed to Stanford
7. Sorcerer-Phil
Head Coach Phil Mumma has won National Championships before and he knows what it takes to go through a long week with a lot of games. This year’s Sorcerer team is loaded with talented position players including OF Krista Williams headed to Northwestern and SS Kylee Perez, headed to UCLA and who hit .571 in the three games of pool play on Sunday and Monday
8. Explosion
The Explosion has had top five finishes in several tournaments and went 3-0 in pool play heading into today. Explosion has good pitching depth led by starter Taylor Cotton, a 2013 grad who’s headed to Cal. Coach Bret Denio’s team didn’t get a great opening draw, facing the always dangerous Gold Coast Hurricanes who could easily be in this top 10 list as well. Keep an eye on P/UT Casey Stangel, the MaxPreps National Player of the Year too.
9. So Cal Choppers
This Chopper team has a nice blend of experience and youth and got the week off to a good start with a 2-0 record in pool play. One player to watch is SS Kylie Sorenson, headed to Stanford. She is strong defensively and offensively and will surprise you with the pop in her bat.
10. The Field
OK, this is a chicken way to finish this list, but, c’mon, it’s looking more and more like anyone can catch fire and ride momentum to Saturday’s title game. Look at the Virginia Legends… they went 3-0 in pool play and are playing very well. Then you have traditional powers like Gold Coast Hurricanes-Cooper that have a tough draw early with Explosion, but have the talent to go deep into the week. We like NC Lady Lightning Team Miken, which has firepower offensively and there’s always a Texas team like Texas Glory-Shelton…
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So who’s it going to be? Send us YOUR prediction of who the PGF 18U Premier champ will be and the first one that writes in with the team that goes on to win it all will win a cool prize!
E-mail: brentt@studentsports.com with your prediction!