LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. – In a game in which both teams struggled to consistently get anything going offensively, the Wildcats Del Campo/Weil utilized a big fourth inning to pull out a 6-3 victory over the 5 Star PlayMakers Siofele/Mulipola to advance to the 16u Championship Bracket of the TC Nationals.
 
After a couple of one-two-three innings, the Wildcats finally got something going when Savannah Patino hit a ball off the fence for a double. Olivia Clavero then slapped a ball down towards the third base side for an RBI single to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead and some momentum as the lineup turned towards the top heading into the fourth inning.
 
In the fourth inning, the Wildcats came up big with five hits and four doubles to take command of the game, 6-0. Jocelyn Robles got things started with a single followed by a double from Hannah Moreno to put runners on second and third. Then came the damage. Sammy Vargas got things started with a two-RBI double to make it 3-0, and a couple batters later, Marissa Quintero, the pitcher, helped her cause with a two-RBI double to make it 5-0. Patino came up and knocked Quintero in with her second double of the game, making it 6-0 and putting the Wildcats in complete control of the game.
 
On the mound, Quintero was sharp and held the PlayMakers scoreless through five innings. The PlayMakers finally got on the board when Brooke Goodman laced an RBI double, but it was too little, too late. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the PlayMakers managed to load the bases with one out, but only were able to bring two more runs across on a sac-fly and a double steal attempt before the game was over. The Wildcats now advance to the Championship Bracket of the 16u TC Nationals, while the PlayMakers will take on the Power Surge in an elimination game at 8 am PT on Saturday to make it to the Championship Bracket.

​CHINO HILLS, Calif. – It was all business on Thursday afternoon for the Corona Angels Tyson in a methodical 10-0 victory over the Washington Ladyhawks 18u Gold Simpson, moving the Angels one win away from advancing to the Championship Bracket of the Triple Crown Nationals.
 
Kylee Magee, an Arizona State commit, set the tone early on for the Angels striking out three hitters in the top of the first inning. Overall, Magee ended up racking up eight strikeouts in three innings of shutout work, while Oregon commit, Taylour Spencer, added five strikeouts over the final two innings of the game.
 
Offensively, the Angels were aggressive at the plate and aggressive on the basepaths. Every time the Angels got someone on first base, it was a sure bet that that runner was taking off for second. Taralyn Ollison picked up two stolen bases in the bottom of the first inning, and after a walk, Sierra Humphreys delivered a two-RBI triple to give Corona a 2-0 lead.
 
The offense really got going in the bottom of the second however, this time utilizing the long ball. After a pair of singles from Jesse Farrell and Katelyn Caneda, Kaitlyn Wynia lifted a ball out to right field for a three-run home run. The damage in the inning wasn’t over, however. Ollison delivered an RBI single and then Elon Butler, a CAL commit, blasted a ball over the left field wall to make it 8-0.
 
Corona added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning to make it 10-0 and cruised in the game with only one Washington Ladyhawks player even reaching second base. Overall, Corona has looked dominant and deep at TC Nationals, outscoring its opponents 28-1 so far this tournament. The Angels will take on Warrior Academy McDonald, which has outscored its opponents 31-7 so far, at 10:15 am on Friday with the winner advancing to the Championship Bracket. 

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By Kyle Koso
 
CHINO HILLS, CA – Putting up double-figure runs totals usually hints at a power-packed offense, going to work and launching balls all over the yard.
 
For the 18u Batbusters-Stith squad, Thursday’s resounding 13-1 victory against Sorcerers-Gabales/Rodruguez was rooted in the little things, where quality at-bats and steady pressure led to good fortune as play continued at the TC Nationals event.
 
The Batbusters started the second inning with three infield hits and two fielder’s-choice plays way in front of the outfield turf, a testament to the damage done by small ball. Ultimately, a costly error that would have been the third out at home plate opened the door for more, and a couple more hits of the firm variety capped the push at seven runs.
 
“We take pride in swinging at strikes, and sometimes it’s tough out there. You can win an at-bat hitting it hard, but a base hit is the (goal),” said Batbusters catcher Alexis Ramirez (a UCLA commit), who reached base in all four of her appearances and had a single and double in the big second inning. “It’s good to know I can produce for my team and help my pitcher get comfortable. She can give up a hit or two then, no big deal.”
 
Ramirez’s second double of the game brought in a run in the fourth, and the muscle showed up in the fifth inning with a five-run outburst – Ella Parker (Oklahoma) drove in two runs with a single, and Jocey Erickson (Oklahoma) ended all debate with a long three-run homer.
 
In the circle, Ryan Maddox (heading to play at Arizona this fall) was in full command and control, allowing three hits and two walks to go with seven strikeouts.
 
“I was throwing them off-balance with the changeup; I did start to struggle a bit with the strike zone, but I trusted my defense,” Maddox said. “Threw them strikes, got some ground balls and a few swing-and-misses. The big lead made me feel better. I just tried to hit the corners and keep them off-balance, and I know my teammates have my back if they do put it in play.
 
“At the top of the lineup we have some slappers, and if they can get on base, our big hitters will drive them in. It’s a lot of fun to watch.”
 
“Ryan is always a dog – I can count on her to throw strikes. Every time there is a big moment, I feel like she steps up even more,” Ramirez added. “It’s her time to time; I have all the confidence in the world with her, and she’s great to work with.”
 
Ailani Agbayani (BYU) had two hits and two RBI for the Batbusters. Alexis DeBoer had two hits for the Sorcerers.
 
The Batbusters-Stith will face Firecrackers TJ on Friday with the winner earning a spot in the 18u championship bracket, while the other team can still make it through in a loser’s bracket game on Saturday.