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Tournaments  | Championship  | 7/3/2024

Freedom Classic Crowns Champs

Hannah Jo Groves      Madeleine Howe     
Photo: Top Tier Roos Gulf Coast (Perfect Game)
15u

Gulf Coast Knights Victorious in Defensive Battle for Championship

The Gulf Coast Knights managed the 1-0 win over Showtime Select 2027 Fusco to win the 2024 15U PG Freedom Classic Championship.



After a rainy tournament with many delays due to lightning, the teams finally met for the championship match in Hammond Stadium of the Lee County Sports Complex.

After two scoreless innings, the only run in the game came in the bottom of the third with 2 on and 1 out. Left fielder Lincoln Must knocked a line drive to center to bring Robert Morrison home.

Other than that moment, it was an all-out pitching and defensive duel.

The outfield was almost flawless for both teams - consistently making the extra effort to catch fly-outs. Specifically, Gulf Coast right fielder and center fielder (Mason Williams and Teegan Turner) showed their speed and experience with their communication and execution.

Starting on the mound for Showtime Select was lefty AJ Conza. Through 3 innings of work and 66 pitches thrown, he used a high-70s fastball to strike out 2 batters.

In relief for Conza came right-hander Liam Zeller, who was a bright spot for Showtime Select. In 2 innings and 42 pitches, he struck out 5 batters and only allowed 1 walk. Zeller worked in the low-80s with his fastball - topping out at 84.

While Showtime Select’s pitching was elite, it couldn’t quite match up to the left-handed Jackson Mann.

Mann pitched 6 shutout innings over 90 pitches - striking out 6 batters and allowing only 1 walk - the only walk that the Gulf Coast Knights allowed the whole game. Mann worked in the low-80s with his fastball, mid-60s with his curveball and 64 mph with his slider.

A combination of lights-out defense and clutch offense clinched the win for the Gulf Coast Knights.


16U

Knight Knation Charges to Victory over Genesis-RB

After a thrilling neck-and-neck battle, Knight Knation Florida won their second tournament championship in less than a month by demonstrating exceptional composure and commitment in its 6-5 victory over Genesis-Rb.

Many weather-centered challenges arose throughout the weekend - something Southwest Florida is known for. However, the long waits throughout the day and weekend did not diminish the determination of either team - or either crowd watching.

Knight Knation’s offense started strong with 3 runs in the first inning, however Genesis-Rb responded immediately with 4 runs. Each hit was met with cheers and exclamations of praise from friends and family in the stands.

Three innings passed with neither team scoring or giving up a run, showcasing outstanding, cohesive defense from both sides.

Right-handed pitcher, tournament MVP and MVPitcher Jasper Davis took control for the Knights during the bottom of the 1st inning and powered through his pitches, striking out 7 batters with heaters ranging from 83-86 in 5.1 innings.

Davis also contributed offensively with an RBI - alongside 5 other teammates of his. Shortstop Ashton Hovda struck a loud double out to right field that got 2 runs across. Second baseman Bryan Rodriguez hit a ground ball to shortstop, center fielder Jackson Skoglund hammered a single down the middle and third baseman Micah Page hit a sacrifice fly to center field, all leading to a run.

As the back-and-forth battle carried into an extra inning of play, right fielder Cayden Ruby smacked one to left field and brought Bryan Rodriguez home - getting the championship walk-off win for the Knights. The cheers from the players, parents and other fans could be heard across 50Plex - everyone wanted to join in on the excitement.

17U

Top Tier Roos Gulf Coast Hop To The Top

The Top Tier Roos skated past Tornadoes Baseball 7-2 at 5 Plex-Lee County Player Development Complex to win the 2024 17U PG Freedom Classic.

Scattered thunderstorms and pouring rain created challenges this weekend, with many games delayed and forcing a later start time. Despite the weather, The Roos were prepared to defeat the Tornadoes.

It was a tense, whirlwind showdown with both teams delivering flawless shutouts and showcasing exceptional defensive teamwork throughout the first two innings.

However, when a single run crossed the plate for the Tornadoes at the top of the 3rd inning, the Roos roared back, striking with 2 big runs and unleashing their offense.

Left fielder Luke Camiscioli paved the path for the Roos, taking advantage of a few defensive miscues resulting in a 3 RBI double.

"I saw men on 2nd and 3rd and there was 2 outs, so I was like ‘Alright, I got to hit something up the middle', and that was pretty much it,” said Luke Camiscioli. "I learned that if there was an outside pitch, [the umpires] are calling a strike on me, so I just thought, ‘Alright, I just got to throw my hands out there and try to hit it.’”

The Roos displayed variety in their offense with MVPitcher and second baseman Tucker Engel crushing a single and a double knocking in 2 runs, while first baseman Alex Nelson shot a double to right field and extra hitter Timothy Hutchinson drove a ground ball to second, each contributing 1 run.

The outfielders had their hands full, snagging a total of 9 hits that soared their way to the back of the field but handled it with ease. Infielders worked in unison, securing help from shortstop and New River CC commit Derek Hernandez Jr.

Right-handed pitcher Stuart Engel left everything on the mound, striking out 4 batters with speeds ranging from 73-76 mph in 7.0 innings and only 72 pitches.

"I tried to stay steady on the outside and they just couldn’t touch it,” says Engel, who also praised his teammates for assisting him. "They were a good backup. There were some hits (from the Tornadoes) that could have been bad, but they were there.”

The Top Tier Roos will be back in action in two weeks for the 2024 PG 17U BCS National Championship from July 13-18.

18U

NLB American Triumphs in 18U Freedom Classic Win

NLB American put their patriotic name to good use in their 7-0 win over NLB Upperclass for the 2024 18U PG Freedom Classic title.

It was a battle between two teams from the same organization - even wearing the exact same jerseys - for all the marbles.

Everybody knows each other,” NLB American coach, Cooper Samples said. Coaches, players, everybody.”

When the first pitch was thrown on Field 5 at 5-Plex Player Development Center, it was lightly sprinkling - a refreshing break from the scalding sun. But as the relieving raindrops left by the second inning, the humidity really set in - making the air thick between two teams that were oh-so familiar with one another.

NLB Upperclass pitching started strong with right-hander Baker Safley on the mound for 3 innings of work. With a fastball topping out at 85 mph, a low-70s curveball and a 70 mph slider, Safley showed perseverance by striking out a whopping 7 batters through 81 pitches.

For NLB American’s offense, extra hitter Hunter Tarchalski kicked things into gear, lofting one out to center for a RBI single to get his team on the board first.

Tarchalski said that he felt his hitting had been off this weekend, so his strategy in the box for this championship game was fairly simple.

"Don’t strike out,” Tarchalski said. "Put a ball in play, because the kid was throwing hard.”

With a couple of stolen bases from Tarchalski and shortstop Madox Land, NLB American put themselves in position to take advantage of a couple defensive miscues from NLB Upperclass to score on passed balls and errors - going beyond just putting the ball in play.

While NLB American’s offense started to heat up, so did their left-handed pitcher, Sammy Roberts.

In 72 pitches, Roberts threw a complete, shut-out game - allowing only 1 walk and 2 hits - but striking out 8 batters. Roberts worked in the mid-70s with his fastball, topping out at 78 mph. With his curveball, he stayed in the 60s zone his slider came in around the low-70s. Efficiency was marvelous for Roberts - with a couple innings going by with 10 or less pitches thrown.

Roberts explained that his unique knowledge of the opposing team informed his presence and strategy on the mound.

"It’s pretty relaxed,” Roberts said. "I don’t have to really stress about going against or competing against people I don’t know, because I know their ability. I know, pretty much, how to pitch against them…for some people, it could change. [I would] start with a changeup, could start with a fastball, maybe a curveball every now and then just to mess with them. It was a great time.”

The teams made the long trek home together - traveling from Fort Myers to Tallahassee as finalists and champions of the 2024 PG 18U Freedom Classic.
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