Florida State Regional Recap

Jordan Posway

13u Champion: Florida Burn Tampa
13u Runner-Up: FBH Angels 13u

14u Champion: South Florida Prospects
14u Runner-Up: HCBFL

15u Champion: Florida Stealth Navy
15u Runner-Up: Sharks Elite

16u Champion: Miami Mudcats
16u Runner-Up: Xtreme Baseball-Royal

17u Champion: Orlando Assault
17u Runner-Up: PBA Under Armour

Fort Myers, Florida was a hot-spot for baseball last weekend, as it was home to the PG Super25 Florida State Regional tournament for four different age divisions. Hundreds of players ranging from 13-17u age brackets and nearly 1,400 spectators congregated at Terry Park for what turned out to be a great weekend of baseball.

There was no shortage of talent, as players from all age groups put on a show to make the 2015 PG Super25 Florida State Regional a tournament to remember.

Florida Burn Tampa, winners of the 13u age bracket, were led to the promised land by the strong hitting of #20 Derek Crum. The offensively gifted outfielder managed a .625 batting average by going 10/16 on the weekend en route to a perfect 5-0 record.

Although his team did not place in the 13u tournament, the offensive display by #13 Alex “Tito” Garcia of the SWFL Giants did not go unnoticed. In four games, the 6’3 first baseman drove in five RBIs on three singles, a double, a triple, and a home run.

Pitcher #31, Christian Vargas, led the charge for the 14u South Florida Prospects in the championship game against HCBFL. Vargas pitched six shut out innings while striking out seven batters in the Prospects' 4-1 victory. The offense created separation with a three run 4th inning and an insurance run in the 6th. Tyler Knierim led the Prospects with two RBIs.

15u age group brought the heat to an already sunny weekend as #13 John Dwyer of the SWFL Canes Elite wowed spectators with fastballs that reached speeds of 88 miles per hour. The gifted right-handed pitcher was praised as “one of the most impressive players of the tournament” by the National BCS Director at Perfect Game, Justin Amidon. The PBA Miracle 15u, had an ace of their own in #15 Benjamin Specht. He consistently threw in the 80-85 mile per hour range, and was a major catalyst in their deep tournament run.

The 15u Florida State Regional Champions, the Florida Stealth Navy, fended off a 5th inning rally by Sharks Elite in the championship game. The champs got out to a 4-0 lead in the 3rd inning, but the Sharks orchestrated a late three run rally to close the gap. Although they ultimately came up short, it was a valiant effort by the Sharks.

While strong pitching headlined this age group, batters such as #10 JanMikell Bastardo of the SWFL Canes Elite 14u and #5 Garrett Evans of Florida Stealth Navy showcased their offensive prowess. Bastardo finished the tournament 7/10 at the plate, while Evans racked up four extra-base hits consisting of three doubles and a triple.

The Miami Mudcats topped Xtreme Baseball-Royal 8-4 in the 16u regional championship game that featured notable players on both teams. The Mudcats ended the game with eight runs, but their Catcher, #7 Ralph Morla, accounted for half of their final tally with four RBIs.

While Xtreme Baseball-Royal lost the championship game, they certainly had a player that was turning heads. At 6’7 and 220 pounds, first baseman/pitcher #75 Christian Menendez towered over the other players. Throughout the tournament, he displayed impressive power and excellent velocity. The large righty showed off his cannon of an arm by throwing in the mid to high 80s with his fastball during Xtreme Baseball-Royal’s deep tournament run.

The Orlando Assault, champions of the 17u PG Super25 Florida State Regional, were carried by a dynamic duo of right-handed pitchers in #3 Dillon Bittner and #19 Kyle Brana. Both pitchers dealt pitches north of 80 miles per hour as well. In the championship game, #16 Kevin Soto was strong on both sides of the ball as he fanned four hitters in just over three innings while adding three hits and two RBIs in the Assault’s 13-5 victory over PBA Under Armour.

All in all, the 2015 PG Super25 Florida State Regional was an exciting tournament headlined by upcoming talents. With their regional tournament victories, Florida Burn Tampa, PBA Miracle 15u, Miami Mudcats, and the Orlando Assault all earned berths in the PG Super25 National Championships in their respective age groups.

PERFECTGAME.TV

Give us your feedback

Game Recaps
17U Florida Super Qualifier

5/6 Game Recaps
12U Florida Super Qualifier

5/6 Game Recaps
11u Florida Super Qualifier

Georgia Super Qualifiers Claimed
The East Cobb Astros and the Georgia Bombers (Hill) were able to emerge as the champions on Sunday at the 2018 PG Super25 13u and 14u Georgia Super Qualifiers.

PERFECTGAME.TV