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Tournaments | Championship | 6/18/2025

"X" Marks the Championship Spot

Ashley Zunic

Photo: X Team 2026

X Team 2026 defeated 2026 Wesley Chapel Storm 7-3 to win the 2025 Perfect Game City of Palms 17U Championship title on Monday at Terry Park Stadium.

Right-hand pitcher and tournament MVP Mark Manuel set the tone from the very first pitch – an 87-mph fastball for a strike, keeping Storm off the scoreboard until the sixth inning. He worked efficiently throwing 94 pitches, 6 strikeouts, 6 hits, 1 earned run, and 1 walk. His fastball topped at 87 mph, mixing curveballs and sliders, both with a top velocity of 78 mph.

Manuel credited his performance to the consistent work he’s put in off the field.

“I’ve been going to the cages once, twice a day. I have also been lifting a lot,” he said. “It’s the work I’ve been putting in, like the gym and in the cages, kind of helped me win this award.”

X Team broke through in the bottom of the second when Santiago Rincon scored on a sacrifice fly by Hayden Robinson. X Team added to their lead in the third inning, Anthony Hernandez lined a single to left, and Ethan Lindor followed with a double to drive him in. Manuel ripped a triple to score Lindor, who was later driven in by Matthew Conger, giving the X Team a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth.

Anthony Vargas came out to close the final inning and contributed throughout the weekend with 7 runs, 6 hits, and 4 doubles. He finished with a .500 batting average and a 1.458 OPS.

Vargas noted that much of the team’s success came from the strong chemistry they’ve built through shared training and preparation. That connection, forged through hours of practice and time spent together, translated into confident, cohesive play on the field.

He emphasized how playing in the South Florida heat gave them an edge.

“We know how to deal with the heat and how to play two or three games in it. Being from down here really helps.”

Head Coach Rich Bielski praised his team’s resilience.

“We are a very talented team, but I like our resiliency,” Bielski said. “In the semifinals, we were down four runs—and these kids don’t quit, we’re going to keep coming at you.”

He described the group as relentless, with a go-getter mentality that keeps them pushing forward no matter the situation.

Bielski highlighted Manuel’s performance as a defining factor in the championship win. “He did exactly what we needed him to do. He came in, he threw strikes, his fastball was live, and his breaking pitch was for strikes. He also hit the ball, helps get us on the board. He was truly the MVP for us and for this tournament.”

He emphasized that the team’s preparation goes far beyond game day. “We don’t just show up for games—we conduct quite a few practices, we have a facility in Davie and Broward” he said. “We tell them: there are no days off. Even tomorrow, they’ll be doing something. If they’re not working out, somebody’s beating them.”

Looking ahead, Bielski sees this win as a stepping stone toward even bigger goals. “We’re always trying to get better. We’re looking forward to going to Georgia for Perfect Game. This was a great tournament win, and now we’re ready to compete with the best teams in the country.”

As the team celebrated their championship at Terry Park, Manuel reflected on what made this group special.

“This is probably the most fun group I’ve ever been around in my years of playing baseball,” he said. “We’re going to keep on having fun and keep going.”

He summoned up his mindset in three words: “Be a dog.”

PERFECTGAME.TV