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Tournaments  | Story | 10/21/2018

Freshman Final 4 set for battle

Bryan Cooney
Photo: Parker Byrd (Perfect Game)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – After three days of competition, 64 teams have been whittled down to the final four at the WWBA Freshman World Championship in West Palm Beach after a grind of a day of playoff matchups. On one side of the bracket, the South Charlotte Panthers will take on Canes National 2022 while US Elite 15u National will battle 5 Star National Black 15u, with the paths for all four being very different with how they reached Championship Monday.

The Panthers were the team that punched their ticket in the most dramatic fashion. They needed a rally from three runs down in the final three innings of their quarterfinal matchup against Cangelosi Sparks Black to eventually walk off with a 5-4 victory as Braylen Hayes (2022, Sophia, N.C.) scampered home on a 3-2 pitch in the dirt with two outs.

After outscoring their pool play opponents 26-3 to earn the No. 3 overall seed in the playoff bracket, the Panthers made short work of the FTB Rockets with an 8-3 victory in their second round matchup thanks in large part to a 3-for-3, four RBI performance from Xavier Issac (2022, Kernersville, N.C.).

Going into their meeting with the Sparks running on all cylinders, the Panthers committed a critical error on a sacrifice bunt which led to a one-all tie becoming a 4-1 Sparks’ lead entering the fifth inning. The Panthers chipped away with a pair of runs in the fifth to get to within a run, while reliever Nathan Chrismon (2022, China Grove, N.C.) kept his team in the game with two scoreless frames after entering in the fifth.

In the bottom of the sixth Parker Byrd (2022, Laurinburg, N.C.) drove in the game-tying run with a single to center to score Aiden Evans (2022, Cornelius, N.C.) from second to send the game to the seventh even at four.

Chrismon put up another zero in the seventh and the Panthers quickly worked a threat for free as Hayes worked a four-pitch walk to lead off their half of the inning. After a bunt moved him up to second, a walk made it first and third for Evans who used his speed to beat out a potential double-play ball to leave it up to Chrismon. On a 3-2 pitch, a breaking ball bounded away from the Sparks catcher and Hayes slid in safely to send the Panthers to Monday’s semifinal.

They will match up with Canes National 2022, who earned the No. 2 overall seed in the playoff bracket but needed to overcome a stiff test from the No. 7-seed Elite Squad in their quarterfinal matchup. With the game tied at two in the fifth inning, Adam Shepard (2022, Manassas, Va.) gave the Canes the lead for good with an RBI double to left as they finished off a 5-3 victory to remain unbeaten in the tournament.

With three of the top bats throughout the tournament in David Mershon (2022, Taylors, S.C. – 10-for-15, five RBI), Virginia commit Nathan Fink (2022, No. 8, Charlottesville, Va. – 9-for-18, four stolen bases) and Shepard (7-for-12, nine RBI), the Canes will be a formidable lineup for all challengers to contend with on Monday.

On the opposite side of the bracket, US Elite 15u National forged their way to the semifinals with a tense 4-3 victory over Team Elite Prime 15u in a game that went down to the last pitch. After US Elite jumped ahead with a 3-1 lead after the first inning, Team Elite kept the game manageable and mounted a sixth-inning rally trailing 4-2 with their first three batters reaching to load the bases against US Elite starter Jesus Gonzalez (2022, Hialeah, Fla.). Reliever Gavin Woodland (2022, Vailer, Ill.) was called upon to put out the fire and after a strikeout and fielder’s choice allowed Team Elite to close to within 4-3, Woodland got a groundout to shortstop to wrap up US Elite’s semifinal spot.

Gonzalez struck out eight in his five innings of work and offensively Mason Morris (2022, Felton, Del.) went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Morris, Sal Stewart (2022, No. 9, Miami, Fla.) and Drew Wyers (2022, Columbus, N.J.) led US Elite in the tournament with six hits apiece.

Their semifinal opponent is the lone club that needed to come all the way from the first round of the playoffs and win three games on Sunday to have a shot for a championship.

5 Star National Black was up early with an 8 a.m. matchup against Team Elite Nation 15u and broke out the bats to score an 11-2 victory to set up a rematch with Cannons Baseball Academy 2022, who came on top over 5 Star with a 3-1 victory to win Pool J. After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, 5 Star scored two runs in the second and three in the third to take command. Tanner Zallem (2022, Fleming Island, Fla.) launched a two-run home run in the fifth and starter Sullivan Brackin (2022, Jacksonville, Fla.) racked up 11 strikeouts in his complete game victory as 5 Star won 8-2 to set up a quarterfinal matchup with the Top Tier Roos 2022.

5 Star jumped out in front of the Roos early with a four-spot in the first inning as Brackin, Tag Williams (2022, Monticello, Fla.) and Tanner Knowles (2022, Kathleen, Ga.) all produced run-scoring hits.

That gave their starter Hunter Russell (2022, Fleming Island, Fla) a four-run lead to work with before he stepped on the mound. The righthander made that lead stand as he pitched into the sixth inning, striking out seven in his 5 1/3 innings of work.

Zallem, who leads 5 Star with six hits and six RBI for the tournament, had a two-run single for 5 Star as they added three runs in the fifth on their way to sealing their spot in Monday’s semifinals.

Both semifinal matchups begin at 8 a.m., with the championship game to be played at 11 a.m. at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beach Stadium.
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Tournaments | Championship | 8/12/2026

Pokers Rally to Capture 16U BCS Title
Alyssa Golden
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Pokers Rally to Capture 16U BCS Title A hot afternoon at JetBlue Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida ended in a 9-1 victory for the Original Florida Pokers 2028 National, defeating SBA Bolts Florida 2028 National on Monday to capture the 16U BCS National Championship. A pitchers’ duel kept the game scoreless through four innings before the Pokers broke it open with a five-run fifth inning. The title marked the Pokers’ second 16U BCS Championship, adding to the championship they won in 2022. Despite a slow start to the summer, the Pokers found their stride at the right time. “We struggled a lot early in the summer, but the past few tournaments we really started turning it on,” Pokers head coach Will McCrimon said. “I’m just so proud of these kids.” Max Maynes started the game on the mound for the Pokers. The left-hander allowed three hits and two walks...
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Draft | Story | 8/23/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: NL East

Tyler Henninger
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With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. NL East Atlanta Braves  Grade: 55 Risk: High Notable Selections: OF AJ Gracia (1st rd) | OF Carter Beck (PPI) | RHP Kaiden McCarthy (2nd rd) | RHP Jensen Hirschkorn (3rd rd)   OF AJ Gracia (@UVABaseball) is seeing the ball really well & picked up a couple of hits, including a 2B into RCF. Smooth LH stroke & easy impact. Showed + pwr in BP, 46 BB: 36 K. Jr./'26 elig. @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/C4rSc0ZNIc — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) May 30, 2026 Atlanta had $15,870,800 to spend in this year’s draft,...
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Draft | Story | 8/22/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL East

Tyler Henninger
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With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. AL East Baltimore Orioles Grade: 50 Risk: High Notable Selections: OF Eric Booth Jr. (1st rd) | OF Ty Head (2nd rd) | OF Kevin Roberts Jr (4th rd)  Eric Booth Jr. (26 MS) goes big fly 💣 that carried out oppo. Explosive athlete w/ huge LH juice & tools. Big time in several facets. #NatElite #Vandy commit. @PG_DeepSouth pic.twitter.com/kXl7ZVyD9G — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 12, 2025 Baltimore was about middle of the pack in terms of money available this year, having $13.1m to spend on their class. Booth Jr. is a...
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Draft | Story | 8/24/2026

Area Code Gams: Prospect Recap

Steve Fiorindo
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Pitchers George Ferguson, RHP, Abilene HS  Ferguson toed the slab for the Rangers squad in game one of the Codes, setting the tone early with some loud stuff.  Ferguson attacked hitters with a verty fastball up to 96 that played well up in the zone with up to 24 inches of induced vertical break.  He showed more than just a power arsenal, going to the changeup often, using the pitch to put away hitters.  Kills the spin to the 1600’s, regularly getting 13-15 inches of horizontal break.  The slider rounded out the arsenal, working 82/83.  Struck out four over his three innings of work, two on the fastball, two on the change.  2026 PG All American committed to Texas.  Quinn Fitzpatrick, RHP, Stratford HS  Another 2026 PG All American out of Texas, the LSU commit punched out three over his two innings of work, allowing just one hit. ...
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College | Story | 8/21/2026

2027 Draft Preview: Collegiate RHP

Ryan Miller
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2027 MLB Draft Profile Preview: College Right-Handed Pitchers  Throughout the 2027 draft cycle, I’ll be breaking down different demographics in the class. Today we begin with collegiate right-handed pitching, a strong group that is headlined by a legitimate 1-1 candidate in Dax Whitney. Most of the group is made up of high-quality power four arms, with a handful of mid-major arms mixed in. Below are the top college right-handers in the 2027 class:  Dax Whitney (@BeaverBaseball) showed LOUD stuff. FB up to 100, cruised at 95-98. Pair of plus secondaries. CB at 77-79 (2923) with sharp, 12-6 action. Firm SL at 89-91 (2714) with bite. Flashed fading CH at 87-88 (1425). Ranked No. 1 on the ‘27 board @PG_Draft So./‘27 elig. pic.twitter.com/9PNbjJ53Zo — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) February 13, 2026 Dax Whitney, Oregon State  Whitney has maintained...
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All American Game | Story | 8/21/2026

Brotherly Love Inspires Carter Hadnot

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – Perfect Game has been a big part of Carter Hadnot’s life since he was 12. He participated in more than a dozen tournaments and showcases, including prestigious Select Festivals as a 13U and 14U player, as well as last summer’s PG All-Star Game for underclassmen in San Diego.   The PG event that Hadnot always wanted to be part of was the DICK’s All-American Classic. Now, that’s on his resume, too. He played in the 24th annual Classic earlier this week at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. “This means a lot to me,” he said during the event. “I always wanted to make it to Select Fest when I was younger. So, every time I get invited to an event it’s an honor and it’s fun. I don’t take it for granted. “This is definitely the one I always wanted to make it to. A lot of big names have...
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Press Release | Press Release | 8/18/2026

Perfect Game & Delano Partner Up

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  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME NAMES DELANO BAT COMPANY OFFICIAL WOOD COMPOSITE BAT PARTNER, LAUNCHES LIMITED-EDITION BAT SERIES   Delano Bats will serve as the Official Game Bat of the 13U Select Festival, taking place this coming weekend in East Cobb, Georgia   Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, August 18, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with Delano Bat Company, LLC, naming the company an Official Wood Composite Bat Partner of Perfect Game. The partnership will feature three exclusive limited-edition bat releases, which began with the Original Glory American Flag Bat in celebration of the United States' 250th birthday, that...
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Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: NL Central

Tyler Henninger
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2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West | AL Central With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. NL Central Chicago Cubs  Grade: 40 Risk: Medium Notable Selections: RHP Cade Townsend (1st rd) | OF Caden Sorrell (2nd rd) | 1B Myles Bailey (2C)   RHP Cade Townsend (@OleMissBSB) sat 95-96 T97 w/ riding FB from fast arm. Nasty cutter at 88-91 is the go-to, showed biting 2 pln SL. Low-80s top to bottom CB & CH ~ 1300 RPM to round out mix. Has had a great spring & risen up boards. Soph./'26 elig. @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/TAFbM37f5j — PG College...
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Draft | Story | 8/17/2026

2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL Central

Tyler Henninger
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2026 MLB Draft Report Cards: AL West | NL West With the 2026 MLB Draft officially in the books, it’s time to evaluate how each team performed. Every draft class was graded using the standard 20-80 scouting scale with risk factor assigned. While these grades won’t be proven right or wrong for years, they reflect the overall talent, value, and upside each organization added to its system. AL Central Cleveland Guardians  Grade: 45 Risk: Moderate  Notable Selections: RHP Liam Peterson (1st rd) | Tre Broussard OF (3rd rd) | RHP Savion Sims (7th rd)  Liam Peterson (@GatorsBB) has been pure power stuff through the first 3.0 IP in his start vs Bama…imposing his will on hitters with a fastball that has grabbed 100 mph a few times, backed up by his power slider and curveball @PG_Draft pic.twitter.com/RVThNrdMTn — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall) May 21,...
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High School | General | 8/17/2026

Scott Wins MVP Two Ways

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – When the folks at Perfect Game reached out to invite him to pitch in the 2026 PG All-Star Game for rising sophomores and juniors, Cullen Scott had one request. “You mind if I get a couple of at-bats, too?” Along with his dad, Scott traveled from the family’s home in Texas to Citizens Bank Park. The trip proved to be a huge success as he starred on the mound and at the plate and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Scott, 16, pitched a scoreless first inning and struck out two. In the fourth inning, he belted a grand slam six rows up into the left-field seats to lead the National team’s 6-1 win over the American team. “He showed us why he’s here as a pitcher and a hitter,” said Greg Sabers, PG’s vice president of scouting and showcases. "He’s one of the top pitchers here, but he’s too good a...
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All American Game | Story | 8/16/2026

Romero Slams His Way to Classic MVP

Jim Salisbury
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PHILADELPHIA – Sunday’s DICK’s Perfect Game All-American Classic was a pitching-dominated affair until the bottom of the eighth inning when the rain started to fall at Citizens Bank Park and Koa Romero stepped to the plate and did his best impression of Kyle Schwarber. Romero wears No. 12, just like Schwarber. He bats left-handed, just like Schwarber. He’s got big power, just like Schwarber. And at 5-10 and a rock-solid 225 pounds, he’s even built like Schwarber. Needless to say, Schwarber is Romero’s favorite player. So, it was all kind of storybook when Romero belted a grand slam to dead center to cap off the scoring in the West team’s 8-3 win over the East club in the 24th annual Classic. “This is a dream come true,” said Romero, who was named MVP of the game. “It’s amazing to be able to put a ball like that out of a...
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