THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,464 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,464 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Tournaments  | Championship | 7/6/2020

Team Elite Emerge Champs at 16u Firecracker

Photo: Team Elite Scout (Perfect Game)
MARIETTA, Ga. – The championship game of the 2020 16U Firecracker Finale took place Sunday night with the one-seeded Ninth Inning Royals Honeycutt taking on the two-seed Team Elite Scout Team. The two teams faced off on field one at the East Cobb Baseball Complex in Marietta, Georgia after a weekend filled with premier amateur baseball and entertaining gameplay. Given that these two teams were seeded one and two after pool play, it was no surprise to see these teams facing off for the chip. 

The one-seeded Ninth Inning Royals, despite a scary semifinal, cruised through the tournament field. Ninth Inning, through three pool play games, scored a total of 28 runs while shutting out all of their opponents. After yet another run rule victory in the quarterfinals, Ninth Inning would see its first challenge of the week from the 643 DP Tigers Hawkins in the semifinal game. Ironically, it took nine innings, but Ninth Inning was able to win 1-0 thanks to a sacrifice fly by Sadir Ryan. Pitchers, Matthew Navarro and Rhett Burley worked together to silence the 643 bats, posting a shutout. 



The underdog, two-seeded Team Elite Scout Team finished pool play with three wins, scoring 22 runs while allowing only four. They were able to inch out a 3-2 victory in the quarterfinals over the East Tennessee Crusaders and were powered behind a stellar outing by South Carolina commit, Adrian Roman, who pitching 6.2 innings. Team Elite was able to come out with a mercy rule victory over the 643 DP Jaguars McPhee. Team Elite pushed runs across the board while relying on their pitcher, Wes Simpson, and his five innings of stellar work, allowing only one hit while striking out four. This set up what was expected to be a very entertaining championship and a great way to cap off the Firecracker Finale. 

After a quiet first inning on both sides, Team Elite Scout Team was able to get on the board first thanks to a two-run double by Gavin Black. They were able to keep the momentum going with an RBI double by Cooper Blauser, who came around to score after taking advantage of a bad throw to second base. After just one and half innings, Ninth Inning saw themselves down by four runs. Team Elite kept the pressure on in the top of third extending their lead to five runs after an RBI double by Hayden Murphy.

The Ninth Inning bats woke up in the bottom of third scoring two runs to make the score 5-2 after three innings. Damien Anderson singled then scored on Cayden Gaskin’s RBI double. Aaron Lopez kept the train moving earning himself an RBI after hitting a deep line drive for a double. 

Team Elite’s bats responded in the top of the fourth inning scoring one run to extend their lead to four, followed by Kaden Martin who hit a ball deep enough to score the runner from third. After four innings, Team Elite led Ninth Inning 6-2. Both teams’ bats were silenced in the fifth inning. 

It was more of the same in the top of the sixth inning for Team Elite. They were able to keep the pressure on the Ninth Inning Royals scoring three more runs to extend their lead to seven. With two outs, Sammy Leis, Bryce Hubbard and Hayden Murphy were able to deliver timely hits. 

In the bottom half of the sixth, Ninth Inning responded with three runs of their own to cut into the deficit by playing small ball, with three singles and a couple of walks. Before the final inning, Team Elite lead Ninth Inning 9-5. This would be the last time either team crossed the plate. 

Starting pitcher for Team Elite, Hayden Murphy, worked efficiently on the mound pounding the zone, while throwing between 85-89 mph. Murphy was able to silence the Ninth Inning bats for 5 innings, while striking out five as well. Kaden Martin came in for relief in the final two innings giving up three runs, but it did not cost his team the lead. Murphy and Martin both worked behind their team’s big lead, which allowed for them to be comfortable on the mound. 

Team Elite Scout Team are the 2020 16U PG Firecracker Finale champions by a score of 9-5 over the Ninth Inning Royals Honeycutt. This high scoring affair was a perfect night cap to a beautiful Sunday filled with intense bracket play and stellar individual performances. 

Both teams will be participating in the 2020 WWBA 16U National Championship from July 10th to July 17th, as we look forward to more Perfect Game events. 
 

Tournaments | Story | 6/5/2026

"Houston, We Nave a Problem"

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Some moments set the tone for an entire game. For Jackson Nave, it happened in his very first trip to the plate. The Sevierville, Tennessee native stepped into the batter’s box looking for a pitch he could drive. A few moments later, the ball was flying over the fence, giving FTB Phillies 13U an early boost and igniting what would become a dominant offensive performance. “I was feeling good,” Nave said. “I was just trying to find a pitch I could hammer. I kept my eye on it, took it down the middle and that felt good.” That swing was only the beginning. Nave finished the game with a home run, four runs scored, and four RBI as FTB Phillies 13U rolled to a 27-4 victory on the opening day of the 2026 PG 13U National Elite Championship. For Nave, getting the offense started early is an important part of helping his team succeed. “I think it is really...
Tournaments | Story | 6/3/2026

Beast of the East Heads to Georgia

Will Dembo
Article Image
Marietta, Georgia will welcome some of the nation’s top teams this weekend as the Perfect Game Beast of the East Invitational takes place June 4-8. The invite only 15-17u tournament will showcase a plethora of nationally ranked teams and top talent looking to make a statement early into the summer and take home the championship in what promises to be a highly competitive weekend of baseball. The 15u division will shine a spotlight on several of the top ranked programs in the country as 9 out of the 32 total squads competing are T100. 11 states will be represented in the age bracket, proving how prestigious this event has become. Headlining the field are Wow Factor National who comes in at No. 8 in the national rankings, as well as Canes National who enters the weekend trailing just one spot behind Wow Factor. Canes National has an absolutely loaded roster with 9 players who rank in...
Tournaments | Story | 6/5/2026

Reed Continues to Prove He Belongs

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
For many young players, competing alongside some of the top talent in the country can be intimidating. For Chris Reed, it is simply another opportunity to prove he belongs. The Conyers, Georgia native has established himself as one of the premier players in the 2030 class, currently ranking No. 24 nationally and No. 7 among shortstops according to Perfect Game. Reed’s game has consistently stood out against elite competition thanks to his athleticism, instincts, and all-around skill set. That ability was on full display during the 2025 Perfect Game 13U National Showcase, where Reed earned his invitation to the PG Select Festival, one of the most prestigious events available to players his age. “It showed that I can play with the best of the best, and that I belong,” Reed said of the experience. The event provided more than just exposure. It also reinforced an important...
Tournaments | Story | 6/5/2026

Beast of the East Scout Notes: Day 1

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
‘29 SS Chase Hallett (NJ) drops the bat head on this one & lifts it out to the PS for a solo HR. Free and easy LH swing w/ present strength & more to dream on. #BeastOfTheEast @PGMidAtlantic pic.twitter.com/Ym9LFg05tx — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) June 4, 2026 Chase Hallett (2029, Pennington, N.J.) came up with a loud swing on Thursday morning, dropping the barrel on one and lifting it out to the pull-side. It’s an intriguing profile overall with the young left-handed hitting middle infielder and the power projects in a big way. The swing is short and simple, he finds the barrel at a high clip, and is a sure handed defender up the middle. This has all the makings of a high-end prospect in a few years and is certainly a name of note in the ‘29 class. Canon Day (2028, Germantown, Tenn.) put together a great day on the offensive side of things,...
Tournaments | Story | 6/5/2026

Arizona Desert Classic Gets Underway

Emily Hicks
Article Image
After another busy week of baseball, attention now turns to the 2026 PG 14u Arizona Desert Classic tournament as teams prepare for a weekend of competition on the Perfect Game circuit. ATB 13U enters the event looking to continue building on its season so far. The team comes into the weekend with a record of 5-4 and has shown strengths in their offense and defense. As the schedule gets tougher, this tournament presents another opportunity to test themselves against quality opponents. The field features teams from across Arizona, setting up several intriguing matchups throughout pool play. Key games against AZ Premier Prospects and Maverix could provide an early look at where the team stands heading into bracket play. A few players to keep an eye on this weekend include Reece Neely and Gavyn Jupp from Maverix and Jakob Couto from USA Scout Team AZ 14u. Whether it's producing at the plate,...
Tournaments | Story | 6/4/2026

California Kickoff Scout Notes

Joey Cohen
Article Image
Jayce Dejong (‘27, CA) finished 6-for-14 on the weekend which included a big HR in the championship game. Intriguing @PG_Uncommitted player to monitor this summer. #CAKickoff https://t.co/UbuSQxNalf pic.twitter.com/kjVcyiG8km — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 1, 2026 Jayce Dejong (2027, Yorba Linda, Calif). Really strong weekend at the plate, going 6-for-14 with multiple line-drive barrels, including a no-doubt pull-side HR. Medium, lean, athletic frame with room to add. Hits from a wider base from the left side, starts early and consistently gets to launch on time. Loose barrel turn with adjustability and length through the middle, showing the ability to create lift and impact out front. Coming off a strong junior season at Crean Lutheran and should be a priority uncommitted follow this summer. Evan Stroner (2027, Huntington Beach, Calif). Impressive...
Showcase | Story | 6/4/2026

Soph. & Junior National Arrive in Georgia

Hannah Jo Groves
Article Image
This weekend will kick off the 2026 PG Junior National Showcase with the Sophomore National Showcase following close behind. Both in Marietta, Georgia, these showcases will feature lots of top-50 talent along with the ever-present potential for lesser-known players to turn heads.  For the Junior National Showcase, starting on June 6, 7 of the top 10-ranked players will attend - No. 2 Colin Anderson, No. 3 Cullen Scott, No. 4 Carter Shouse, No. 6 Aiden Kearney, No. 8 Keelan Zumwalt, No. 8 Landon Bonner and No. 9 Theo Swafford.  Anderson won’t have to travel far to attend, coming from Acworth, Georgia. At last year’s Sophomore National Showcase, he impressed scouts with his calm approach and explosive bat speed. Scott, a right-handed pitcher and third baseman from Melissa, Texas, has shown his arm strength getting up in the 90-mph zone....
Draft | Story | 6/4/2026

Pence Makes the Jump to 2027

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME STANDOUT STRIKER PENCE RECLASSIFIES TO CLASS OF 2027, ACCELERATING PATH TO MLB DRAFT   Corona, California (Thursday, June 4, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that Perfect Game prospect Striker Pence, one of the most watched young prospects in amateur baseball, has officially reclassified from the Class of 2028 to the Class of 2027, making the 17-year-old eligible for the 2027 Major League Baseball Draft. Pence is currently the #2 ranked player on Perfect Game’s national rankings and the top-ranked right-handed pitcher. Pence, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound right-handed pitcher and left-handed hitting first...
Tournaments | Story | 6/3/2026

Gulf Coast Classic Kicks Off

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
The 2026 Perfect Game Gulf Coast Classic will bring together teams from across the region this weekend as players in the 14U-16U and 18U divisions take the field looking to capture a championship and make their mark on one of the summer’s premier events. Held in Fort Myers, Florida, the tournament will feature a talented mix of standout programs, nationally ranked prospects and emerging young talent. Swamp Baseball enters the 18U division with one of the most talented rosters in the event. The Cape Coral-based team features three nationally ranked top 500 prospects along with several additional High Follow players. Outfielders Nicholas Raber and Austin Schoolcraft, along with right-handed pitcher Tyler Reeder, are all ranked among Perfect Game’s top 500 prospects nationally. Raber will have the opportunity to compete in his hometown of Fort Myers. The 2026 graduate has shown...
Tournaments | Championship | 6/3/2026

EBC 17U-Griggs Takes Title

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
After a week of dominant performances, timely hitting, and resilient play, EBC 17U-Griggs capped off its run through the 2026 Perfect Game Hoover Invitational with a championship victory Monday, securing the program’s first tournament title of the summer. Despite a lengthy rain delay, EBC never lost focus, relying on contributions throughout the lineup and another strong pitching performance to secure the win. “This being our first [win] of the summer, we have an amazing group right here,” head coach Rodd Griggs said. “Some of the guys I’ve had for years, some of the guys just joined us this summer, but it’s an amazing group.” EBC’s championship performance reflected the depth that carried the club throughout the tournament. Paxton Wright set the tone of the mound, working four innings while allowing just two hits striking out two hitters....
Loading more articles...