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2,410 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Tournaments  | Championship | 7/18/2020

Canes National Take Home WWBA Crown

Photo: Canes National 16u (Perfect Game)
MARIETTA, Ga. – The week-long event with over 280 teams participating came to a close Friday afternoon with the Canes National 16U taking home the championship trophy. The Canes finished the week with a 10-0-1 record while beating a pesky Dirtbags 16U Tap Out team in the final game of the tournament, 7-3.

The Canes were powered behind their stellar pitching staff and timely hitting all week. They completed pool play undefeated scoring 40 runs while giving up only three. The Canes were tested in their second bracket play game, coming from behind to beat the Tri-State Arsenal 2022 Scout Team. Down to their last out, David Mershon hit a long ball which should have been a stand-up triple, but his aggressive base running turned it into an inside the park home run to tie the game. Coach Hucks says his team rallied behind Mershon’s aggressive base running all week and attributes a lot of their success to him.



In their third bracket game, the Canes were tested with a talented East Cobb Astros Texas Orange squad, a team who has Dylan Lesko, Jared Jones and others. Pitchers Evan Siary, Tristan Smith and Andrew Dutkanych IV worked to keep the talented bats of the Astros quiet and came out with a 4-3 victory. The quarterfinal and semifinal stage of bracket play presented no challenges for the Canes, winning 5-1 and 8-0. Nathan Fink led the charge over Team Elite in the semifinal posting three RBIs. The win over Team Elite propelled them to the championship game against the Dirtbags 16U Tap Out.

After giving up a lead-off walk to start the game, starting pitcher for the Canes, Kassius Thomas was able to get the next three batters out. The bottom of the first saw the Canes hitters jump on the Dirtbags pitchers. Cole Young singled to start off the inning but was thrown out on a fielder’s choice after Paxton Kling hit a groundball to the shortstop. Kling then stole second and came around to score after a Xavier Isaac double. After a walk and a stolen base, Nathan Fink continued his week-long tear with a two-run double. Thanks to heads up base running, Roman Anthony came around to score making it 4-0 after the first.

The Dirtbags answered back with a run of their own in the top of the second inning, as Andrew Walton walked and then scored after Hayden Friese doubled making it 4-1 after 1 ½ innings.

The top of the third welcomed new Canes pitcher, Bradley Gagen, who sat the Dirtbag hitters down in order. The same can be said for Gagen’s fourth inning. The bottom of the fourth is where the Canes extended their lead and put the nail in the coffin on their opponent. Lamar King began the bottom half with a single, which was followed by a walk and another single by Cole Young, scoring King. The Canes showed great situational hitting in their next two at-bats with both David Mershon and Paxton Kling being able to hit groundballs to score the runner from third extending their lead 7-1.

In the fifth, Tap Out showed some fight scoring another run to cut their deficit down to five. Starting right fielder, Nathan Fink was able to throw out a runner at home trying to score from second base to get the third out of the inning and avoid potentially more damage. The Canes bats quieted down after their fourth inning and did not score any more runs. The Dirtbags scored one more run in the bottom of the sixth when Kaden Varela Payne was called from the Canes’ bullpen.

The bottom of the seventh presented the Dirtbags with a golden opportunity to tie the game up and force extra innings. The Dirtbags had bases loaded with two outs before a new pitcher, Ashton Smith, came in for the Canes to shut the door on their title hopes. Smith struck out the Dirtbags batter for the final out of the WWBA National Championship game.

The Canes coaches and players began their celebration with a dogpile in front of the pitcher’s mound. The trophies were then given out and the MVP and MVPitcher of the entire tournament were awarded to two Canes’ players.

Cole Young, a Duke commit, was awarded tournament MVP while posting a .462 batting average with four doubles, six RBIs, seven runs scored, three stolen bases, and one home run.

“The pitchers kept us in every game,” said Young. “It makes it so much easier to hit when I know that our pitchers are so dominant.”

Jackson Ferris, a NC State commit, was awarded MVpitcher with nine innings of work while striking out 12 posting a 0.00 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.

“This is pretty special for me because I did not play in this tournament last year,” said Ferris. “There was a lot of trash talk coming our way, so it is a good feeling to shut those players up and be champions.”

Coach Brian Hucks had this to say about his team shortly after their championship victory:

“I am so proud of these players, man. It is just so special to be a part of such a great group of guys who want to win and do not give up. We did not have an easy road to get here facing Tri-State, the Astros and Team Elite, so we are so excited for the players. David Mershon’s base running against Tri-State down to our last out propelled us to this championship victory.”

The Canes will be headed to Sanford, Florida in two weeks to participate in the Perfect Game 16U World Series and look to carry their great week of baseball into that tournament.

The 17U WWBA National Championship has begun and will be continued throughout the week with over 200 teams participating in this year’s event. The top amateur baseball in the country is being played at East Cobb this week with bracket play of the 17U WWBA beginning Wednesday, July 22nd. Stay tuned for another excited week of Perfect Game baseball.

Tournaments | Story | 4/9/2026

Don't Boot the Loot Scout Notes

Cam McElwaney
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‘30 UTL Chase Jelks (GA) lifts this one deep into the gap & rolls around the bags for a triple. Loose LH swing w/ feel to lift. #DontBootTheLoot @PG_Georgia pic.twitter.com/leF4GMTawJ — Perfect Game Youth (@PGYouthBB) April 4, 2026 Chase Jelks (2030, Atlanta, Ga.) put together a great weekend for The Dream 14u Black in their run to a championship game appearance, hitting .444 with two triples and a double along with three RBI. He controlled the zone throughout the event in the box and finished with a 6:1 BB:K ratio because of it while also swiping five bags as well. It was a strong showing for Jelks, something that’s becoming common this spring in PG events.    ‘30 MIF Cohen Carter (TN) hits this one on the screws into the gap for a triple. Functional & compact swing. #DontBootTheLoot @PG_Tennessee pic.twitter.com/YVUfxbHBxx — Perfect Game...
College | Story | 4/16/2026

Coppy's Corner: April 16 POY Deep Dive

Perfect Game Staff
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Each week I huddle with Vinnie Cervino and Craig Cozart  to discuss Top-25 rankings and Players of the Week. In Coppy’s Corner, I dive deeper into these Players of the Week, providing analysis from 20+ years working in baseball front offices at the highest level.   Player of the Week: Jaquae Stewart – Texas State University  If you squint a little bit, you can see some Josh Naylor or Dominic Smith in Jaquae Stewart, with a stout build like a more powerful version of the teacup from the children’s song. Lately, the Sun Belt Conference has been child’s play for Stewart as he has been on fire showing an improved hit approach and power that tracks more with his 2024 performance at Northwest Florida State College than with his 2025 experience at the University of Texas. It’s tough for any player to jump from a JUCO in Florida to the big stage...
Juco | Rankings | 4/15/2026

JUCO Top 25: April 15

Blaine Peterson
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Another week of undefeated weeks for our top 4 ranked teams. Joining them in the top 5, coming off an undefeated week of their own, is Florence-Darlington, a team we have consistently had as a top 10 team all season long. Cloud County and Midland College continue to put together strong weeks and climb the rankings each week it seems. Jumping into the rankings this week on the strength of a 15-game winning streak is Seminole State (OK). And Linn Benton makes the top 25 for a 2nd consecutive week and looks like the top team in the NWAC this spring. Plenty of high-level matchups at the JUCO level for some of the top teams in the county this next week.  Rk. School Record 1 Johnson County (KS) 42-2 2 Gaston (NC) 43-3 3 McLennan (TX) 34-7 4 Chipola (FL) 37-7 5 Florence-Darlington (SC) 40-8 6 Walters State (TN) 37-10 7 Blinn (TX) 31-11 8 Florida Southwestern (FL) 30-12 9 Southern Nevada...
College | Rankings | 4/15/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: April 15

Nick Herfordt
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Welcome to this week's small school baseball rankings, covering NCAA Division II, the NAIA, and NCAA Division III. As the calendar turns toward the final weeks of the regular season, the urgency is real across all three levels — teams are running out of weekends to build their cases, and the extended postseason invitations that every program is chasing don't go to programs that peak in March. The next few weeks of results will carry more weight than anything that happened before spring break, and the postseason committees in all three divisions are watching closely. Every series dropped to a team you should beat, every road sweep you let get away — it all matters now in a way it simply didn't two months ago. What you'll also notice as you read through the breakdowns below is that the numbers are doing more of the heavy lifting in how these rankings are constructed. Run...
Press Release | Press Release | 4/15/2026

Perfect Game & Youth Prospects Team 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 AND YOUTH PROSPECTS ANNOUNCE   BROADCAST RIGHTS AND CONTENT PARTNERSHIP    Sanford, Florida (Wednesday, April 15, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new partnership with content platform Youth Prospects centered around broadcast rights, content collaboration and expanded visibility for elite youth baseball events.    As part of the agreement, Perfect Game will grant Youth Prospects broadcast rights to select games across its premiere events, including marquee matchups at the WWBA World...
College | Story | 4/14/2026

College Players of the Week: April 14

Vincent Cervino
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April 14th Perfect Game/Player of the Week:  Jaquae Stewart, INF/OF, Texas State  The Texas State Bobcats (24-12) are sitting in second place in the ultra-competitive Sun Belt Conference, and they have one of the most explosive offenses in the country.  They average right at 8-runs per game and can slug with the best of them, averaging almost 2-home runs per game as well.  Sitting in the middle of the order, Jaquae Stewart, is putting together a career year and is becoming the focus of opposing teams.  The 5-10/234 junior from Sinton, Tx is your classic lefthanded power hitter and is thriving in his move from Austin to San Marcos.  While it wasn’t the best week for his club, Stewart was sensational, collecting 8 hits in his 19 at-bats, scoring 5 runs, launching 5 home runs and driving in an insane 17 runs.  For the season, he is now slashing...
Showcase | Story | 4/14/2026

PG Announces Prospect Gateway Schedule

Hannah Jo Groves
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PG has announced the dates for Prospect Gateway events across the country - unique opportunities for young players to receive professional feedback and prepare for the next level. The Prospect Gateways are for players ages 13U-14U and serve as a qualifier for the National Showcase. Kevin Schuver, the senior director of showcases at Perfect Game, said these events are chances for players to step out of their comfort zone and show what they’re really made of. “Perfect Game Prospect Gateways aren’t just events. They’re doorways into something bigger. For young athletes, they serve as the first real step beyond their local fields, where raw ability begins to meet visibility and purpose.” At the event, each player is assigned a PG advisor who will watch and advise them individually. There will also be other scouts giving tips on how to enhance and develop a...
Press Release | Press Release | 4/13/2026

PG & MLB Clubs Offer Discount Tickets

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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 PARTNERS WITH THREE MLB CLUBS TO OFFER EXCLUSIVE TICKET DISCOUNTS FOR YOUTH TEAMS    Sanford, Florida (Friday, April 10, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a new fan engagement initiative in partnership with three Major League Baseball clubs — the Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals — to provide exclusive discounted ticket opportunities for teams participating in Perfect Game events.    Through the collaboration, youth baseball and softball teams competing in...
College | Rankings | 4/13/2026

College Top 25: April 13

Vincent Cervino
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In a season where remaining in the Top 25 has become a war of attrition, the No. 1 UCLA Bruins (33-2) are making the game look much easier than it is in all reality.  Winners of 27-games in a row, this club continues to win games by any means necessary as they continue their historic run.  Beyond the incredible win streak, the Bruins have started off Big Ten play (18-0) by sweeping their first six conference weekend.  Adding to their resume, in Game 1 of their series at Rutgers, they won a 14-inning thriller by a score of 4-1where their pitching staff registered an eye-popping 30-strikeouts while only surrendering 1 walk and 4 hits throughout.  In most any other season, the No. 2 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (30-5) would be sitting atop the poll as they are putting together a historic season of their own.  They swept Florida State (24-11) who was previously ranked...
Draft | Story | 4/10/2026

PG Draft: Favorite Position Group

Tyler Henninger
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Every draft class has its strengths. Some years its a loaded group of prep infielders, some years its a deep collection of college arms. In this year’s class, certain position groups stand out above the rest to us. This week, the draft team dives into their favorite position groups. Groups that we believe are loaded with depth, upside, and big league potential. College Infielders It’s hard not to get excited about the crop of college infielders in this year’s class because of who is at the top. Roch Cholowsky alone makes the group exciting. He’s got gold glove potential at the next level and an offensive profile that should make him one of the Top 15 to 20 prospects in all of baseball the second he gets drafted. Justin Lebron is another player with as much upside in the class. He is a premium athlete that can really pick it at short and has big upside with the...
Press Release | Press Release | 4/10/2026

Perfect Game and vivenu 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 PARTNERS WITH VIVENU TO POWER DIGITAL COMMERCE ACROSS YOUTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL    Sanford, Florida / New York, New York (Friday, April 10, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, has selected vivenu as its ticketing and commerce partner to unify revenue operations across its tournament ecosystem.    With 1.6 million tickets sold annually, 9,800 events in 40+ states and an immense social footprint, Perfect Game has built the most influential pipeline in amateur baseball. The organization has produced over 2,200 MLB alumni, and...
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