THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION

| 2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,801 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS

2,384 MLB PLAYERS | 15,801 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS

Create Account

Tournaments | Story | 10/12/2020

SoCal's GBG claims WWBA WC title

Jeff Dahn

Photo: GBG Navy 2021 (Perfect Game)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Los Angeles-based Garciaparra Baseball Group (GBG) organization has spent much of the past decade establishing itself as one of the premier programs on the West Coast. In the last half-decade, it’s taken things a step further and is now recognized as one of the premier programs in the entire country.

Want proof? When program founder/owner/head coach Michael Garciaparra woke up here Monday morning he did so knowing he had a team playing in the final-four at the Perfect Game WWBA World Championship (Jupiter) for the fourth time in seven years. That’s a record of success very few programs – regardless of the locale they identify as their base of operations – can match.

There is a caveat, however. Those outstanding GBG teams of the past had never taken the next step. All three of the previous semifinalists were beaten in that round and never played for the championship.

“We’ve taken third three times at this thing,” Garciaparra told PG on Monday afternoon, speaking from the Terry Park Sports Complex. “I told the guys we need to get to the damn final. Just get us to the final and I know we’ll figure it out.

“So that’s what they did and this is a very, very special group. … They competed together like champions and that’s what they deserve to be; it was a total team effort for sure.”

GBG Navy 2021 listened to their coach and won a semifinal game for the first time Monday morning, then left nothing for chance in overwhelming Power Baseball 2021, 9-1 in six innings, in the championship game on a steamy Monday afternoon at Terry Park Stadium.

The No. 13-seeded Navy 2021 (7-0-1) totaled 13 hits in the blitz, one a three-run home run from Josiah Chavez in a seven-run second. They also got four innings of no-hit, six-strikeout work out of 2021 lefthander Anthony Joya, a top-500 Cal State Fullerton recruit.

The No. 10 Power 2021 (7-1-0) were never able to mount much of a charge in the championship game after playing very impressively over the previous four days.

“Our coach was on us the entire tournament; he really wanted us to win this thing,” tournament Most Valuable Player Carson Williams told PG postgame. “He was confident in us the whole way and he (told us to) keep the energy up the whole time. We’re a big momentum team. Once we had those first (four) runs we were just going to roll; that’s what happened and it was amazing.”

That top of the second inning in which GBG Navy plated seven runs was nothing short of a clinic on how to make contact and proved for the umpteenth time that hitting can be contagious. It started innocently enough with a lead-off walk to Matt Clark which was followed by a single from Aaron Reyes. William "Dub" Gleed then stroked a single to right field which plated Clark and tied the game at one.

That brought Chavez to the plate and he hit a laser shot 375-feet over the wall in right-center that gave the Navy 2021 a 4-1 lead. Two outs were recorded back-to-back and it looked like the Power 2021 might be out of the woods when in fact GBG’s fun was just getting started.

Caleb Lomavita, Williams, Jackson Castillo and Clark all hit two-out singles with Castillo’s driving in a run and Clark’s bringing in two. It was 7-1 at that point and when GBG added an eighth run in the fourth on an RBI single from Gleed the Navy 2021 was entering run-rule territory.

That came to be in the sixth when Williams led-off with a single – his third of the game – Clark walked and Reyes singled to load the bases. Williams came around to score GBG’s ninth run on an RBI fielder’s choice groundout from Gleed which meant game-over if the Power 2021 didn’t score in the bottom half; they didn’t.

What’s almost forgotten in this is that the Power 2021 actually led this game 1-0 at the end of the first inning. Joya was shaky at the outset and issued leadoff, one-out and two-out walks to Marcus O'Malley, Justin Colon and Noah Sullivan with a run finally scoring on a two-out wild pitch.

Williams, a 6-foot-1, 175 pound 2021 shortstop from San Diego who is a Cal commit ranked No. 148 nationally, went 10-for-24 (.417) with three doubles, a triple, 10 RBI and eight runs scored to earn the MVP recognition. Hitting third in the order, he was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases in the championship game.

“Half of us here, we didn’t even know each other (pre-tournament) and we came together so well,” Williams said. “We’re all pretty much from California … and we came together so well. We worked as a team, we played well and we minimized errors. We just had a mindset of win, win, win and we came out and we did what we were supposed to.”

GBG Navy 2021 right-hander Dennis Colleran, a 6-foot-3, 220 pound righty from North Attleboro, Mass., - a Northeastern University commit ranked No. 126 nationally - was brought in from the GBG Northeast program and pitched absolutely lights-out and was named the Most Valuable Pitcher.

Colleran made three appearances, all in relief, and was dominant in each outing. He came in against the Rawlings National ST/Sticks Baseball during pool-play and worked 2 2/3, two-hit, scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and a walk – eight outs, eight strikeouts.

He worked another 2 2/3 scoreless innings against the Dirtbags Scout Team in the playoffs’ second round, allowing one hit and striking out two. Garciaparra went to him again in the semifinals on Monday against the Canes 17u Prospects and this time it was 1 1/3 hitless, scoreless innings with another strikeout. Tournament total: 6 2/3, no runs, three hits, 12 Ks and two walks.

“I take every single pitch and every single at-bat trying to get every single batter out,” Colleran said. “I focus on trying to throw as hard as I can and as accurate as I can and I never try to throw out of my shoes. … I’m more about trying to get the outs and trying to get the team to the next game.”

This is the first time a team from the West Coast has won a Jupiter championship since the SoCal-based, Christian Yelich-led ABD Bulldogs ’13 captured the crown back in 2008. GBG and other West Coast programs had absolutely nothing to prove here this weekend but there is a sense of satisfaction that comes with finishing on top of the most competitive high school-aged amateur baseball tournament in the world brings.

“It’s hard for me right now because my dad (Ramon) is back home and I’m just thinking about him being here and (enjoying) this, too; he’s always here with me,” Garciaparra said. “But it’s hard for West Coast teams to come out here. You run with what you bring out here and you can’t just pop guys in and out.

“I’m proud that 98 percent of our team is California boys … and that’s what I think makes it super special,” he added. “We’re just one of those teams that’s going to play with what we’ve got and that’s what they did.”

The 2020 spring, summer and fall seasons have been challenging for every travel ball program from every state in the union due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions but it has been especially difficult for the players from California.

Garciaparra said they still aren’t able to play organized games with umpires and this team has had to travel to Arizona just to get out on the field. “For these guys to compete at the toughest level in all of amateur baseball through a long grind, I just couldn’t be more proud,” he said.

“All the hard work that we put in this summer and even the years before just to get here, it’s just such an honor to be at this tournament,” Williams said. “It’s like nothing I’ve (experienced) before; it’s amazing.”

Colleran, the kid from the Boston area can totally relate: “Without having a spring season, to come out here in October and being able to win this, it’s huge. It’s a great way to end the year.”

Both finalists won semifinal games at Terry Park Monday morning to move into the championship by building early leads and then holding on for tense victories.

The Power 2021 enjoyed a 4-0 lead with six innings in the books and outlasted the No. 22 Scorpions Marucci Franchise Team for a 4-2 win.

Power Baseball 2021 righty Noah Sullivan got the start and threw four, four-hit shutout innings to pick up the win. Ben Barrett singled and drove in a pair of runs, and Greg Pettay and Mason Wilson both singled and drove in a run.

The Navy 2021 scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning and added a single run in the second for an early 6-0 lead against the No. 16 Canes 17u Prospects and then held on for an 8-5 win; the Prospects scored five runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to get within 6-5 but GBG Navy prevailed.

Matt Clark singled twice, drove in three runs and scored another for GBG; Aaron Reyes tripled, singled and scored and Josiah Chavez delivered a two-run single.

PERFECTGAME.TV

Give us your feedback

Tournaments | Story | 12/14/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2030

Jheremy Brown

The youngest of the classes that we'll look at for the best defenders in the country, this group is loaded with guys that play the game well better than what their age says. From athleticism to arm strength, it's quite impressive what these guys can do already. C Jhunior Jose Cordero (Boca Raton, Fla.) Cordero has all the traits imaginable behind the dish including elite strength and athleticism in his 5-foot-10 160-pound frame. The switch-hitting catcher came in at No. 3 nationally in the recently updated class of 2030 rankings. He has been clocked at 1.91 sec from home to second base with legitimate arm strength up to 78 mph. With advanced abilities at every position, the primary backstop Cordero is simply a special talent on the defensive side of the ball. He has tons of quickness in his hands and lower-half, which allows for fast and fluid transfers behind the plate. Cordero’s...

Tournaments | Story | 12/13/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2029

Tyler Russo

Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 These guys might just be entering high school, but they've certainly already made a name for themselves on the national circuit, especially with their abilities on the defensive side of things. C: Xavier Rodriguez (Logansville, GA) Rodriguez is a polished defender with real arm strength behind the dish, while showcasing the ability to impact the baseball with authority to all fields evident by thirty of his sixty-five hits going for extra-bases including seven bombs. He handles high-level pitching extremely well, commands his staff and his offensive prowess makes him a true two-way asset. 1B: Cooper Knight (Buda, TX) Knight is a smooth operator at first base with plenty of range, fluidity and agility in his footwork around the bag. Add-in a rocket for an arm, the ability to change slots and to...

Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Scout Stories: Part 5

AJ Denny

Best Game I Saw: The Dream NTL 18U vs. MBA Scout Team Murphy Jupiter always brings out the best, and we got fireworks from the jump. Turner Marshall gave The Dream an outstanding 4+ innings of work on the mound, holding a lethal MBA team at bay with Chance Dixon, Derrick Carter, and Ellis Appling providing an offensive spark out of the gate for the Georgia based boys. However, it was only a matter of time before the talent on the other side got going, as MBA erased a 3-run deficit in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead led by a Parker Loew HR. The Dream then took command again in the Top of the 6th, before MBA punched right back with a huge 5-run inning in the bottom half capped off by a clutch RBI single from Matthew Kerrigan, ending a wild sequence with tons of notable performances from two very competitive rosters. Best Tournament Performance I Saw: Surely someone has already brought this...

College | Story | 12/12/2025

College Notebook: December 12

Craig Cozart

Nebraska Cornhuskers 2025 Highlights: The Cornhuskers were a difficult team to figure in ’25 as they finished with 33 wins, played just .500 (15-15) in the Big Ten but had some big wins at various times during the season and got hot at the right time. They knocked off then #16 Vanderbilt in the second game of the year, beat #5 Oregon State 2-out-of-3 at home in late March and then got hot at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha to win the Big Ten Tournament. They beat Michigan State in a 10-inning thriller before taking care of #4 Oregon, knocking off Penn State and then shutout #13 UCLA to punch their ticket to the Chapel Hill Regional. Head coach Will Bolt has now led his alma mater to three conference titles and three NCAA Regional appearances during his six years in Lincoln. No different than when he was a player, Bolt’s teams play with passion and toughness, this was never more...

Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2028

Troy Sutherland

Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 You like athletes? You like defenders who can impact a game at any given point? Look not further than this class as it's loaded from coast-to-coast with elite defenders all over the diamond. C: Brogan Witcher, Bakersfield, CA Our scouting staff got several strong looks at Witcher whether that was at the Summer Kickoff, Sophomore National or the Underclass All American Games where he showcased his strong overall skillset and especially his advanced ability behind the plate. His 6-foot-3,180 pound build looks like one that will fill in quite nicely and be that big and physical catcher’s frame. His arm talent is undeniable where he gets it out quick and runs it up to 79 mph on throwdowns to 2nd (1.84 pop). Besides the standout catch/throw ability, we’ve seen him frame/receive strong arms and block it well during...

Softball | Softball Tournament | 12/11/2025

PG Softball "Toys 4 Tots" Fundraiser 18U division

Dave Durbala

BURLINGTON, IA - 2025 Perfect Game Softball Toys 4 Tots Fundraiser One Day, December 7, 2025. Kicking off the holiday season, six teams participated in this one day, 3 game guarantee tournament in the 18u Division. We would like to thank those that donated a toy, and know that they will be distributed to area underprivileged children through a local charity organization. Following are some of the top performers from the weekend. Earning Tournament MV-Pitcher was Jolee Strohmeyer (2026 Dubuque, IA), a RHP/UTIL with tournament champion Lady Expos Blue. Strohmeyer shows hitters a consistent and repeatable motion and delivery with good use of the legs in the drive phase, and a quick and aggressive arm whip. Working with a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop, curve and screw, Strohmeyer topped out at 60 mph, and showed good movement as she worked her rise and curve just out...

Tournaments | Story | 12/11/2025

Scout Stories: Part 4

Tyler Henninger

Scout Notes: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Best Game I Saw: Hudson Reed (‘26, GA) torches this ball to deep CF for a solo 💣. Generates easy power that plays to the big part of the yard. Middle of the order traits #UBCWest @PG_Georgia @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXqDVFmUBx — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 18, 2025 I was fortunate enough to see a lot of highly competitive games with loads of talent on the field, the game that sticks out to me the most was Alpha Prime 2026 vs. ZT National Prospects at the UBC West. The game was an efficiently played affair with arms dominating on both sides. Graham Schlicht was masterful for Alpha, striking out 12 hitters over 5 dominant innings. PG All-American Julian Cazares came out of the pen blowing smoke, touching 97 mph with the fastball. On the other side, Jake Carbaugh surrendered just one hit and...

Press Release | Press Release | 12/11/2025

PG Believe In Baseball Announces Awards Dinner

Perfect Game Staff

667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE PERFECT GAME BELIEVE IN BASEBALL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES DETAILS FOR FIRST ANNUAL “IN THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME” AWARDS DINNER AND AUCTION Los Angeles, California (Thursday, December 11, 2025) – The Perfect Game Believe in Baseball Foundation, together with Perfect Game leadership of Chairman Rick Thurman and CEO Rob Ponger, has announced the inaugural “In the Spirit of the Game” event, an evening of baseball and laughter, taking place Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the iconic Laugh Factory in Hollywood, Calif. The evening supports the Foundation’s mission to provide financial assistance and resources that allow deserving young athletes to play, learn and grow through the...

Tournaments | Story | 12/11/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2027

AJ Denny

Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 Elite defenders from coast to coast certainly seems to be a strength and to think you could make another top-tier team without thinking, speaks to the real depth this group possesses. The infield is a no-doubt strength of the group, but what catcher Dariel Carrion can do behind the plate is like something we haven't seen in a while in the prep ranks with an absolutely bazooka of an arm. C: Dariel Carrion (San Juan, PR) It isn’t often you get a catching prospect as athletic and natural as Dariel Carrion, a big reason why he holds the rank of #1 player in PR and #18 nationally. Metrics wise, the 5-foot-10, 210 pound San Juan native is all you can ask for and more, posting a sub 1.80 pop time with an 84 mph arm behind the dish. He has both contact and clear power threat on the offensive end, ending 2025 with a .337 BA and 4 HRs while also...

Tournaments | Story | 12/10/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2026

Tyler Henninger

The Class of 2026 is one of the deeper prep classes that we have seen in a couple of years. With that being said, there is plenty of talent on the defensive side. Let’s take a look at some of the best defenders in the class. C: Will Brick, Christian Brothers HS (Memphis, TN) Brick is a newcomer to the class after reclassifying, but immediately became the top backstop. Extremely advanced actions are shown behind the dish with impressive athleticism to go with it. Brick showcases big time arm strength and is consistently accurate on throw downs. He can make playing the position look extremely easy at times. Brick possesses all the defensive tools needed to be a premier catcher. 1B: AJ Curry, University City HS (San Diego, CA) Curry has a bigger and stronger frame with good strength throughout. He has a well-proportioned build that serves him well on the dirt. He’s...

General | Blog | 12/10/2025

Youth Baseball Exec. DeDonatis III Joins PG

Jim Salisbury

Youth Baseball Executive Don DeDonatis III Joins PG By Jim Salisbury It’s free-agent season in baseball and Perfect Game has landed a big one. Don DeDonatis III joined PG as a consultant in November. The DeDonatis name is synonymous with youth baseball and softball. Along with his dad, Don Jr., DeDonatis helped build USSSA into a big hitter in the game. He brings decades of experience and knowledge to PG. “We all acknowledge that Donny has moved on from USSSA,” PG CEO Rob Ponger said. “This is a new chapter for him and we hope both sides take advantage of it to help youth sports in general. “The DeDonatis name has a legacy attached to it and we’re hoping that Donny is going to help us. PG is a growing brand and he’s on board to help.” DeDonatis was CEO at USSSA from 2018 until his exit from the company two years ago. “I’m...

Loading more articles...

PERFECTGAME.TV

SPEND MORE. SAVE MORE.

Event Types

Special Events

Featured

Baseball Showcases

Player Rankings

DRAFT BOARD

Team Rankings

Travel Team Rankings

College Rankings

Softball Player Rankings

Top Ranked Players

PG Rawlings Preseason All American

Top Ranked Teams

Recruiting Menu

Event Results

PG EVENT CONTENT

HIGH SCHOOL CONTENT

MLB DRAFT CONTENT

COLLEGE CONTENT

RECENT ARTICLES

PG Alumni

NOTABLE MLB PLAYERS

About Perfect Game