OKC Challenge
June 2-5, 2023
Chickasha, OK
14u Division
Earning MV-Pitcher was Braylee Spence (2027 Kingston, OK), a RHP for the tournament champion Oklahoma Angels 08. While only working seven innings in the circle, Spence made the most of it. Utilizing a full mix of pitches that included a rise, drop-curve, change-up, screw and curve, to go with a fastball that registered 62 mph, Spence struck out 14 batters, only gave up two hits, walked one and did not allow a run to score, finishing with a 0.00 ERA and a 0.43 WHIP. This young lady is a talent in the circle that will be followed over the next several years, and should be a highly sought-after player in the 2027 class. With growth and strength development over the next few seasons, Spence should mature as a pitcher as she works her way up through age level play.
Angels 08 teammate, Addison Dodson (2027 Lindsay, OK) earned MVP honors on the weekend. Dodson, starting slightly open and in a crouch, does a nice job of getting weight to her back side and then using a solid lower half, with hip turn to generate torque. Dodson showed the ability to work the ball gap to gap, finishing with eight hits that included three doubles and two triples. She scored six runs and knocked in 8, while not recording a strikeout for the tournament. Dodson finished with an outstanding batting average of .727 and an OBP of .769. Dodson also helped her team in the circle by picking up the win in the championship game, tossing a three-hit shutout. One would assume that as this young lady gets stronger and matures as a player, her power numbers will increase and I can only assume she will still be hitting for average also. A true two-way player at the next level, if she continues to put in the work.
Amanda Thompson (’26 Crawfordsville, FL) is a force to be reckon with in the circle for Lady Dukes 26/27 Perkins. She has a such fluid spin on the ball that naturally rises in the zone. Keeping batter’s swinging at balls that look to be coming in the zone and rise right out. With this natural rise on the ball it keeps her drop unpredictable. She uses her height and length to really get some speed behind the ball averaging between 60-62 mph. Bright future for this pitcher with her spin and speed.
Teammate, Samya Sandifer (’26 Smyrna, TN) is a very confident player when entering the batter’s box, she seems so comfortable and knows she’s going to find a way on. With a swing that is very level and smooth through the zone teamed up with her plus speed on base makes her a threat. Sandifer could be seen playing third base on defense, she keeps a low stance making a quick transfer showing her arm strength across the diamond.
Aleah Rivera (’27 Omaha, NE) can be found behind the plate for NE Gold 08- Waller, she may be small, but boy is this catcher mighty. She is a quick to pop heads up catcher of her batter and base runners. She keeps a strong arm on throw downs and great wrist work to help frame in the zone. Rivera shows great communication with her pitchers when needed, she will take control of the situation and ensure her team is all on the same page in those tougher innings.
Keelyn Constancio (’27 Clinton, MS) is a speed demon on base and on the green. In the batter’s box as a lefty slapper, she takes great read of her defense and finds one ground. Sunday morning she was seen with a little pop slap just between the shortstop and left fielder that has some great spin on it, when it hit the ground it spun away from both defenders giving her the opportunity to advance and make it a double. Defensively, in center field she a strong drop step and uses her speed to track down balls that everyone may think is over her head but with the last minute extension of her arm makes it look easy to catch.
Oklahoma Blaze 14u’s very own Harper Guthrie (’27 Edmond, OK) is another lefty slapper to keep an eye out for. She exceeds in driving the ball hard into the ground for the chopper effect or just blasting it past the defense that was brought in on her. Defensively, she can be found out in right field and good thing. With Guthrie’s speed I wouldn’t recommend hitting it that way, Sunday morning she took advantage of a quick one hop hit to her and effortlessly glided through the motion to make the play at first and gain an out for her team.
Haley Helm (’27 Savoy, IL) carries a big bat in the MOJO 2K9 lineup. She keeps a strong transfer of power from her lower half all the way through the ball. She is disciplined in the box and isn’t afraid to see a lot of pitches. Helm can also be seen in the circle as a RHP, she keeps her mix of pitches consistently in the 60-63 mph range dropping her off speed down to 45 mph. In that mix of pitches, you’ve been warned her drop curve will fool batters into swinging even when its going to fall out of reach.