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College  | Story | 5/3/2024

Week 12 Preview Pick 'Em

Vincent Cervino
Craig Cozart
Photo: Charlie Condon (University of Georgia Athletics)
No. 25 NC State at No. 6 Florida State

The Wolfpack (25-17) have lost 5-straight mid-week games but have won 5 of their last 6 weekend series including Duke, Clemson and UNC.  Their weekend rotation has been hit or miss due to various health issues but the emergence of Shane Van Dam and Derrick Smith in the bullpen has been huge.  The top half of the order can slug but they need some more consistency on the back end.  The Seminoles (34-9) are in 2nd place in the ACC Atlantic and still feature one of the best offenses in the nation with Cam Smitha and James Tibbs III batting over .390 each.  The bullpen has been a bit dicey at times but when they get length out of the rotation they are usually in good shape to win a series.  The series will come down to the NC State’s left-handed lineup against Florida State’s lefty relievers and I think the Pack finds a way.

Cozy’s Pick: NC State



The Wolfpack are coming off a three game non-con home sweep while the Seminoles gutted out a tough series win against Duke. Florida State looks primed to host a Regional and every week they get closer to June, the bullpen gets healthier. I think FSU’s offense is one of the best in the country and will be able to defeat NC State at home.

Vin's Pick: Florida State


No. 16 Vanderbilt at No. 19 Georgia

The Commodores (32-13) are 5-games out of 1st in the SEC East and are coming off a disappointing home series loss to Mississippi State.  This club doesn’t have much thump in the lineup but have a stellar bullpen duo in Ryan Ginther and Brennan Seiber who have 8 combined saves.  The Bulldogs (32-12) sit just behind this weekend’s foe in the SEC East and have the most dangerous offense in the nation with Charlie Condon and his 30 HRs of course.  The question is whether they can get the ball to Brian Zeldin with the lead at the end.  Vanderbilt has not played well on the road this year, while Georgia is an impressive (25-3) in Athens.  It feels like the Bulldogs take another step forward this weekend.

Cozy’s Pick: Georgia

These are about two polar opposite of teams as you will find in the SEC: Georgia ranks near the top of the conference in offense and the bottom in pitching while Vanderbilt is the opposite. So what happens when Vandy’s power-stricken offense faces Georgia’s homer happy pitching staff? An intriguing storyline for sure but I like Georgia’s pitching to get enough outs at home.

Vin's Pick: Georgia


UC San Diego at No. 17 UC Santa Barbara

The Tritons (26-15) had put together a wonderful April until they ran into Hawaii who swept them last weekend.  On top of that, they play two mid-week games at Arizona State before heading to Santa Barbara this weekend.  This is turning out to be a brutal stretch for this time of year for a club that only plays .500 ball on the road.  The good news is, if they can give the ball to Izaak Martinez with a lead at the end, it’s a done deal.  The Gauchos (28-12) have won 8 out of their last 10 and are playing like the best team on the West Coast right now.  Their pitching staff has only allowed 5-runs in the last 6-conference games and they are performing up to their lofty pre-season expectations.  UC Santa Barbara is a runaway train on a downhill track right now and could very well sweep again this weekend.

Cozy’s Pick: UC Santa Barbara

The Gauchos are part of a one-two punch atop the Big West right now as both clubs look primed for postseason spots with hosting still very much in the air. Santa Barbara can’t afford to take the foot off the gas right now with a top 16 seed in sight and welcoming a UC San Diego team that lost a road series at Hawaii should allow the Gauchos to take care of business.

Vin's Pick: UC Santa Barbara


No. 20 Louisiana at Troy

Louisiana (33-13) still has a comfortable 3-game lead atop the Sun Belt standings and could create even more distance this weekend.  Kyle DeBarge with the stick and LP Langevin on the mound are putting together All-American type seasons for a team that can beat you most any way necessary.  Troy (32-14) is coming off their biggest series sweep, possibly in program history, when they took care of Coastal Carolina on the road last weekend.  This team has won 6-games in a row, Brooks Bryan is a monster run producer and this weekend could give them a share of the conference lead.  Troy is playing excellent ball right now and Louisiana doesn’t thrive on the road, so I think the home team takes this series.

Cozy’s Pick: Troy

The Cajuns were one of the hottest teams in the country a couple of weeks ago and lost two of three in a huge series against Coastal. The Trojans, on the other hand, are coming off delivering Coastal a deathblow in terms of hosting chances as they swept the Chants. This is going to be a wildly entertaining series but I like the way the Trojans are swinging it right now and give them the slight edge over an excellent, but young, Louisiana pitching staff.

Vin's Pick: Troy


Kansas at Kansas State

The Jayhawks (25-15) haven’t had a better stretch than they are currently in as they have won 6 in a row and 9 of their last 10 games.  Dominic Voegele and Reese Dutton have been tremendous, anchoring the rotation by going a combined (12-4) with an ERA under 3.00 in 10-starts apiece.  The Wildcats (26-17) have struggled mightily with finding consistency in any aspect of their game but are a dangerous club with first-round talent on both sides of the ball.  Tyson Neighbors and Jackson Wentworth do the heavy lifting for the bullpen and have combined for 10 saves on the year.  This is another one of those crazy intrastate rivalries but it feels like Kansas is ready for the task.

Cozy’s Pick: Kansas

Both teams in this in-state rivalry are very much in the at-large picture, with the Jayhawks placing higher in the Big 12 but the Wildcats having a better RPI. There are obviously big names here but watch for how Kansas State deploys Jackson Wentworth this weekend. The big RHP has become one of the best relievers in the sport and gives them an x-factor they’ll need.

Vin's Pick: Kansas State


Jacksonville at Florida Gulf Coast

The Dolphins (22-20) aren’t a team that will blow you away with their numbers but seemed to have the knack for winning games.  They don’t have a single hitter with double-digit home runs and their best starting pitcher is Richard Long with a 4.58 ERA.  That being said, they sit atop the ASUN standings heading into this weekend.  The Eagles (20-22) have been through their roughest patch of games since starting the season (0-4) having dropped 6 of their last 10 games.  Ian Farrow leads the lineup in basically every offensive category but they just haven’t produced runs like in years past.  Jacksonville has won 5-games in a row and seem to have real momentum right now, which should carry them to a series win on the road.

Cozy’s Pick: Jacksonville

The Atlantic Sun is a super fun conference this year and this is another matchup near the top of the conference featuring two impressive offenses. I give the slight edge to FGCU here as they have the best offensive player in the matchup in Ian Farrow. The Miami transfer is hitting .400 this year and is a catalyst to what should be a high scoring series.

Vin's Pick: FGCU


Sacred Heart at Wagner

The Pioneers (24-19) are in a 3-way tie at the top of the NEC Conference, one of those being their opponent this coming weekend.  This club is road tested and builds their success behind a high pressure, aggressive offense that has already swiped 84 bases on the year.  David Aufiero and Owen MacDonnell makeup a tough, two-headed monster at the back end of the bullpen.  The Seahawks (21-22) play well on their home turf and have to be creative on the offensive side to generate runs.  Alec Burnett and Ryan Bilka have made a combined 30 appearances, mostly in relief and do a lockdown job when called upon.  These teams couldn’t be any more evenly matched, it will be a battle of the bullpens but I think Sacred Heart’s ability to take the extra base gives them the edge this weekend.

Cozy’s Pick: Sacred Heart        

Both teams enter this matchup at 18-6 in conference and stand tied atop the Northeast Conference (along with LIU). Pitching will be very important this series and Wagner features two arms already at the 60 inning threshold with a sub-4.00 ERA and Ryan Bilka, who has the lowest ERA of either squad at 2.98 on the season.
 
Vin's Pick: Wagner
 
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College | Story | 7/28/2026

Coppy's Corner: July 28 Summer Edition
John Coppolella
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The amateur players in the Cape Cod Baseball League are the future stars of the 2027 MLB Draft. The league runs from June 13th through August 2nd. Games are played at historic stadiums in Old New England towns. It’s beautiful and charming. Hollywood even made a movie about the Cape Cod League ~25 years ago called Summer Catch. It scored an 8% (!) on Rotten Tomatoes, but, on the plus side, it featured 2001 Jessica Biel in a starring role.  It was so much fun writing Coppy’s Column this spring. My hope is to highlight a pitcher and position player each week from the Cape. And, who knows, maybe somewhere out there Jessica Biel is reading it.    Player of the Week: Blake Schaaf – Bourne Braves  Schaaf had a big week, going 12-for-22 (.545 AVG) with 3 Doubles, 4 Stolen Bases, and 9 Runs Scored. It’s been the continuation of a terrific summer for the...
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Draft | Story | 7/30/2026

2026 MLB Draft Signing Deadline Recap

Tyler Henninger
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As of Monday at 5 p.m. ET, the 2026 MLB Draft is officially complete. The signing deadline has passed, meaning we now know every team’s finalized draft class and exactly how much each player signed for. Entering the draft, it was clear there was a distinct top tier consisting of Roch Cholowsky, Grady Emerson, and Vahn Lackey. That separation became even more evident once contracts were signed. Cholowsky became the first player in draft history to sign for more than $10 million, agreeing to a record-setting $10,347,500 bonus with the White Sox. Emerson set a new high school signing bonus record at $9,747,500, the second-largest bonus ever awarded to a draft pick. Lackey rounded out the trio with a $9,497,500 bonus, the third-largest signing bonus in MLB Draft history. Those weren’t the only records set. Teams combined to spend $402,481,143 in signing bonuses, surpassing last...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/30/2026

Blue Wave Battle & Prevail at 14u Classic

Kinley Kitchens
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For Excel Blue Wave, the summer was never about being perfect. It was about getting better. After a season filled with challenges, growth, and plenty of learning along the way, Excel Blue Wave put everything together when it mattered most, defeating SBG Sox Prime, Al 9-3 to capture the 2026 14U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship. For Excel Blue Wave Coach Forrest Heacock, watching the group celebrate with a championship trophy was especially meaningful because of everything it took to get there.  “It hasn’t been the easiest summer, and have battled a lot,” Coach Heacock said. “The kids have improved so much over the summer, and that is really what it’s all about at this age. It’s really just about improving at this age, and to see them be able to put it together, and just really compete together and play as a team, I couldn’t be...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/30/2026

Excel Leaves No Doubt at 15u Hoover Classic

Kinley Kitchens
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Excel Blue Wave National wasn’t leaving Hoover empty-handed.  At least, that was the message head coach Wes Henderson gave his team.  After a summer filled with strong performances but without a tournament title to show for them, Excel Blue Wave National entered the 2026 15U Perfect Game Hoover Classic with one more opportunity to finish the season the way they wanted.  This time, they left no doubt.  Excel Blue Wave National defeated East Coast Sox 2029 Victus, 12-0 in the championship game, combining a balanced offensive attack with a strong performance on the mound to secure their first tournament title of the summer.  “It’s been a special group,” Coach Henderson said. “They fought really hard, and they played really well this summer, and this is the first championship that we’ve been able to bring home. We typically...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/29/2026

"Excel"ling Through the Hoover Classic

Kinley Kitchens
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After a long summer of baseball, Excel Blue Wave National had one final opportunity to end it the way every team hopes to.  Together, having fun, and as champions. Excel Blue Wave National closed their summer with a 13-9 victory over Excel Blue Wave American – Morrison to capture the 2026 16U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship. In a game that required contributions throughout the lineup and seven innings of competition, the Excel Blue Wave National relied on the same qualities and approach that had carried the group all summer. With talent, perseverance and a chemistry built far beyond the baseball field, they were unstoppable.  For head coach Brennan McCullough, there couldn’t have been a much better way for his players to finish their final weekend together .  “It’s great,” Coach McCullough said. “We’ve had a long...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

16u West WS Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Quinton Hall
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16u West World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Jason Lizotte (‘28 | NV) Smooth LHH, hunts pitches down in the zone he can rip to the middle & PS w/ a downhill & direct path. Some strength in the hands w/ feel for the barrel #PGWS pic.twitter.com/kbK5Ayvhd7 — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 27, 2026 Jason Lizotte (2028 | Las Vegas, NV) The 5-foot-9, 145-pound left-handed hitter and outfielder was a spark plug all weekend for MTBA Dawgs 2028, finishing with seven hits, eight runs scored, one double, one triple, four RBI, three stolen bases, and four walks without a strikeout. Lizotte refused to give away an at-bat, consistently working hitter’s counts before spraying line drives all over the field. The left-handed swing stays short and direct with plenty of feel for the barrel, and once he reached base, he immediately put pressure on the defense with...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/29/2026

SBA Sox Save Best for Last

Kinley Kitchens
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Sometimes the best ending comes after a season of figuring things out. For SBG Sox American, the summer wasn’t always seamless. The team spent their early weeks learning where players fit best, building chemistry and searching for the combination that would allow them to play their best baseball. By the final weekend, they found it.  SBG Sox American closed their summer with a 7-5 victory over Dirtbags Midsouth 2027 Black to capture the 2026 17U Perfect Game Hoover Classic championship, putting together one final winning performance in the last tournament this group would share this summer.  For SBG Sox Coach Cooper Williams, that made taking home the championship trophy even more meaningful. “It’s been great, especially for it being their last summer event,” Coach Williams said. “It’s really cool for them to kind of pull this thing out for...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

East World Series Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Evan Brand (2027, Acworth, Ga.) has been solid at the plate all summer and did not slow down late in the summer. This week, Brand was able to hit just under the .700 mark and tallied three extra base hits, including a homer. The switch hitter has a fluid barrel path with plus feel for the barrel to all fields. The lower half also moves with some rhythm, and the switch hitting ability with the accuracy to the barrel provides plenty of intrigue. The middle infielder is committed to Georgia Tech. Atley Schwarzrock (‘27 GA) catches of all of the first pitch he sees launching it over the wall in left for a 2-run 💣 sending it with some heat; stays loose in his progressing ripping the barrel thru the zone with some strength behind it and staying tall on impact. #EastWS… pic.twitter.com/oGxbPQN1W0 — Perfect Game Georgia (@PG_Georgia) July 27, 2026 Atley Schwarzrock (2027,...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/29/2026

17u World Series Scout Notes: Days 3-5

Perfect Game Staff
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17u World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Lukas Waite (‘27, CA) showed LOUD stuff out of the pen. 6-2/205 frame. High-end athlete on the mound. FB sat 92-95 (T96). SL at 80-82 generated uncomfortable whiffs #PGWS @California_PG @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXaVxqA2kv — Perfect Game Four Corners (@PG_FourCorners) July 27, 2026 Lukas Waite (2027, San Diego, Calif.) came out of the pen on day four and showcased the loudest stuff out of the entire event. The recently named PG All-American ran the fastball up to 96 mph and sat 92-95 mph throughout the outing. A slider at 80-82 mph was lethal. It tunnels well off the heater and gets uncomfortable whiffs often. Waite features a 6-2, 205-pound frame that moves extremely well. There is supreme athleticism throughout the delivery that stands out. The upside is extremely high and will be sure to draw heavy draft interest during this...
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All American Game | Story | 7/29/2026

Victorino & Girardi Tabbed PGAAC Managers

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    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   SHANE VICTORINO AND JOE GIRARDI NAMED MANAGERS FOR PERFECT GAME DICK'S ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC AT CITIZENS BANK PARK   Former Phillies Stars to Lead Nation's Top High School Baseball Players on August 16 in Philadelphia   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Wednesday, July 29, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that former Phillies All-Star outfielder Shane Victorino and former Phillies manager Joe Girardi will serve as managers for Team East and Team West, respectively, at the 2026 Perfect Game DICK'S All-American Classic, taking place on Sunday, August 16, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pa.   Joining Girardi and...
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