Under the bright Florida sun at Roger Dean Complex, the 2025 15U Ultimate Baseball Championship - East delivered a battle between two talent-rich rosters. USA Prime 15U National edged out Canes National 15U, 2-1, to claim the championship crown.  

Both teams composed of top-ranked players from across the United States, showcased elite-level talent from the first pitch to the last. But it was USA Prime’s pitching depth and ability to come through at the plate in pivotal moments that ultimately set them apart. 

USA Prime’s pitching duo was lights out. Jeremiah Hall, a 2028 graduate from Spanish Fork, Utah and a Top 100-ranked player, opened with four innings of two-hit ball, striking out five and walking just one. Hall’s fastball topped out at 90 mph and was paired with a sharp 69 mph curveball and a slider that reached 71 mph. He allowed just two runs—only one earned—in a composed and efficient outing. 

Jesse Covington, a 2028 shortstop and right-hand pitcher from Greensboro, North Carolina, came in to close the game in the final 3 innings. Through 51 pitches he allowed no hits, 4 strikeouts, and 2 walks. Covington’s fastball had a top velocity of 90 mph, closing the door on a dangerous Canes lineup. 

Theo Swafford led the way for USA Prime, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. He set the tone early with a first-inning single and a stolen base, then came around to score on Colin Raymond’s RBI single in the bottom of the first. In the fifth, Swafford delivered again with an RBI single. Truitt Stafford and Colt Ward also contributed key hits to keep the pressure on the Canes defense. 

This championship game brought together some of the top 15U talent in the country, with both rosters featuring standout players from coast to coast. It was a tightly played contest defined by discipline, execution, and competitive intensity. Clean defense and sharp pitching on both sides highlighted the high level of play that carried these teams to the final. 

While he didn’t pitch in the championship, Jayden Allen was named the event’s MVPitcher after a dominant tournament outing in which he threw seven no-hit innings, striking out six, walking one, and earning zero runs. His fastball topped out at 83 mph, and his ability to completely shut down opposing lineups stood out across the event. 

USA Prime’s performance throughout the tournament, capped by their composure in the championship, reflected a team built on depth, preparation, and execution. Their 2-1 victory marked a strong finish to a week of high-level baseball. 

-Ashley Zunic

Ghost National 14u Last Team Standing at UBC East

The stars were on full display with 18 of the nation’s Top 100 14U players clashed in a can’t-miss championship finale. The 2025 UBC East 14U tournament, which ran from June 16th to June 19th, concluded in dominant fashion as Ghost National stormed past Canes National with a convincing 9-2 victory.

First pitch came at 10:20 a.m.,with Canes National serving as the visiting team and looking to strike first, but Ghost National’s starter Larson Accardo (2029, AZ) had other plans. Accardo delivered, working 3.2 innings, scattering four hits, allowing zero walks, and fanning five. His fastball sat comfortably in the 75-78 mph range, paired with a biting 72 mph curveball.

Ghost wasted no time setting the tone. In the bottom of the 1st, three early walks and two well-timed base knocks turned into a quick 3-0 lead. The momentum shifted quickly to the home team from there.

Canes National responded in the top of the 2nd, fueled by three walks and two singles of their own to cut the deficit to 3-1. But that would be one of the few sparks for the Canes, who were ultimately out-hit 7 to 6 and never quite regained footing.
Still, the game remained within reach as the scoreboard read 5-2 entering the 6th, where Ghost opened up the scoring. Ghost National capitalized on five walks in the inning, plating four runs to blow the game open.

Ghost’s offensive firepower was spread out and evenly distributed. Andres Armenta (2028, AZ) delivered the big spark of the game with an inside-the-park home run in the bottom of the 3rd. He was one of four Ghost players to drive in a run, joined by Seth Young, Owen Duncan, and Macgraw VanWormer, who all drove in an run each.

Meanwhile, Brayden Greene (2029, TN) came in to shut the door in relief of Accardo. The righty tossed 3.1 innings, striking out two while allowing two hits and three walks. His 79-82 MPH fastball and 74 MPH curveball kept Canes from ever mounting a serious comeback.

Canes’ lone extra-base hit came off the bat of Colton Smith (2029, OH), who roped a double, but the offense was otherwise held in check by Ghost’s stout pitching and mistake-free defense—neither team committed an error all game.

Perhaps the most consistent offensive presence for Ghost was Evan Hedlund (2028, AZ), who went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and finished the tournament with a scorching .455 batting average across six games.

In a tournament filled with elite talent, Ghost National stood tallest when it mattered most—showcasing elite arms, elite at-bats, and a championship mentality from first pitch to final out. On a stage loaded with future stars, Ghost National shined brightest.
 
-Elijah McClary