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Tournaments | Story | 7/3/2025

CBA Tackles The 17u WWBA

Hannah Jo Groves

Photo: CBA Marucci (Perfect Game)

CBA Marucci took the 2025 17U WWBA National Championship in dominant fashion - winning 7-2 over USA Prime/Aces National.

MARIETTA, GA - It had been a long week for both teams competing in the Georgia sun - but the tournament’s MVP, CBA’s Eric Zdunek, said his team came into the final game with the right mindset - even though they were considered underdogs coming into the WWBA:

“I think it was our fifth game in two days,” Zdunek said. “But we knew if we had some good energy, we’d be able to pull off a win."

In terms of pressure on the championship game - Jet Berry was locked in, as always.

“I don’t get too nervous before games,” Berry explained. “There’s only pressure when you put it on yourself. We want to win, we want to do good, but at the end of the day, we’re just going out there trying to have fun…I’ve never gotten to play in a big championship game like that. I was kind of stoked to play in it.”

The first run came in for CBA Marucci as Troy Southisene came in on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first.

After a quiet second inning from both teams, Berry advanced to home on a throw during Eric Zdunek’s at-bat. 2 pitches later, Zdunek knocked in a run with a line drive double.

CBA added even more runs in the bottom of the fourth - one coming in on a wild pitch, another advancing on the throw and the final of the frame coming off a run-scoring single from Berry, who went 4-4 in the ‘ship.

“I didn’t want to do too much. I just wanted to hit some fastballs up the middle and be the contact guy,” Berry said. “I was basically sitting fastball every at-bat. Then I got some good swings off. And then my third at-bat, I was sitting fastball, got a curve ball, hit it up the middle and I was just kind of all over the barrel…I was feeling real good, real confident. I don’t know - I was kind of in that mode. I was kind of just going off.”

In the top of the fifth, USA Prime/Aces National showed signs of life. Jalen Moton hit a 2-out, solo home run and Trevor Condon plated a run with a double.

“That’s when our whole team decided, ‘we have to put an end to this. Now. We have to win this game before we give them a chance to come back,’” Zdunek explained.

Leading off in the bottom of the fifth, Zdunek stepped up to the plate and crushed a solo homer off the first pitch he saw - making the score 7-2.

“I knew the pitcher wanted to get ahead and challenge me. So I just looked for my pitch, got my fastball and did what I can…

I was excited. Off the bat, I knew it was gone. I hit that ball so well and then I was pumped up. It’s awesome being able to have a big moment like that on such a big stage,” Zdunek shared.

Through the week, the 17-year-old had 13 hits, 10 runs, 14 runners batted in and 4 home runs.

“It was really just staying locked in every single at-bat,” Zdunek said - explaining the success that led up to his MVP award. “We had 11 games…sometimes it can be hard to be locked in the

whole time. But I was just trying to help my team win… [I] stuck to it, had a lot of confidence, and kind of just did my thing, just trusted my ability and it all worked out really well.”

Beyond the hitting power that CBA displayed, Berry wanted to shout out the pitchers for their work during the tournament.

“Our pitchers really, really carried us through the week. We hit really well, but, man, our pitchers did a great job.”

CBA Marucci’s starter for the ‘ship, right-handed pitcher Caden Dockan, put in 4.2 innings of work in the championship game. Through 79 pitches, he struck out 3, walked 3, allowed 3 hits and 2 earned runs. His fastball stayed in the mid-80s range - topping out at 86 mph - and he mixed in a low-70s slider.

Coming in relief and pitching the last 2.1 innings for CBA was right-hander Chase Hilt. He threw 36 pitches, struck out 2 batters, allowed 2 hits, no earned runs and no walks. He worked in the mid-80s range with his fastball and the mid-70s with his slider.

Berry added that the team’s chemistry is a big part of their success.

“This has been the best club team I have ever played for in my life. [Coaches] Jon Paino, Matt Jervis - they know baseball really heavy, but they really prioritize relationships with the kids…Everybody likes each other. Everybody’s cheering each other on.”

As for what Berry will remember about this tournament, one specific thing came to mind:

“I’m going to remember the dog pile, for sure, the best - and just how much of a grind it was to get there.”

PERFECTGAME.TV