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2,414 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Tournaments  | Championship | 7/9/2025

14u BCS Belongs to Sting Select

Sting Select came out on top after a defensive battle against Canes Elite - winning 1-0 and claiming the 2025 PG 14U BCS National Championship. 

In the heat of the day at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida, the spring training home to the Minnesota Twins, both teams were chugging water and taking refuge in the air-conditioned tunnels as they prepped to begin the championship game.  



It was Sting Select’s first time playing in a big league stadium. Coach Jeff Searcy said it was very exciting for the team.  

“I was a little worried they were going to get caught up in the moment,” Searcy said. “But they competed just like we’ve worked on since 8U. They just played like what we trained them to do.” 

Going into the ‘ship, the teams were exhausted. Games had been cancelled, moved around and delayed throughout the whole tournament due to weather. Sting Select had played a game the night before, and two games prior to the championship.  

“[It was a] long day, but everybody dealt with the same elements. It was hot and our boys fought through it,” Searcy said.  

The championship game started with a bang - as the lone run came across the plate in the top of the first inning. Kaeden Russell got on base with a line drive double to right field, then, in the very next at-bat, Liam Lackaff singled off the first pitch he saw to bring Russell home. 

“I was seeing the ball really well,” Russell said. “I was sitting fastball every at-bat and I spit on the off-speed if it wasn’t good. I was just competing up there.” 

“I was just thinking, ‘be aggressive,’” Lackaff explained. “‘Because there’s a runner on second, there’s one out - just be aggressive. Just get a ball I can hit well,’ and I hit it well.” 

Both Russell and Lackaff pitched in the final game as well. 

Russell worked in the high-70s range with his fastball and mid-60s with his curveball. Through 5 shut-out innings, he threw 79 pitches and struck out 5 batters.  

“My mindset on the mound today was just to compete, throw strikes, fill up the zone and let my defense work.” Russell said.  

Lackaff took the mound in the sixth inning - and said he took a moment to get his bearings.  

“My heart was beating really fast. I went in the hallway to settle myself down. I do breathing stuff at home a little bit, so I just focused on my breathing,” Lackaff said.  

With 30 pitches in 2 innings, Lackaff used a high-70s fastball and a low-70s curveball to close out the championship. 

The strength of both teams’ defenses made for a quick game - as they caught every pop-up, fly ball, runner stealing and turned impressive double plays.  

“[My] defense was very good. We don’t make many errors, but when we do, they come back and fight and make the next play,” Russell said.  

The 14U BCS MVP was awarded to Gavin Teeter, who had 8 runs, 9 hits with 3 doubles and 2 triples, a home run and 11 runners batted in through the tournament. 

“I put in a lot of practice - a lot of hitting coaches - I thank all of them. I just went in trying to barrel baseballs and thankfully, I did that,” Teeter laughed.  

Teeter shared that the weather was the most difficult aspect of this tournament - a sentiment echoed by his teammates and coach.  

“The heat, for sure and also the rain. All the cancelling and re-warming up and trying to stay in the right headspace to hit a baseball,” Teeter said.  

“[We told the boys to] drink water and just play ball. Everybody’s dealing with the same stuff. Just compete and win,” Searcy said about his message to his team throughout the week.  

This national championship feels extra special for this Sting Select Team because it was their final tournament together as a team after establishing in 8U. 

Searcy talked about what it meant to the organization to end on this win. 

“All the boys were excited to come out here and put a showing on for our families that have committed for years.” 

“It’s our last tournament and it’s in the stadium. I’ll remember that.” Lackaff smiled.  

Tournaments | Story | 4/21/2026

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