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Tournaments  | Championship | 9/30/2025

Canes Stay Hot, Win WWBA Sophomore

Photo: Canes National (Perfect Game)
Canes National 16U took the shut-out, run-rule victory over SBA Bolts National 2028, going up 8 runs in six innings. 

It was balmy in JetBlue Park’s stadium as players, coaches, parents and friends packed in to watch the culmination of an action-packed tournament. 

The Canes were able to get 4 runs across in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on walks and errors to plate as many as possible.



With two outs and the bases loaded, Graham Virag blasted a single to center to bring another two runs in - making the score 5-0 to really spring the Canes ahead. This was Virag’s first tournament with this already established Canes team.

“I was a little nervous, but once I settled in, I just simplified it and swung as hard as I could and found a barrel,” Virag said.

Robert Mascia plated an additional run on a line drive to right field to make the score 6-0 at the end of the first.

The next few innings, SBA attempted to get on the board, but the Canes defense was lights-out - turning double plays and making it look easy. 

On the mound for the Canes was right-hander Nolan Slaymaker. Through 4 innings of work, he struck out 4 batters using a fastball that sat in the high-80s range, but topped out at 91 and also mixing in a mid-70s slider and changeup.

“I was trying to just do whatever I could to help my team out. Just fill up the zone, get outs as quick as possible,” Slaymaker said. 

The SBA defense showed its strength in the middle innings, not allowing any runs.

However, in the bottom of the fifth, the Canes finally brought in a run off a fielder’s choice.

Then, in the sixth, with one on and two outs, Isaias Torres called “game” as he lined one to right field, bringing Grant Arnold in as the game’s final run.

“It was 3-0, and Coach gave me the green light,” Torres laughed. “I was ready for a fastball, found it and hit it well. It felt great. [It’s been a] long tournament. Our team played well. Our team played hard. We’re all exhausted out here.”

The fatigue was understandable, as the players were on the field in the heat of the day. Though everyone was glad for no weather delays, there was only occasional cloud cover to shield everyone from the beating sun. 

“I actually brought a big ice bucket for the team,” Virag said. “We’d stick our hands in it, put it on our heads, put our heads in it. It actually kept us in the game - cooled us down.”

Arnold, who crossed the plate as his team’s tournament-winning run, also won MVP for the event, with 9 hits, 6 stolen bases, 2 home runs, and 13 runners batted in. 

“In the beginning of the week, it was just hitting a lot of fastballs,” Arnold said, explaining what led up to him winning the award. “But towards the end of the week, it was just taking a lot of pitches and getting on base a lot.”

As to who has helped him improve recently, Arnold gave credit to two individuals specifically:

“I’d say definitely my dad. He’s always helped me with everything. Then, I’d say my hitting coach Leo, because I’ve been working with him a lot.”

However, it didn’t seem like the MVP award was the most memorable part for Arnold. When asked what would stick with him, he said:

“Definitely the championship. That’s the most important part for me. I just love winning. Losing makes me angry…it feels like we’ve been waiting for this one for a while.”

The team’s encouraging, fun dynamic was easy to feel throughout the tournament - especially as they showered each other with any ice, gatorade, or water they could find after their win. 

Their head coach, Brian Hucks, commended the boys’ strong sense of unity.

“We’ve got players from all over the country and to see how close they are and how much they pull for each other - it’s really something special,” Hucks said. “The Canes culture, I think, is what separates us from everybody else. And these guys love one another and they pull for one another.”

“I’ll remember how the dugout was a blast,” Torres smiled. “Everyone was hyped and everyone had good chemistry.”

“All these boys, I just met them,” Virag said. “It feels like I’ve known them forever. It’s a lot of fun being with these guys and it makes the game easier for me.”

“We all have this inside joke,” Slaymaker smiled. “It’s really funny. I’m not going to talk about it, but we just have a great time in here.”

Beyond the fun memories in the Canes’ dugout, Hucks said this win meant a lot to him and the program.

“SBA is an incredible program and they’ve got so many good players,” Hucks said. “But we feel like we deserve to be the best team in the country. We’ve been close so many times, and I’m just glad they finally found a way to get it done.”
 

Tournaments | Story | 9/29/2026

WWBA Champ. Pool Preview & Release

Perfect Game Staff
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It's the time of the year again when nearly every golf cart in the United States, or so it feels, flocks to Roger Dean and crowds the backstops, getting one last look at the top players in the country before the spring season. Below our staff breaks down every pool as we are set to release them in 10 minute increments, starting with Pool A and working all the way down to Pool DD. Once again laying claim as the champion of "Jupiter" will be no easy task as every pool game will be a battle just to advance to the bracket where the intensity of each pitch will multiple 10-fold.   Pool A Team Top Pos. Player RK Class Top Pitcher RK Class Location East Cobb/SD Padres ST Underclass Myles Tate 109 2028 Luke Crowder 174 2028 Marietta, GA Lonestar Baseball Club - National - 2027 Braylon Jones 309 2027 Owen Sieve 500 2027 Austin, TX Spects National 2027 Gominsky Charlie Sarsfield 99 2027...
Tournaments | Championship | 9/28/2026

ZT National Takes Down Sophomore

Hannah Jo Groves
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ZT National Prospects Hold Out to Win 2026 WWBA Sophomore Championship In a game that kept everyone guessing until the very end, the ZT National Prospects won the 2026 WWBA Sophomore Championship over Wow Factor/Toronto Blue Jays Scout Team 8-7. Over the past few days of the tournament, the usually cruel southwest Florida weather had been unusually kind - but the warmth of the sun had still taken energy out of both championship teams. They had finished hard-fought semifinal matches before walking from the backfields of JetBlue Park to the big-league stadium. Enzi-Yaw Otieku threw the first pitch for ZT National at 11:43 a.m. - and this highly anticipated championship match-up was underway. The first three outs came quickly for the ZT National Prospects with their defensive chemistry and strength on display right away. ZT’s head coach, Carlos Avila, expressed his happiness with his...
Tournaments | Story | 9/28/2026

WWBA Sophomore Scout Notes: Day 4

Perfect Game Staff
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WWBA Sophomore Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 Lukas Klipper (2029, Clearwater, Fla.) was electric at the plate, collecting six hits, highlighted by a monstrous home run off the batter's eye in his second game. High-level left-handed hitter with a really easy swing and functional actions. Klipper lived on the barrel throughout the game and showed off his run-producing ability in huge situations.  Lane Ayars (2029, Mount Juliet, TN) got the starting nod in round two and did not disappoint. The 6’4” left-handed pitcher tossed three scoreless innings, striking out four and allowing zero hits. Fastball up to 90 mph with some heavy arm-side run, with a slider that consistently was in the zone. Also collected two hits at the plate, showcasing a very simple approach.  Frankie Pagano (2029, Waukee, IA) was electric in relief, tossing three scoreless innings while...
Tournaments | Story | 9/27/2026

WWBA Sophomore Scout Notes: Day 3

Perfect Game Staff
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WWBA Sophomore Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 Ronin McCrea (2029, San Diego, Calif.) had an all-around performance at the plate, going two-for-two with two singles, two runs scored, and three RBIs. The right-handed hitter displayed a short, compact swing with a direct and efficient path to the baseball. McCrea showed excellent barrel control throughout the game, consistently producing hard line-drive contact to all parts of the field. Jayson Blanco (2029, Homestead, Fla.) was dominant on the mound, tossing a five-inning no-hitter while striking out six. The right-handed pitcher worked down the mound efficiently with a smooth, fluid delivery that helped him consistently attack the strike zone. Blanco featured a fastball that sat in the low-80s with sneaky life to it at the top of the zone, while mixing in a slower slider that generated swing-and-miss. Parker Miller (2029, Burleson,...
Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2026

WWBA Sophomore Scout Notes: Day 2

Perfect Game Staff
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WWBA Sophomore Scout Notes: Day 1 Rhys Jones (2029, Mc Lean, Va.) was absolutely dominant on the bump to start off day 2 hanging an impressive 10 strikeouts in 5 innings. Running the heater up to 84 with arm side run and the breaking ball got swings and misses. The strike percentage stayed right over 55%, and he carried a no hitter into the 6th. Easy arm action with a high 3/4 slot and controls the move down the rubber.  Jevan McMenamy (2029, Fargo, N.D.) was all around solid today tallying two hits, an rbi, and a walk. In the box he works to the middle of the field in the approach and can elevate to all fields. Coils deep into the back hip and works through contact with strength. Quick feet around the bases and the barrel is fast.  Khian Escalana (2029, Ankeny, Iowa) was a heavy producer in this one collecting three hits, two of those being doubles. Also drove in three RBIs...
Tournaments | Story | 9/24/2026

Windy City Fall Classic Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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‘28 LHP AJ Minderman (IL) works 5 stellar innings to finish what he started. He punched out 7 and was efficient in the zone. FB 75-78 CH 70-71 SL 69-71. Used Offspeed pitches as a weapon and in all counts. #WCFClassic pic.twitter.com/fpeRs3AK7k — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) September 21, 2026 AJ Minderman (2028, Geneva, Ill.) a 6-foot-1, 140-pound left-handed pitcher worked all five innings of his game on Sunday in impressive fashion. He punched out seven opposing hitters and allowed no runs. He showed great composure with runners aboard, stranding anyone who reached. He worked out of the stretch with a big leg kick and did a nice job of working downhill on the mound. The fastball was 75-78 mph and he used it heavily to the glove side. He kept the fastball down early and set hitters down by throwing it at the top of the zone. His changeup (70-71 mph) was used as his...
Tournaments | Story | 9/25/2026

WWBA Sophomore Scout Notes: Day 1

Perfect Game Staff
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'29 CIF Benjamin Mills (FL) absolutely loses this baseball across the street for a loud HR (101 EV/424'). Huge juice w/ ball explodes coming off. #WWBAWorlds @Florida_PG @PSTeams_ pic.twitter.com/0WUgIqyr6t — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) September 25, 2026 Benjamin Mills (2029, Miramar, Fl.) showed off some extremely impressive juice in the 8 PM match. The corner infielder blasted an absolute no-doubter out to left field, exploding off of the barrel and soaring deep into the night sky. The ball came off with a 101 MPH exit velocity and traveled 424 feet, bouncing across the street. Mills is built extra strong and physical, creating easy strength. The impact upside is significant and it should be fun to track how the power continues to develop. '29 SS Todd Dulaney (IL) crushes this ball off the LF fence for a loud 2B (93 EV). Simple parts & the impact comes easy....
Tournaments | Story | 9/24/2026

South Jupiter Qualifier Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Joshua Digulio (2027, Mont Belvieu, Texas) was a breakout performer for Texas Brigade 2027 - Gafford. Went 10-18 with a pair of doubles and a home run, while plating nine runs. Also showed some serious flashes defensively behind the plate. Physical frame with plenty of bat speed. Flatter bat path with a pull-side approach, geared towards backspinning with authority. Athletic backstop with tons of offensive upside. Dylan Buck (2027, Friendswood, Texas) put on a show for Up Top Prospects. Drove in 11 runs while going 5-11 with a pair of triples and a multi home run game on Saturday. Loose actions with a strong lower half. Adjusts well and generates plenty of torque as he works uphill. Serious power upside on display this weekend with more in that physical frame. Clyde Votaw (2027, Texas City, Texas) had a quality outing on the bump for Up Top Prospects. The Angelina College commit threw a...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 9/23/2026

PG Softball Twin Cities Elite Scouting Showcase

Ashley Mears
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2026 PG Softball Twin Cities Elite Scouting Showcase September 19th, 2026 Ashley Mears BLAINE, MN- Rain may have shortened the weekend but it didn’t shorten the competition. The tournament was STACKED with some of the top teams from South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. The 16u division came down to Midwest Speed 16U Nat’l Chell taking home the trophy and shutting out a tough MN Sting National-Makela team. The 18U division came down to Midwest Speed 18u Nat’l Koltes loaded team out slugging Mission 18u National. 16U Taitum Kostecka (2028 Princeton, MN) of Midwest Speed 16U Nat’l Chell was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year. Kostecka is a speedy left-handed power hitter who is one of the toughest outs around, as she did not strike out a single time throughout the weekend. Starting in an open stance, she uses a...
Tournaments | Story | 9/23/2026

Southeast Jupiter Qualifier Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Justin Mills (’27, Braselton, Ga.)- the 6-foot, 190-pound right-handed pitcher tossed a 6-inning complete game shutout for Dingers Scout in a 7-0 win over ECB Astros 18U Navy. The uncommitted Jackson County High School product struck out 12 batters and only walked one while controlling the zone at a 61% strike rate. Mills ran his fastball with arm side run up to 89 mph and consistently worked ahead in counts to stifle the Astros Navy lineup. He coupled it with a tight slider that showed late depth in the mid-70s to record eight swings-and-misses on the offering. A brilliant effort from Mills as he worked east and west while reading swings and avoiding barrels.   Brayden Barrett (’27, Canton, Ga.)- the 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed pitcher struck out six batters over 3 and 1/3 innings of relief for ECB Astros 18U Navy to get the win over Dirtbags Southeast. The...
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