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Tournaments  | Championship | 6/2/2026

EC Astros Win Back-And-Forth Thriller

Will Dembo
Photo: East Cobb Astros (Perfect Game)
In a highly anticipated matchup between two of the nation’s top 17u teams, the East Cobb Astros defeated eXposure National 9-8 in a thrilling extra-inning battle to claim the PG Southeast Elite Championship. The Astros completed the weekend undefeated, opening their summer season with a hard-fought, statement victory.

“I mean, it's fun, it's been a grind today,” said Astros Head Coach, Josh Burress. “Been out here a long day, but our guys are competitors, they come out compete, they want to compete and win, so it's just fun to watch them come out here and not quitting playing to the end... so the guys did very well today, and they competed all the way through.”



eXposure began the opening frame by taking the early lead on an error but quickly gave their lead away as the Astros came out of the gates hot, plating six runs in just the first inning. Mason Peek, who got the opening nod for eXposure, struggled to find the zone early, walking a trio of batters to commence the Astros’ rally before trading a run for an out on a fielder’s choice. The Astros were then able to capitalize further on the free bases given out as extra base hits from Astros’ outfielder Carson Bruce and catcher Skyler Lee helped give their pitcher great insurance heading into the following inning.

East Cobb starter, Cole Crawford, surrendered his first earned run of the contest, but was able to limit the damage while holding his team’s lead at four. Despite continued command issues, Peek was then able to get out of a jam in the following inning thanks to a phenomenal throw by eXposure Catcher, Mason Shelton, to keep the Astros off the board.

Fellow right-hander, Cash Fenhagen replaced Crawford in the third and did not allow a run in his first inning of work with the help of an inning-ending double play. Peek then made quick work of the Astros lineup to keep his squad in a four-run deficit with just four more chances to creep back into the contest.

With one out and bases loaded in the fourth inning, the tying run stepped to the plate in the form of first baseman Treyson Derry, who was able to work the count full before lining a base hit into right field, cutting the deficit to just two runs.

The Astros then caught a pivotal break as Fenhagen tagged out a runner trying to steal home off a wild pitch to the backstop before recording the third out two pitches later via strikeout. East Cobb was unable to add to its slim lead in the home half, however, as Peek retired all three Astros in order, marking his third straight scoreless inning following the rough start in the opening inning.

eXposure mounted its biggest threat of the afternoon in the fifth inning as the cleanup hitter Shelton came up to bat with bases loaded and just one out. Shelton delivered with a RBI single and Kayden Pledger was able to plate the tying run while drawing a walk.

The scoring did not end there though, as after an East Cobb pitching change with Takumi Yoshida entering in relief, shortstop Luke Lawson drove in yet another run to give eXposure a 7-6 lead with two outs. Yoshida, who is primarily a catcher, retired the next batter by groundout, doing his job by escaping the bases loaded jam while allowing just one run.

“I was just trying to get a win, try to throw strikes, try to keep my team in there, that’s all I really thought about.” Yoshida said on stepping up to the task despite the unusual pitching situation.

The Astros were able to tie the game back up at seven by taking advantage of a wild pitch with a runner on third base crossing home, and the back-and-forth battle headed into the sixth inning all knotted up.

Yoshida picked up right where he left off, striking out eXposure’s leadoff batter before getting the final two outs of the frame by flyout and sending his team to the home half of the inning while still tied.

It was then eXposure’s turn to send out a catcher to toss a scoreless frame as No. 3 prospect out of Tennessee, William Weber, held the dominant Astros offense to zero runs for the fourth time today.

The middle of eXposure’s order was able to put themselves in a prime position to break the tie as a hit and a walk put runners on first and third with just one out and Shelton at the plate. The Stetson commit was able to launch an off-speed pitch deep enough to score the runner from third on a sacrifice fly and the away team grabbed the lead.

Yoshida struck out the next batter and the Astros would enter the bottom of the 7th inning needing just one run to continue the ballgame.

Weber did not waste time, striking out the first two batters to get his squad just one out away from taking home a championship.

Arkansas commit CJ Wall came up to bat needing to get on base to continue his team’s hopes, and the No. 7 prospect out of Georgia unloaded on a 0-1 fastball, sending it deep into the trees and tying the game once again at 8-8.

“I just didn't want to be the last out,” Wall though as he stepped up to the plate in the crucial situation. “I didn't want to get walked, so I just put the bat on the ball, and it flew.”

Hayes Maginnis was able to keep their momentum going with a double to put the winning run in scoring position, but Weber and eXposure were able to send the game to extra innings after a pop out.

Yoshida was able to keep the score even at eight and gave his offense a chance to walk off the championship in the bottom of the eighth.

The Astros did just that as a leadoff double from speedy Elias Gandy set up a prime opportunity for the offense and Arkansas commit, Bear Calvo, was able to capitalize by sending a bloop single into right field to bring home the game winning run for East Cobb.

“It's great because we're starting this summer pretty hot with the W in the first tournament that we've had, and honestly, just feels good to have that camaraderie and a good chemistry as a team to go post up a W in a big tournament.” Calvo said after delivering the game winning knock to send his team home happy with a victory.
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Tournaments | Story | 6/17/2026

UBC South Scout Notes: Days 3-5
Perfect Game Staff
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Jonell Rodriguez (2027, Spring, Texas) continued his absolute tear this weekend with Banditos 2027 Scout. The Houston commit finished the weekend 7-12 with three triples and two doubles, reaching base a staggering eleven times over the course of the tournament. Super twitchy athlete who is starting to tap into more power this summer. Has always been extremely productive but seems to have leveled up. He has an argument for being the most dynamic player in the state with his 2026 performances. William Bishop (2028, San Antonio, Texas) was a breakout star this weekend for Texas Angels 2028 Lisbon. Was an impossible out this weekend, going 10-14 with five doubles, a triple, and a home run, while driving in eight runs. Uber physical lower half that rotates easily, not a ton of wasted movement in the swing process. Was such a tough matchup for every single arm he faced at UBC. Will Rainer...
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Softball | Softball Tournament | 6/17/2026

Perfect Game Softball Route 66 Summer Showcase

Dave Durbala
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SPRINGFIELD, IL - Perfect Game Softball Route 66 Summer Showcase, June 13-14, 2026. Twenty-Seven teams, representing the 14u and High School Divisions, arrived at the newly opened all turfed Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe, for the opportunity to showcase their talent in a five game guarantee format. As with anytime we bring a group of players together for competition, there will be those players that rise to the challenge and turn in performances that earn them a place on our Top Performers list.  Below are some of the players, from both divisions, that were recognized as top performers. 14U Division Kinley Abrams (2030 Bloomington, IL) is a RHH for Texas Glory IL-2030 (Wyatt). Setting up in a slightly wide parallel stance, into her back leg, Abrams gains separation with a  push back to transfer weight, and then utilizes a small stride to launch her swing. Abrams works a...
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Tournaments | Championship | 6/17/2026

Braves Capture WWBA East Title

Kinley Kitchens
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By the end of championship Monday, the Atlanta Braves Scout Team had done much more than win a title. They had validated everything they believed they could become. After an undefeated run through the 2026 PG East WWBA Championship, the Braves captured the 15U championship with an 8-2 victory, finishing off a dominant weekend that featured elite pitching, explosive offense, and contributions throughout the roster. For coach Jed Douglas, the championship represented the results of months of practice, preparation, and a vision that finally came together. “This is our first championship with this group,” Douglas said. “We finally brought it together and for the first time, everything seemed to work just as we designed it when we were building the team, and it was just beautiful this way.” The Braves backed up that vision with one of the most impressive offensive...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/16/2026

PG Summer Showdown Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Mason Kennerly (2028, Decatur, Ga.) hit .429 with a .667 OBP, five walks and three RBI in four games last week. He’s already showing the tools to be a big-time power bat in his class, and standing at 6’2 with an athletic frame, he’s one of the more projectable players we saw this weekend. His mechanics play into his size well, creating good hand separation from body on his load, using a medium-high leg kick, and getting a wide base when going into his launch. He uses every bit of his size and natural strength to create a violent swing. He’s got the makings of a really solid prospect, and as he develops and his approach matures, he’ll become a guy that college coaches keep at the top of their radar.  ‘27 Grant Barden (GA) up to 90 mph on the hill. Loose on the mound, whippy arm action. Four pitch mix; FB 87-90, CB 71-72, SL 76-78, CH 79-81. Mixed...
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General | Blog | 6/16/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 66

Ron Wolforth
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  The Number That Just Killed MLB Expansion: 1,217   USA Today's Bob Nightengale dropped a bomb shell recently that the baseball world is still digesting. Major League Baseball wants to expand to 32 teams. Team executives are quietly opposing it and the reason has nothing to do with cities or money.   They cannot find enough healthy pitchers.   Between 2020 and 2024, professional baseball performed 1,026 Tommy John surgeries at the minor-league level alone. Another 191 at the Major League level. More than twelve hundred elbow reconstructions in five years on the best young pitchers in the world.   That is not bad luck. That is a system reporting a verdict on itself.   For fifteen years, the youth-baseball industry has chased one number: velocity significantly more than projectability and arm care.    Recruiters scout by it.    Social...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/17/2026

Ohio Valley Select Invite Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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‘27 OF Bryson Rhodes (NE) continues to swing a hot bat in the week. Hammers this single UTM. Bat speed really plays & displays a direct barrel path. #OVSelect @PGMidwestBB @brysonrhodes_ pic.twitter.com/TyK8QI3a70 — Perfect Game Ohio Valley (@PG_OhioValley) June 13, 2026 Bryson Rhodes (2027, Lincoln, Neb.) Rhodes found himself on a tear over the four days, finishing inside the top five in batting top performers. In four games, the uncommitted junior tallied seven hits in twelve at-bats. Of those seven hits, three went for extra bases, including a home run. Short direct stride to impact that displayed well above average bat speed. Worked the middle of the field to pull side. Hard, impactful barrels throughout and was a catalyst as a top of the order bat.     ‘28 RHP Asher Visconti (OH) struck out 7 in his five innings of work. Only allowed one hit...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/16/2026

PG Ascendant Classic Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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‘27 MIF Kyler Claunch (KY) took home MVP honors in the #Ascendant26 @claunch_kyler Set the tone out of the leadoff spot for @CincySpikes & showed + bat-to-ball .538 AVG/.714 OBP | 7 H/7 RS | 6 BB | 5 SB @EKUBaseball is getting a guy. https://t.co/wGL9E0XmQ6 pic.twitter.com/kvZQwxEXup — Jordan Gates (@JGatesPG) June 14, 2026 Kyler Claunch (2027, Harrodsburg, Ky.) The Eastern Kentucky commit took home the MVP honors after an excellent performance throughout the weekend. Claunch tied for the lead in hits on the weekend with seven. Finished as the second top performer in batting but probably would have been higher if he wasn’t the leadoff hitter. Despite the low RBI’s, Claunch delivered a six-game sample size that included a .538 average and .714 on base. It’s a contact-oriented swing that showed plus ability when it came to bat-to-ball skills. Swiped five...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/16/2026

UBC West Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Perfect Game Staff
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UBC West Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Lucca Bacigalupi (‘30,CA) helps himself out at the plate racking up 2 hits & 2 RBI including a HR. Have a day young man. #UBCWest https://t.co/z2wAGXgavZ pic.twitter.com/Ilh7kU8K10 — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 13, 2026 Lucca Bacigalupi, C/RHP, Petaluma, Calif. Alpha Prime (2030) Bacigalupi is a versatile two-way prospect who continues to stand out with his size, arm strength and offensive ability. On the mound, the right-hander threw three solid innings, allowing three hits while striking out three over 69 pitches. His fastball touched 83 mph with decent life and he mixed in a serviceable breaking ball that he threw for strikes. The delivery looks clean, repeatable, and athletic. The combination of mound presence and bat production makes him an intriguing follow in the 2030 class. Ethan Duffy (‘30,CA) posted 4 strong...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/16/2026

UBC East Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Perfect Game Staff
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2030 SS/RHP Brooks Minarik (Fort Mill, S.C.) showed nice things on both sides of the ball in the first day, getting some work on the mound where he was mid-80s for the most part and showed real feel for spin, while offensively he had a triple later in the day where he showed the easy bat speed he generates, and the power upside that’s in the profile long-term. It’s easy to like what the upside could be here. 2029 C/OF Finn Friesz-Fraley (New York, N.Y.) had one of the biggest swings of the day in the 14s as he launched a go-ahead 3-run home run that ended up pushing Ghost to 2-0 on the day. He’s a good pure hitter with a solid foundation of tools, showing some feel to hit with impact, including the fact that there’s athleticism to the profile to build on at a couple different positions. 2030 OF Aahrion Hermosura (Las Vegas, Nev.) had a couple knocks on the first...
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Tournaments | Story | 6/15/2026

Braves Scout Team Keep Winning In Hoover

Kinley Kitchens
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Through big wins and making their way into the championship bracket, the Atlanta Braves Scout Team has done exactly what every team hopes to do at a major Perfect Game event: keep winning.  Now undefeated and preparing for the semifinals, the Braves have established themselves as one of the top teams remaining in the 15U division. Dominant pitching performances, timely hitting, and a lineup full of contributors have powered the team through a strong weekend in Hoover.  The Braves opened the tournament with a statement performance behind right-hander Daylen Woods, who tossed a five-inning no-hitter while striking out six. Woods also helped his own cause offensively with three hits and two runs scored as the Atlanta Braves Scout Team rolled to victory. The momentum continued with a 10-3 win over Wow Factor Nation 15U, as Sam Ridley allowed just one hit across four innings while...
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