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Tournaments  | Championship | 9/28/2026

ZT National Takes Down Sophomore

Hannah Jo Groves
Photo: ZT National (Perfect Game)
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 team’s efforts on defense:

“Honestly, they work their butts off. Their off-season, what they do before games in preparation - we pride ourselves in our defense.”

Nateo Victorio had a lead-off walk to bring up Brandon Manivong, who singled to shallow centerfield. Next in the order came Noah Jarolimek, whose hit brought Victorio home after a bobble from Wow Factor’s defense. Another walk dealt to Kannon Derry loaded the bases and a wild pitch allowed Manivong to cross home plate to make it 2-0 with one out. A fielder’s choice and a strikeout ended the first inning.

The positive momentum for ZT continued as they executed a beautiful double play early in the second. A strikeout from Otieku ramped things up even more as ZT held Wow Factor, at that point, to two scoreless frames.

Mark Thompson led off the bottom of the second with a four-pitch walk. A hard-fought at-bat by Daaniyal Badar resulted in another walk and a bunt from Earon Ramirez loaded the bases with no outs. A sacrifice fly from Victorio sent Thompson across home plate. Another walk loaded the bases for Jarolimek, who doubled to bring Badar and Ramirez home and make the score 5-0.

Jarolimek described his mindset as he stepped up to the plate before hitting his RBI double:

“I’m just trying to get my job done and get as much runs as possible as I can in so I can help my team out…just staying within myself and not trying to get too big up on the plate and try to go backside, hit some line drives and do my job.”

A hit-by-pitch loaded the bases once again as Wow Factor brought in a reliever. Jordan Leon plated another runner on a line drive to left, but a fly-out and a strikeout ended what was a long inning for Wow Factor.

Starting off the third, Jordan Duenas hit a leadoff single and advanced to second, then third on wild pitches. Jett Wilson walked and a well-struck ball by Easton Housewright to the green monster scored Wow Factor’s first two runs. Another walk put runners on the corners with two outs and a balk scored Housewright. A fly-out ended the top of the third with the score standing at 6-3.

Wow Factor’s defense showed off some fluidity as Roman Dunn picked off a runner for the second out of the bottom of the third, and a beautiful throw from third to first base ended Wow Factor’s first shutout inning of the game.

But ZT’s defense would not let up, tracking down fly balls for outs and Otieku striking out the final batter of the frame.

Otieku finished his day with 77 pitches and 5 strikeouts. His fastball topped out at 92 mph while staying in that high-80s, low-90s range. He also used a low-80s slider to his advantage in his championship outing.

Manivong walked in the leadoff spot in the bottom of the fourth, then advanced to second, then third on wild pitches. Jarolimek grounded out to second to plate Manivong and Kannon Derry drove a single, then stole second. Easton O’Quinn showed off his speed, outrunning the throw to first to put runners on the corners, then stealing second. A balk scored another runner, but a fly-out ended the fourth - the score 8-3.

JJ Lott walked off four pitches to start the fifth and Jett Wilson singled on the first pitch of his at-bat. Another walk loaded the bases for Wow Factor and tensions rose as the parents and friends in JetBlue Park sat up in their seats as this opportunity is exactly what Wow Factor needed, down at this point by 5 runs. ZT changed out their pitcher to stop Wow Factor’s momentum and do what they could to prevent them from executing in this scenario.

The ZT supporters cheered as right-handed pitcher Nolan Clark struck out his first batter with 4 pitches. However, Lukas Klipper managed to ground out to score Lott in the next at-bat - then Anderson McAfee chopped one down the left field line to score another runner. ZT’s centerfielder, Thompson was able to shut down the scoring, tracking down a well-struck ball by Lane Ayers for a fly-out. Wow Factor managed to close the gap and make the score 8-6 in the top of the fifth.

Leading off the bottom of the fifth, Badar walked, then advanced on a wild pitch. After another walk and a strikeout, Wow Factor executed a pretty, 4-6-3 double play to get another shutout inning.

ZT showed its continued fight as Derry dove into shallow left field for the first out of the frame. But Hudson Sage got the Wow Factor momentum up again as he blasted a double to center. Once again, ZT changed pitchers with one on and one out in the top of the sixth. This move proved helpful, as ZT’s right-hander Jordan Leon struck out the first batter he saw. But Wow Factor wasn’t done fighting yet - as another walk put another runner on base and Wilson drove one out to right field to bring Sage home - making the score 8-7. Now only down by one run, Leon managed a strikeout to close the top of the sixth.

Though ZT’s Leon was able to single, that would be the only batter to reach as Wow Factor was able to keep ZT from adding any insurance runs.

Leon took the mound for the top of the seventh - hoping he and his team could keep Wow Factor at bay for the next three outs to close out the championship win. Through long at-bats, Wow Factor’s Housewright and Klipper both hit singles, but ZT was able to get both the runners out with a double play. Finally, with a full count, Leon threw a curveball for the final strikeout of the game - sealing ZT’s win.

In his 1.2, shut-out innings of work, Leon struck out 3 batters with 41 pitches and an upper-70s fastball.

After the game, Leon was awarded the tournament’s most valuable player. He said the award marked the start of a new era for him.

“It’s good, you know?” Leon said. “I’ve been quiet for a little bit, but I’m starting to make my name again...my dad, he’s been staying on me to just get stuff done. Coach Carlos, he’s been helping me out a lot - training with him, infield work and all that. Just the team, too.”

Avila said he had a simple message for his team going into this championship game:

“Most importantly, the main thing is just making sure that they’re having fun, keeping it loose, cracking jokes. It’s a tough game and it’s a tough environment. It’s a tough tournament…there’s a lot of pressure on these kids at a young age. So, for them to come out here, win or lose and compete and have fun, it’s the most important thing.”

Avila’s message seemed to have a lasting impact on Leon and Jarolimek when asked what they’ll remember about this tournament.

“Just being able to see each other before high school - last tournament having fun together,” Leon said.

“We just had a great time,” Jarolimek said. “First fall tournament back for a good minute and got to all see each other. We all miss each other. And we balled out.”
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