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Tournaments  | Championship | 6/28/2026

"Why not us?" Canes MW Take 14u WWBA

Kinley Kitchens
Every championship team has an identity.

For Canes Midwest 14U National, it could be summed up in three simple words.



"Why not us?"

That became the team’s motto throughout the week, and by championship day, the players had turned those words into reality.

Canes Midwest capped off a memorable tournament with a 8-4 victory over Canes National 14U, finishing an undefeated 11-0 run over six days while proving they belonged among the nation’s top teams. It was a championship built on timely hitting, dominant defense, relentless grit, and a belief that never wavered.

For Coach Steiner, the title represented far more that simply winning another tournament.

“It has been an unbelievable experience for us,” Steiner said. “Some people call us a mid-major, so I guess we are now solidified as being one of the top programs in the country.”

That belief carried the team throughout a tournament filled with some of the nation’s best competition.

“Our slogan for the tournament was ‘Why not us?’” Steiner said. “They kept showing a lot of heart. We talked about being gritty and never quitting.”

The championship game reflected exactly that mentality.

Canes Midwest collected 13 hits in the victory, with Deacon Barile, Vance Gabey, John Benson, and Harrison Brown each recording multi-hit performances. Five different players drove in runs, highlighting the balanced offense that powered the club through the tournament. On the mound, Gabey, who is normally known as an infielder, stepped up and threw 5.2 strong innings before Jp Gadient closed out the final four outs.

One of the biggest stories throughout the week belonged to Lenox McKeon.

The Indiana catcher not only finished among the tournament’s top performers but also earned Tournament MVP honors after another outstanding week behind the plate and in the batter’s box.

“It means a lot.” McKeon said. “It took a lot of heart. It took a lot of grind. We had some injuries in the past, and I think we showed a lot of grit and played through it.”

McKeon believes one of the biggest reasons for the team’s success was the trust shared throughout the roster.

“I trusted all my guys,” McKeon said. “I knew that if I didn’t step up, they would step up for me, so there was no pressure.”

That trust extended to his relationship with the pitching staff.

“Communication,” McKeon said when asked what worked so well throughout the championship game. “He and I were on the same level. Nobody got crossed up and we synced up nicely.”

While McKeon anchored the defense behind the plate, Gabey embraced one of the biggest challenges of the tournament.

Known primarily as a shortstop, the Indiana native was handed the ball for just his second pitching performance of the season and he delivered.

“I just kept breathing,” Gabey said. “I knew I had a good defense behind my back, and I just kept pitching and throwing strikes.”

Gabey admitted the situation was unfamiliar, but he never let the moment become too big.

“I don’t really pitch,” Gabey said with a smile. “I just went up there and gave it all I had.”

The confidence came from the players surrounding him.

“I think it is very important,” Gabey said of establishing confidence early as a new pitcher. “They hadn’t seen me yet, and I just went up there and trusted myself and my team around me.”

That same trust was shared throughout every interview after the game.

Third baseman Deacon Barlie, one of Indiana’s highest-ranked players in the 14U division, pointed to the resilience the team had built throughout the summer so far.

“It means everything,” Barlie said. “We had a long tournament, but the pitching was amazing and everybody came out and played their heart out. Last weekend we only had nine healthy players, so to win this means so much.”

For Harrison Brown, the championship was another example of what makes this team special.

“It means a lot,” Brown said. “We’re a family, and we like to stick together.”

Brown also credited the defense that consistently made plays throughout the tournament.

“I just trusted my defense,” Brown said. “We have one of the best defenses in the country, so having that behind me helps me a lot.”

Even after winning the championship, the team’s attention was already looking ahead.

“We have two big tournaments the next two weeks,” Barlie said. “We’ll continue to train hard and play hard.”

McKeon hopes to build on the bond the team created throughout the week.

“I feel like we got a lot closer through the grind in this long tournament,” McKeon said.

Gabey’s goal was even simpler.

“We’re going to go win the next tournament in North Carolina!”

For a team that spent the week embracing an underdog mentality, there may not have been a better ending.

A program that some viewed as a “mid-major” finished undefeated.

A shortstop became a championship winning pitcher.

A catcher earned Tournament MVP.

A roster that battled injuries throughout the summer came together at exactly the right time.

By the time the final out was recorded, the answer to the team’s slogan was clear.

Why not them?

 
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Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 2
Jordan Gates
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UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 1 ‘27 RHP Alexander Kakach (MN) displayed present arm strength and some feel to spin. The #Creighton commit was up to 93 mph with the FB (89-93), while the SL showed two plane break at 79-84 mph. Mixed in CT at 84-86 with tight action in the zone. #UBCMW @MNIcemen @PG_WiscMinn pic.twitter.com/TlrOnNDIcd — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 18, 2026 Alexander Kakach (2027, Plymouth, Minn.) of MN Icemen 17U Gominsky displayed intriguing upside on the mound, striking out five over 4.0 innings while running the fastball up to 93 mph with ride. The 6-foot, 180-pound right-hander and Creighton commit paired the fastball with a low-80s slider that flashed two-plane break and a cutter that played well off the mix. Kakach worked with a loose, quick arm from a high three-quarter slot, creating quality movement across his mix while displaying...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/22/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 5

Perfect Game Staff
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15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 Noah Rumley (‘29 NC) has been up to 90 so far in this start w/ 8 Ks in 4 innings of work. Really jumps out of the hand at foot strike w/ some ride to it; has also mixed in a SL w/ horizontal action. #WWBA @PG_Coastal pic.twitter.com/OcU57a3Syl — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 21, 2026 Noah Rumley (2029, Summerfield, N.C.) got the ball for GBC Lopez 2029 15u in their final game of pool play and dominated, going up against a tough lineup in the East Cobb Astros. The 6-foot-2 left-handed pitcher ended up going five innings, allowing only one hit and one run, while striking out nine. It’s premium stuff at the 15u level as he worked easily in the upper-80s, topping at 90 mph in the first. The breaking ball showed two-plane shape in the upper-70s as well. There’s a ton of things to like already and even...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/22/2026

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Emily Hicks
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Another week of Perfect Game baseball concluded as champions were crowned in the 15U, 16U, and 18U divisions of the Southwest Select Championship. After several days of pool play and championship bracket action, three teams rose above the competition to capture tournament titles following a week of high-level baseball. Throughout the tournament, teams from across the Southwest and beyond competed in closely contested matchups, producing standout pitching performances, timely offense, and memorable defensive plays. As the bracket narrowed, each division featured championship-caliber baseball before the final trophies were awarded. 15U Championship The 15U division title was claimed by AZ Prodigy, who defeated Nomadic 14U Premier by a score of 2-1 in the championship game. After putting together a strong tournament run, AZ Prodigy continued its momentum in the title game with contributions...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

Battle for the Windy City Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Tyler Osmanski (2027, Frankfort, Ill.) a 5-foot-11 160-pound right-handed pitcher worked a 7 inning complete game shutout to start off Chicago Elite’s 6-0 weekend. On top of going the distance he allowed only three base runners and one hit. Osmanski has lots of athleticism in his delivery. He keeps his body under control while still being able to have good arm action and great hip to shoulder separation. He works from the third base side of the rubber with a high ¾ arm slot. His fastball was up to 84mph multiple times and sat 80-83mph. He used two offspeed pitches, a good 12-6 breaking ball 65-68mph, and a changeup in the low 70’s.     ‘27 RHP Brett Alkire (IL) punched out everyone across his 5.2 inning masterful outing. He struck out 13 batters and did it on 66% strikes. Has an active arm action and kept the ball on the corners. FB T92 early w/...
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All American Game | Story | 7/22/2026

PG All-American Classic Roster Reveal

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  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME ANNOUNCES TEAM ROSTERS FOR 2026 DICK'S ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC AT CITIZENS BANK PARK   The rosters span 20 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Canada, with California leading the way Jersey City's Finnian O'Loughlin gives the host region a player in the spotlight Field includes sons of Hall of Famer Frank Thomas & MLB All-Star Brad Hawpe   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Wednesday, July 22, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced the Team East and Team West rosters for the 2026 DICK'S All-American Classic, set for Sunday, August 16 at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. The 60-player field represents the top...
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Tournaments | Championship | 7/22/2026

Florida Burn Cruise to 17U BCS Crown

Alyssa Golden
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Ranked fifth nationally entering the tournament, Florida Burn 2027 Scout left no doubt who the best team was at the 17U BCS National Championship. Burn finished a perfect 9-0 tournament, earning an 11-1 semifinal victory before defeating No. 86-ranked Original Florida Pokers 2027 National, 9-1, Tuesday afternoon at JetBlue Park. Burn seized control early and never looked back in a game that ended after the fifth inning per Perfect Game’s mercy rule. Burn carried its explosive offense into the championship game as Braedon Mackay launched a two-run home run in the first inning, giving his team an early 2-0 lead. Mackay’s home run sparked a five-run opening inning, setting the tone for the rest of the afternoon. The Florida commit later earned tournament MVP honors after helping lead Burn to an unbeaten championship run. “I was just trying to get something started,”...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/22/2026

17u BCS Scout Notes: Days 2-3

Perfect Game Staff
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17u BCS Scout Notes: Day 1 Kenniel Nieves Medero (2027 SS, PR)  Nieves Medero put together another quality offensive showing, continuing the consistent production he displayed throughout the tournament. The 8.5 PG grade shortstop features quick hands and does an excellent job creating separation with strong hip rotation, allowing him to generate easy bat speed through the zone. The swing remains balanced and efficient with present feel for the barrel. A polished offensive profile with tools that continue to translate in game action.  Oscar Cambero (2027 3B, FL)  Cambero turned in an impressive offensive performance, smoking a triple into the gap while showcasing both speed and gap-to-gap power. The right-handed hitter generates quality bat speed and consistently impacts the baseball with authority. Plays with a high motor on both sides of the ball and competes with energy...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/22/2026

Texas Region Scout Notes

Geoff Billock
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Jack Soete (2028, Houston, Texas) had a big weekend for HP 2028 Woods. Went 4-9 at the plate with two doubles and a home run. Strong approach at the top of the order as well, drawing five walks. Closed stance with an athletic, projectable frame. Gains ground on the stride and stays on plane with his swing. Bat-to-ball ability is present and power should continue to develop. Lot to like from the athletic, left-handed bat. Kai Anderson (2028, Missouri City, Texas) was an absolute force for 2028 South Texas Sliders 16U Pierce. Went 4-8 with two doubles, six runs batted in, and a no-doubt walk-off home run in the semifinal. Some physicality in the frame. Leverages the upper half decently as he shows some ability to elevate with more than enough juice. Some pretty serious flashes as a middle of the order bat at the next level. Valentin Ceballos (2028, New Braunfels, Texas) was extremely loud...
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PG Select Baseball Festival | General | 7/21/2026

13u Select Festival Roster Reveal

Jheremy Brown
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With the completion of the 2026 13u National Showcase, an event that featured some of the best talent the age group has to offer, 42 players came out with the label of "Festivaler" as they received a phone call shortly after the event concluded. Moving back to the University of Tennessee after a two year stay at the University of Virginia, Ole Rocky Top will see a mixed bag of returners; three-timers, new faces and a couple who bridged the gap from the 11u game into the 13u iteration.  Of the 42 players, 9 players call Florida their home base which is the most of any state while Texas (8), California (7) and Georgia (5) are all close behind nearly three-quarters of the players selected. In total 17 different states are represented, from Hawaii to Arkansas, Washington to Maryland and everywhere in between.  Quick roster breakdown: Three-time Select Festival: 13 players ...
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Tournaments | Story | 7/21/2026

UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 1

Blaine Peterson
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Jack Postma (2028, Barrington, IL) made an impression in Chicago this week. A 6-foot-5 right hander with a starter pitch mix. Topped out at 93 in his outing at UBC Midwest and pitched at 88-93 for 2 innings on the mound. Slider showed late horizontal bite at its best when finished out front. Change up is a usable third pitch with fading action and ability to miss bats. Clean overall operation in the delivery. Upside with added stability in the arm action. Chance to be one of the top prospects in Illinois and potentially the country with necessary adjustments moving forward.  Connor Basinski (2028, Columbia, IL) an athletic player with 2-way potential. Physicality stands out for a player in the 2028 class. Swung the bat impressively well in Chicago. Hits from a wide stance and stays balanced using strength and leverage to drive the baseball to all fields. Launched a long pull side...
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