Many of the country’s top 14U & 12U teams are at AFCS 3 July 31-Aug. 6 in Kokomo, IN. Here are Sunday’s highlights:
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BATBUSTERS WIN SPLIT & 14U NATIONAL TITLE
OC Batbusters-K. Stith/Black won the decisive game against Indiana Magic Gold-Bennett/Goddard, 9-2, to win the 14U national championship series on Sunday in the AFCS finals.
“I’m really proud of this team for their fight,” Batbusters coach Katie Stith said. “Indiana Magic is an incredible team with a lot of talent (in) the circle. We had to really battle offensively to come up with timely hits and eventually their hits starting finding gaps. All summer our pitchers performed well in the circle and that continued this week — all three of them were prepared to step on the mound when called upon.”
It was the first 14U Alliance national championship for Batbusters coach Katie Stith, whose father, Mike Stith, led the OC Batbusters to its second consecutive 18U Alliance national title last week.
IMG edged the Batbusters, 3-2, in Game 1 before the Batbudters rallied to win Game 2 and Game 3, 8-3 and 9-2.
2027 C Riley Hilliard went 2 for 4 with a three-run, inside-the-park homer, 2026 CF Kale’a Tindal 3 for 3 with a rin, an RBI and a steal, 2027 2B Reese Hilliard went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs and 2027 LF Mattea Stern went 1 for 4 with two runs for the Batbusters in the third game against IMG.
Tindal, who had a .611 AVG and .944 SLG for the tournament, was named Outstanding Player of the Tournament. 2026 P Liliana Escobar, 2026 3B/SS Natalie Keith and 2027 C/3B Riley Hilliard made the All-Tournament Team.
“I’m really grateful for this group — they made me a better coach and had incredible chemistry,” Katie Stith said. “They fought hard for each other and they weren’t going to give up until they won. What an incredible environment … great fields, great weather, competitive teams. Very memorable week.”
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ATHLETICS GO THE DISTANCE IN 12U TITLE WIN
Oklahoma Athletics 2010-Madden won two of three games over OC Batbusters-Stith/Juarez, 1-4, 8-3, and, 10-2, to capture the 12U Tier 1 national championship on Sunday in the AFCS finals.
P Marlee Collier and 2028 SS Jordan Collins were named the co-Most Outstanding Player and 2028 LF Teagan Duehning and 2028 3B Kennedy Walker made the All-Tournament Team.
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AFCS
AT KOKOMO, IN
(Sunday, Aug. 6, Results)
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
14U TIER 1
- Indiana Magic Gold-Bennett/Goddard 3, OC Batbusters-K. Stith/Black 2
- OC Batbusters-K. Stith/Black 8, Indiana Magic Gold-Bennett/Goddard 3
- OC Batbusters-K. Stith/Black 9, Indiana Magic Gold-Bennett/Goddard 2
14U TIER 2
- Texas Glory 2026-Naudin 9, American Freedom National 2027 1
- American Freedom National 2027 7, Texas Glory 2026-Naudin 6
- Texas Glory 2026-Naudin, 6 American Freedom National 2027 5
12U TIER 1
- OC Batbusters-Stith/Juarez 4, Oklahoma Athletics 2010-Madden 1
- Oklahoma Athletics 2010-Madden 8, OC Batbusters-Stith/Juarez 3
- Oklahoma Athletics 2010-Madden 10, OC Batbusters-Stith/Juarez 2
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff and Threads @los_stuff)
