2025 3B/1B Emma Knight and her Texas Bombers Gol 16U-Smith teammates won the Super Cup title this past weekend in Texas. Photo provided by Emma Knight's Twitter.
Uncommitted 2025 3B/1B Emma Knight of Texas Bombers Gold 16U-Smith has joined the Dugout Chatter Blogging Crew and she will be providing her insights and analysis all summer.
She’s off to a strong start so far. In 18 games and 35 at-bats, she’s batting .429 with a 1.576 OPS, 15 hits, six doubles, six HRs and 19 RBIs.
Here’s her blog for Monday, June 19, 2023:
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Emma Knight of Texas Bombers Gold 16U-Smith. Photo provided by Emma Knight.
It’s crazy to think as I’m writing this … it’s already June 19th. This summer is flying by and I feel like it really just got started.
So here is a little recap of my summer so far. It started with my high school team going to state. We did really (well), but sadly lost, 1-0, in the state semifinals to the future champions. We had a great season and I am so proud of what we accomplished. The state tournament ended on a Thursday and that Saturday travel ball started.
We have played three tournaments so far and done really well. I’ve started my summer off with six home runs for the season, and my team and I just won the Summer Cup this past weekend.
I am absolutely loving my team right now. I have some of the best teammates I could ask for and I’m proud to say I call all of them my best friends.
We are about to head up to Colorado this Wednesday to play the Patriot games and the (Triple Crown Colorado) Sparkler. I’m so excited to see what the rest of the summer awaits and cannot wait for these next following weeks!
— Emma Knight (Follow Emma on Twitter @emmalusoftball)
Uncommitted 2025 RHP Peyton Hardenburger, today's standout spotlight athlete from the Jayhawker State. Photo by Cheryl Diehl.
Get on board with Dugout Chatter’s regular feature, The Final Pitch!
We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
To contribute information, insights, thoughts or content ideas, email us at losstuff34@gmail.com, DM at @Los_Stuff on Twitter or text (949) 606-3602.
Here’s our TFP for Monday, June 19, 2023:
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THE FINAL PITCH: PEYTON HARDENBURGER
Uncommitted 2025 RHP Peyton Hardenburger recently talked to Dugout Chatter about Select Fastpitch 16U-Salazar, Wamego High, PGF Nationals and Triple Crown Colorado Sparkler, Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2024-Kaplan, no-hitters, future college, criminal psychology, math, Michael Jordan, Rihanna, “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” “Grown Ups 2” and whistling bird noises.
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A
Peyton Hardenburger of Select Fastpitch-Salazar. Photo by Cheryl Diehl.
Name: Peyton Hardenburger
Hometown: Wamego, KS
High School: Wamego High
Club Team: Select Fastpitch 16U-Salazar
Graduation Year: 2025
Height: 5-foot-7
Position: RHP
Nickname: Princess P. It began during a rainy game when I asked the ump for a new ball since it was slippery. My teammate (2024 3B/1B) Kendall Yarnell then called me a princess for switching the ball and I guess the name just began to stick. I guess it doesn’t help that I love to wear pink and everything I own is bedazzled.
Honors: Two-time 1st Team All-State; two-time 1st Team All-League; 4A KS Pitcher of the Year (2022); 4A KS 3rd Place (2022); 4A KS state champion (2023); school record for single-game strikeouts (21); and school record for season strikeouts (182).
Travel Ball Fall Stats: 8-1, 2.10 ERA, 45.2 IP, 14 ER and 70 percent-strike rate.
High School Stats: 11-0, 76 IP, 182 Ks, 0.18 ERA, 2 ER, 5 no-hitters, including 2 in state semifinals and championship game, 10 shutouts and .075 opposing batting average.
Travel Ball Summer Stats (so far): 16 IP, 1 ER, 0.34 ERA, 27 Ks and 73 perecnt-strike rate.
Peyton Hardenburger of Select Fastpitch-Salazar. Photo by Erin Brown.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I’ve been with Select Fastpitch for four years. I tried out the summer after 6th grade and never turned my back. I joined Select when they were a relatively small organization and have had the blessing to watch as it has grown to a nationally-known name. When I tried out, my family and I took a shot in the dark in hopes of chasing my dream of going to college as a softball player. Looking back at 6th grade Peyton, I am very grateful for my Coach Jason Salazar and Eric Jones for taking a chance on me considering my skill level back then. I will always be fortunate for them for seeing something in me I couldn’t back then.
Tell us about your high school team and how you did? My high school team recently took home its second state title in three years. Obviously, I didn’t take part in the first title, but getting to watch them take it home made me aspire for getting it myself. Placing 3rd my freshmen year put a fire in me I haven’t felt before. I worked every day since that loss mentally and physically to get to finally hold that plaque. This year, our team’s hard work finally paid off and we finished the season 22-1 and state champs. I will always have a special place in my heart for high school ball because of how I can play in front of my community and especially getting to play with my hometown friends.
What tournament/showcase/event are you looking forward to this summer and why? I always get excited for PGF Nationals in Huntington Beach, CA, since it’s new scenery, but I hold a special place in my heart for Aurora, CO, playing in the (Triple Crown) Sparkler. I’ve always had a fun time exploring the mountains and even getting to whitewater raft with my teammates. I also look forward to getting to play in the All-Star game where my friends and family can watch me on ESPN.
Peyton Hardenburger of Wamego High. Photo by Cheryl Diehl.
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? (Birmingham)Thunderbolts-Kaplan for sure. We’ve played them three times so far and each time has been a battle. They always keep me on my toes and challenge me to think outside the box each pitch.
How do you deal with no-hitters/perfect games? Do you have any superstitions? Though I’ve never thrown a perfect game I have had my fair share of no-hitters. I try not to think during the game about my stats or how many hits I’ve given up, but, to be honest, how can I not! I’m a very superstitious person but in the littlest ways possible. My routine before games always varies, but some things I do I get nervous because I’ll get a feeling that if I do it a different way something bad will happen during the game. It’s rigorous, but necessary.
What are you looking for in a future college? I, obviously, am looking to play at the highest, most competitive level no matter what college it is at. I take huge value in heart and community, so I want to take that wherever I go. I’ve always had the dream to not only be on a winning team, but to be a role player in the winning. I want to leave the program better than I found it and even leave a legacy other girls want to follow. I have huge goals and dreams for myself in college, some might say they’re too big, but I know there’s a college out there willing to have faith in me.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? My college major is still undecided, but I hope to possibly go into criminal psychology or even sports marketing. I don’t want my passion and IQ for the game to stop after college, so I plan to either commentate on sports or continue sports influencing through the digital world. On the other hand, a more serious career I want to pursue is Criminal Profiling. I plan to take on my love for psychology and understanding of how criminal intellect works through an older age, even possibly pursuing the FBI.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? Though we have a love hate relationship, I’d have to say math. For me, I love the feeling of solving a puzzle and I feel like math is a big puzzle you must put together. Plus, it’s certainly not easy, so it pushes me to really focus on learning it.
Who is your sports hero and why? 100 percent Michael Jordan. I know that’s a popular answer, but I look up to Jordan for a different reason. Sure growing up I admired his amazing skills, but as I grew into the athlete I am I learned to respect his mentality. He pushes himself and his teammates to a high level and understands what that takes. Hearing him and how his teammates talk about him, I realized we share a lot of the same mental approaches to the game.
What’s the best hype song and why? For sure, “All of the Lights” by Rihanna and Kanye. This never fails to get my adrenaline pumping before games and get me into the spirit to dominate.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? I could rewatch “The Summer I Turned Pretty” over and over. I fell in love with that show because of its summer feel and because I love Jenny Han movies.
What’s your favorite movie and why? “Grown Ups 2.” Growing up, I used to watch it with my dad all the time and each time it wouldn’t fail to make me laugh. How could I not with all of those funny actors!
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I never do it because I think it’s weird, but while trying to learn how to whistle I discovered I can make really good bird noises.
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NEWS & NOTES
OC Batbusters-Stith won the 18U title at the 2022 Top Club Nationals. Photo by Mike Stith.
***Top Club Nationals is Wednesday-Saturday, June 21-24, in OKC. Follow the tournament online HERE.
OC Batbusters-Stith is the defending 18U champion, Hotshots National-Jones is the defending 16U champion, Texas Glory 2K26 and Texas Glory-Naudin shared the 14U title last summer and Hotshots National 09 is the defending 12U champion.
***The inaugural Patriot Games Thursday-Saturday, June 22-24, in Windsor, CO, features teams in 14U, 16U and 18U competing for championships.
June 8-11 — PGF Show Me The Money in Gainesville/Newberry, FL (Champions — 14U: Tampa Mustangs 26/27-Fowler; 16: Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2024-Kaplan; 18U: Georgia Impact-Caymol)
June 15-18 — Top Gun Invitational in Kansas City, MO (Final day of tournament canceled due to rain)
June 15-18 — Team1 Elite Club Invitational in Shawnee/Lenexa/Kansas (Final day of tournament canceled due to rain)
June 16-18 — So Cal A’s Invitational at Harvard Park, CA (Champion — 18U: Arizona Storm National-Mathis)
June 21-24 — Top Club Nationals (14U, 16U & 18U) in OKC
June 22-24 — Patriot Games in Windsor, CO
June 22-25 — Scenic City Summer (14U, 16U & 18U) in Chattanooga, TN.
June 26-July 2 — Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July in Denver Metro, CO
June 27-July 2 — Independence Day Tournament in Boulder, CO
July 6-9 — Easton Rawlings Invitational (14U/16U/18U) in Glen Ellyn, IL
July 6-11 — USA Softball Junior Olympic Cup (14U, 16U & 18U) in Polk County, FL
July 10-13 — Triple Crown USA Nationals and Southeast Nationals in Alpharetta/Cumming, GA
July 13-16 — Triple Crown Southwest Nationals in Georgetown/Taylor/Austin, TX
July 16-23 — USA Softball GOLD Nationals (16U & 18U) in OKC
July 21-29 — PGF Nationals (18U Premier/18U Platinum/16UPremier/16U Platinum) in Orange County, CA
July 23-29 — Alliance Nationals (12U & 14U) in Indiana
July 30-Aug. 6 — PGF Nationals (14U Premier/14U Platinum/12U Premier/12U Platinum/10U Premier) in Orange County, CA
July 31-Aug. 6 — Alliance Nationals (16U & 18U) in So Cal
July 31-Aug. 6 — Alliance Nationals (10U East) in Indiana
July 31-Aug. 6 — Alliance Nationals (10U West) in So Cal
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
Arizona Storm National-Mathis captured its second consecutive So Cal A's Invitational title on Sunday at Harvard Park in Irvine, CA. Photo courtesy of Jocelyn Briski.
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SO CAL A’S INVITATIONAL — Order Of Finish (June 19, 2023)
AT HARVARD PARK, IRVINE CA
(Saturday-Sunday, June 17-18)
1. Arizona Storm National-Mathis
2. Wildcats-Weil
3. AASA-Merrida
4. Cal Cruisers-Sievers
T-5. Lady Magic-Boykin
T-5. Explosion Premier
T-5. Jersey Intensity-KOD
T-5. Firecrackers-TJ
T-9. So Cal Athletics-Richardson
T-9. Irvine Sting
T-9. Beverly Bandits Premier-Conroy
T-9. Cal Nuggets-Woods
T-9. BSC Bengals-Briggs
T-9. Sorcerer-Gabales/Rodriguez
T-9. LTG Lions-Henderson
T-9. So Cal Choppers-Fausett
T-17. Ohana Tigers-Quarles
T-17. Breakers Labs-Bobby
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
Arizona Storm National-Mathis captured its second consecutive So Cal A's Invitational title on Sunday at Harvard Park in Irvine, CA. Photo courtesy of Jocelyn Briski.
Arizona Storm National-Mathis beat Wildcats-Weil, 3-0, in the championship game of the So Cal A’s Invitational on Sunday at Harvard Park in Irvine, CA.
Storm-Mathis, which placed 7th at PGF 18U Premier Nationals last summer, claimed the 18U tournament title for the second consecutive year.
Storm-Mathis and Wildcats-Weil made it to one semifinal before the game was elevated to the championship game.
AASA-Merrida made it all the way to the other semifinal, including a 4-3 victory over Lady Magic-Boykin, before receiving a forfeit victory by Cal Cruisers-Sievers. AASA-Merrida chose to sit out the final.
“This title means to our team that no matter what happens, we can do it!!” UCLA-bound LHP/OF Kaitlyn Terry said. “it’s another accomplishment and many more to come! Moving forward is gonna be a fun ride … with all of our confidence and talent, it will be a fun one to watch! ”
Storm-Mathis beat Cal Cruisers-Sievers, 5-0, tied LTG Lions-Henderson, 0-0, and beat Lady Magic-Boykin, 6-0, and Breakers Labs-Bobby, 3-1, in pool-play games, then defeated Sorcerer-Gabales/Rodriguez, 3-2, Jersey Intensity-KOD, 7-0, and Wildcats-Weil, 3-0, in bracket play.
“Winning this tournament is a huge set up for (Triple Crown) Colorado (4th of July June 26-July 2) and the rest of the summer.” Alabama-bound RHP/1B Jocelyn Briski said. “Starting the summer off on a good note is just what we wanted and we feel more prepared going into the upcoming weeks. The entire team looked good and we were all connecting really well this weekend on both aspects of the ball, so it should be real exciting to see what we can accomplish as a team.”
Grand Canyon-bound SS/UT Savannah Groshong (.500 AVG), Michigan-committed 2024 OF Lauren Putz (.400 AVG) and uncommitted 2023 SS Salen Hawkins (.389 AVG) were the offensive standouts for Storm-Mathis throughout the tournament.
The pitching staff, which featured Terry (17 IP, 0 runs), New Mexico-committed 2024 RHP Natalie Fritz (9 IP, 0 runs) and Briski (14 IP, 3 runs), only gave up three runs all weekend.
“Our defense was stellar,” Storm coach Corey Mathis said, “leading the way up the middle with Salen Hawkins at SS and (LSU-bound MIF) Sierra Daniel.”
Sunday’s games at the Team1 Elite Club Summer Invitational in Kansas were canceled due to rain, Tournament director Ryan Taylor said.
The 18U Division at Shawnee at Mission Field in Overland Park, KS, the 16U Division at 3&2 Club West in Shawnee, KS, the 14U Division at 3&2 Club East in Lenexa, KS, and the 12U Division at 3&2 Club West played all of their pool play and bracket games from Thursday-Saturday.
The final day of the tournament will not be rescheduled.
TEAM1 ELITE CLUB SUMMER INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LINEAGE
— 2023 —
Final day of tournament canceled because of rain
— 2022 —-
18U: Athletics Mercado-Smith
16U: Athletics Mercado-Hovermale
14U: Louisville Lady Sluggers 07-Wathen
12U: Iowa Premier Black
— 2021 —
18U: Aces Fastpitch Club
16U: East Cobb Bullets 04-Mayfield
14U: Oklahoma Athletics 2004
12U: Aces Fastpitch Club
— 2020 —-
18U: Oklahoma Athletics-Yeatts
16U: Aces Fastpitch Black
14U: Iowa Premier
— 2019 —
18U: Iowa Premier
16U: Nebraska Premier
14U: Aces Fastpitch Club
— 2018 —
18U: Iowa Premier
16U: Illinois Force
14U: Aces Fastpitch Club
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
All of Sunday’s games at the Top Gun Invitational in Kansas were canceled due to rain, tournament director Robb Behmyer said.
Teams in the 18U Maverick Division and 16U Maverick Division at Mid America Softball Complex in Shawnee, KS, 14U Division at Blue Valley Recreation Sports Complex in Overland, KS, and 12U Division at Baker University in Baldwin City, KS, played all of their pool play and bracket games from Thursday-Saturday.
The final day of the tournament will not be rescheduled.
TOP GUN INVITATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LINEAGE
— 2023 —
Final day of tournament canceled because of rain
— 2022 —
14U Maverick: Texas Riptide
16U Maverick: Beverly Bandits-Dorsey
18U Maverick: Tennessee Mojo-Danley
— 2021 —
14U Maverick: Virginia Unity-Johnson/Ross
16U: Beverly Bandits-Cray
18U: Nebraska Gold National
— 2020 —
14U: Colorado Angels-Gaffin
16U: Minnesota Bombers-Acktez
18U: Indiana Shockwaves-Perry
— 2019 —
14U Maverick: Texas Glory-Naudin
16U Maverick: Texas Glory-Naudin
18U Maverick: Select Fastpitch-Jones
— 2018 —
14U: Texas Glory-Naudin
16U Maverick: Nebraska Gold-Gerdes
18U Maverick: Nebraska Gold-Swift
— 2017 —
14U Maverick: Impact Gold-Midlebrook
16U Maverick: Select Fastpitch-Jones
18U Maverick: Nebraska Quakes Prime
— 2016 —
14U: Topeka Angels
16U: Maverick: Teas Glory-Woodall
18U: Maverick: St. Louis Chaos
— 2015 —
Tournament director did not keep results
— 2014 —
Tournament director did not keep results
—2013 —
Tournament director did not keep results
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff)
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? My college major is still undecided, but I hope to possibly go into criminal psychology or even sports marketing. I don’t want my passion and IQ for the game to stop after college, so I plan to either commentate on sports or continue sports influencing through the digital world. On the other hand, a more serious career I want to pursue is Criminal Profiling. I plan to take on my love for psychology and understanding of how criminal intellect works through an older age, even possibly pursuing the FBI.
***The inaugural Patriot Games Thursday-Saturday, June 22-24, in Windsor, CO, features teams in 14U, 16U and 18U competing for championships.
***The 2023 Scenic City Summer is Thursday-Sunday, June 22-25, in Chattanooga, TN. Teams in 14U, 16U and 18U will compete for championships.
