TN Mojo 2024 Hughes Play as One

Tennessee Mojo Hughes Batter 21

by Rachel Pfeiffer – Fastpitch Network

TN Mojo 2024 Hughes has featured a core group of players since they were in 10U, and Coach Michele Hughes believes that this talented core staying together has been key for the team’s success.

“Because the core group of these girls has been together for so long, they know each other really well, and they really play as one cohesive unit,” she said.

TN Mojo Hughes boasted a 45-11 record last year, including a third-place finish at Triple Crown Southwest Nationals and a top 20 finish at the Colorado Sparklers Power Pool. The team hopes to build on their success this year. As the players have gotten older, Hughes has been encouraged by how they’ve matured and taken responsibility.

Tennessee Mojo Hughes Team Photo
Tennessee Mojo Hughes Team Photo
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Jayden Heavener Pitching and Hitting for the Next Level

Jayden Heavener 00 Virginia Unity Josh Johnson Portrait

by Ross Jacobs – Fastpitch Network

When you look at the top players in the Class of 2024, you don’t need to scroll far to find Jayden Heavener’s name. The 15-year-old hard throwing lefty is ranked as the #11 overall prospect on Fastpitch Network and #1 prospect on Xtra Innings.

The sophomore pitcher from Pensacola, who also plays first, joined Josh Johnson’s Virginia Unity 16U team in late summer and made an immediate impact. The Johnson/Ross team which combined players from two different teams, went 25-3-2 over the fall and Heavener was spectacular. She pitched 57 innings going 11-0, surrendering just 22 hits with 116 strike outs, a 0.73 ERA and opponents hit just .117 with her on the bump. Heavener struck out 11 batters in three different games this fall.

Jayden Heavener 00 Virginia Unity Josh Johnson Portrait Purple
Jayden Heavener 00 Virginia Unity Josh Johnson Portrait Purple
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Beverly Bandits-Chow Know Nothing Comes Easy

Beverly Bandits-Chow 16U

by Rachel Pfeiffer – Fastpitch Network

Beverly Bandits-Chow, one of the organization’s four 16U teams, boasts a talented roster with players from multiple states. However, playing top competition from around the country reminds them that nothing comes easy. In the PGF Show Me the Money tournament this past summer, the team dropped a couple of games in pool play. Coach Tony Michalski explains that some of the adversity the Bandits faced early on meant the team had to remember to trust each other and their coaches.

“Once they trusted and believed in the process and what we had to do, we figured it out,” he says. The Bandits battled back from their early losses to make it all the way to the championship game, which ended up being rained out. Regardless, Michalski recognizes that he has the opportunity to coach a unique team.

Beverly Bandits Chow Fall 2021
Beverly Bandits – Chow Fall Schedule 2021
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Beverly Bandits DeMarini-Yates Growing Up in Many Respects

Thomas Ryleigh pitching Beverly Bandits Demarini Yates

by Kyle Parmley – Fastpitch Network

Jim Yates has watched his team grow up before his eyes, in stature as well as ability.

The majority of his Beverly Bandits DeMarini 16u team is composed of players that have been playing together for many years, even before they became a Bandits team at the 12u level.

That first year as a Bandits team, Yates took them to the PGF Nationals. So, he’s known for a while he’s got a group of girls with plenty of potential. Not only are they talented and becoming better by the day, but Yates has long been impressed with their love for one another.

Beverly Bandits Logo
Beverly Bandits Logo
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Consistency The Name of the Game for Beverly Bandits 16u Team

Beverly Bandits 16U Conroy

by Kyle Parmley – Fastpitch Network

There was no grand vision when Bill Conroy started the Beverly Bandits travel organization.

But 22 years later, the program has grown to 13 teams and features premier teams that compete with some of the best in the country.

Conroy typically coaches the organization’s top 18u team, but has taken the reins of the first-year 16u group and is excited to see the team’s growth after a strong fall.

Beverly Bandits
Beverly Bandits
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* Editors Note: The Boulder IDT Website was down at the time of publishing. A Twitter Page is linked instead.