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Tag: PGF Nationals

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Audrey Lowry Determined to Get to the Top

Audrey Lowry Beverly Bandits

by Ross Jacobs – Fastpitch Network

When you talk to Audrey Lowry, you quickly realize she doesn’t just love softball, but she is a student of the game. Incredibly focused, detail oriented, and the rare kind of player who doesn’t only rely on her physical gifts but thinks through what she wants to do on the mound. And in case you haven’t been paying attention – her focused dedication is paying off in a big way.

The Beverly Bandits Conroy 16U team is off to a sizzling start. After coming in 3rd in PGF Nationals this summer, the Bandits have won both fall tournaments (PGF King of the Hill and the PGF Labor Day Tournament) on their way to a 15-0 start. They have outscored their opponents by a whopping 102-11 in those games.

Audrey Lowry with Beverly Bandits Conroy Team
Audrey Lowry with Beverly Bandits Conroy Team
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Sorcerer Bigley-Everett Looks to Build on Success

Sorcerer Bigley

by Rachel Pfeiffer – Fastpitch Network

Sorcerer Bigley-Everett played well in many top tournaments this year, but coach Ryan Bigley says that without a doubt the highlight of the summer was the team’s third-place finish in PGF‘s 14U Premier Bracket A.

“It was just good ball. All the girls were in a good space mentally. I think we did a decent job of getting the girls not only physically prepared but mentally prepared as well, believing in themselves and keeping it even keel,” Bigley says. “Keeping them in the moment was key for us and special stuff happening in special moments.”

The deep run at PGF was the culmination of a season where the team had to learn to overcome adversity. The team suffered a blow when Emma Misasi suffered an injury at Triple Crown Nationals.

Sorcerer Bigley Team Huddle
Sorcerer Bigley Team Huddle
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Hotshots Esparza: Built, Not Bought

Hotshots Esparza BW 2021

by Rachel Pfeiffer – Fastpitch Network

Teams across the country are familiar with the chaos and exhaustion that comes from traveling during the summer, playing in tournaments from coast to coast. However, this past season Hotshots Esparza took the grind to the next level.

“This past summer, I kind of put them through a gauntlet,” Coach Charlie Esparza says. “We set out a dramatic summer schedule that took the parents and players on the road for a 43-day tour all over the country.”

The team played in top tournaments, starting with the Top Gun tournament in Kansas City. From there the Hotshots played in Top Club Nationals in Oklahoma, the IDT in Colorado and the TFL Championships in Texas. After finishing near the top in all of these tournaments, they won a national championship at their next stop, the NFA National Championship in Louisiana. The team took a week off before finishing their season at PGF.

National Fastpitch Challenge Champions 2021
National Fastpitch Challenge Champions 2021
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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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Karolyn Glover Doesn’t Shrink From the Big Stage

Karolyn Glover

by Rachel Pfeifer – Fastpitch Network

Karolyn Glover has grown up with softball and the Sorcerers. From watching games on TV to attending her sister’s games, Glover can’t remember a time when the game wasn’t a part of her life. All this exposure and hard work at a young age have enabled Glover to take advantage of opportunities when they come her way.

When her sister’s 18U Sorcerer team was short a catcher, they brought Glover aboard for PGF even though she wasn’t even in high school yet. Now, Glover once again wears the 18U Sorcerer uniform, but this time she’s doing more than catching bullpens. Coach Paulie Gabales says Glover’s knowledge of the game and poise impress regardless of the stage.

“Her softball IQ distinguishes her,” he says. “She’s been in these big situations from a very young age, so she’s not overwhelmed by any team we play, whether we’re in Colorado or at PGF.”

Karolyn Glover & Sorcerers at PGF - 2nd Place
Karolyn Glover & Sorcerers at PGF – 2nd Place
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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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Sky is the Limit for Arizona Storm’s Dellamonica

Alexis Dellamonica - Arizona Storm - 2023

by Tracy Yoder – Fastpitch Network

Dominating the 3rd base line for Arizona Storm 16U – Mathis, stands a fearless competitor, Alexis Dellamonica. With amazing raw athleticism and natural talent, Dellamonica is described as “one of the most gifted athletes” Steve Appel has ever coached.

Competing with the Arizona Storm since 10U, Dellamonica represents a 5 Tool Player who excels in speed, power, hitting, fielding, and arm strength. Not only does Dellamonica possess the essential skills for on-field success, she offers so much versatility to her team.

Dellamonica is currently ranked as the No. 16 utility player and No. 39 overall in the 2023 class, according to Fastpitch Network. While she is a stand-out 3rd baseman, Dellamonica is extremely versatile in the field with the ability to play middle infield or could be a dynamite center fielder, according to Appel.

Arizona Fastpitch Mathis-2023
Arizona Fastpitch Mathis-2023
Alexis Dellamonica 2023
Alexis Dellamonica 2023
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USA Athletics Focus on Core Values and Team Culture

USA Athletics

by Tracy Yoder – Fastpitch Network

Celebrating 22 years as an organization, USA Athletics prides itself on core values and team culture, remaining humble and steadfast from the beginning.

Fifteen years ago, Mike and Rose Rogers were handed the reigns of the USA Athletics organization following the departure of Steve McNee. A husband-wife duo who enjoyed coaching their young daughter at the time stepped up to the plate to grow the organization to what it is today. USA Athletics consists of a total of 25 teams, ranging in ages 12U to 18U Gold, and spanning from Southern California to other states including Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Georgia.

The Rogers’ duo believe they have a unique culture with a primary focus on holistic player development. USA Athletics places a strong emphasis on the journey and the process of developing student-athletes, beyond wins and losses. “We focus on the process, because the process will give you the outcome,” states Rose. “It’s always family first, school, then softball.”

USA Athletics Coach Reviews Last Play
USA Athletics Coach Reviews Last Play
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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.

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