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PG Select Baseball Festival  | General | 8/17/2024

11u & 12u Select Festival Recap

John McAdams
Photo: 11u & 12u Select Festival Teams (Perfect Game)
The top 11 & 12U eligible players from across North America descended on the historic East Cobb Baseball Complex this past weekend for this year’s rendition of the 2024 Perfect Game Select Baseball Festival. 28 of the best comprised the 11U version, while 36 of the very best made up the 12U iteration as they culminated their summer seasons and gave us a glimpse into the next generation of youth amateur baseball.

The weekend was filled with fun filled activities including practices, home run derby’s and plenty of fun in our player's lounge area where both age groups got to engage in ping pong tournaments and play against each other in various video games like MLB The Show. They also got plenty of chances to learn from former Major Leaguers Tom “Flash” Gordon, Ryan Klesko and Charles Johnson throughout the weekend, as all three were members of our coaching staff for the young athletes. Perfect Game celebrated each of the player's accomplishments in being named to his prestigious event by hosting an awards banquet for each age group.



Not to be lost amongst all the exciting moments, both on-and-off the field, was the fundraising efforts by both the 11 & 12U participants. Each of the players put their best foot forward to try and raise funds for the Elite Development Academy based out of Tampa, Florida. The Elite Development Academy (EDA) is a transformative initiative addressing economic and racial disparities in baseball. Founded by the Fox Foundation and the HBCU, Dillard University, EDA brings together mentors, nonprofits, scouts, and coaches to enhance athletic skills and provide academic support and mentorship to young players from underserved communities. The program includes robust player onboarding, personalized guidance, and assistance with scholarships and federal grant applications, fostering athletic and academic excellence.

The amazing efforts of each participant in both the 11 & 12U games allowed for a little over $23,000 to be raised to help underserved players that go through the Elite Development Academy. Jordan Acosta of the 11U East team raised an astounding $3,585, while Easton Metzelaars helped the cause by raising $2,570. Leyland Henry led the 12U contingent, as he raised a little over $2,000 towards the fundraising efforts. Bryan Johnson Jr. was the second top fundraiser for the 12U participants, as he raised $1975.

Now let’s get to the games as the 11U squads got things rolling on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The West squad took home a 7-5 victory in a back-and-forth affair that got started with the blazing fastball of our National Pitcher of the Year Carlo Rivero, as he notched two punch outs in a scoreless top of the first. It was his bat that got the West team on the board first as the left-handed hitting Arizona native stayed on a fastball from East starter Jack Mattingly and drove it out to left-centerfield. The West extended their lead in the bottom of the second thanks to a run scoring double by Mylo Leyja, which was followed up by RBI singles off the bats of Joshua Park and Ruben Elias. The East came roaring back in the top of the third inning, as they scored five to take the lead, capped off by a three-run opposite field bomb off the bat of Carlos Marrero. A couple of walks and wild pitches helped the East squad during that inning.

The scoring would halt until the bottom of the fifth, where the West team tied things at five as Ruben Elias notched his second RBI single of the game, while Kristian Valadez would strike out the side in the top of the sixth to keep things knotted at five after working around a one out walk. A one out walk by Hudson Bills would be followed by a Gabriel Gutierrez double down the left field line to give the West squad a 6-5 lead. They would add an insurance run on another double by 11U Home Run Derby Champion Brayden Worthen as he lifted one towards the left field line that fell in-front of the left field. 11U National Player of the Year Ethan Palacios would work around a two-out double from Jace Winston to punch out two and secure the victory for the West. Ruben Elias took home MVP honors by going 2-for-2 with three runs batted in.

11U Game MVP: Ruben Elias
11U Home Run Derby Champion: Brayden Worthen
  
11U Award Winners: Ethan Palacios, Waylon Harris, Carlo Rivero
The 12U iteration gave us a glimpse into the future stars of amateur baseball, as there were seven arms who toed the rubber and touched 80-plus mph and an outstanding twelve out of sixteen that touched at least 78 mph. The game itself came with plenty of action as the teams amassed twelve hits including three homers. Our National Pitcher of the Year Calvin Madenspacher started things off on the mound for the East squad as he continued to show exactly why he was the recipient of the award by punching out three in his inning of work. Tyler Early opposed him for the West and took home his own honors as our National Player of the Year. The West would strike first in the top of the second, as they scored a pair due to a few walks and an RBI ground out by Creed Peoples. The East would answer back on the shoulders of James Watson as he scorched a three-run homer to right-centerfield to give his team the lead. The East would extend their lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a quartet of walks as they continued to put together good at-bats against a talented West pitching staff. A pair of walks, an error and a couple wild pitches would allow the West to knot things at four heading into the bottom of the fifth. Eventual MVP Raymond Minaya took matters into his hands in the bottom half of the inning as the left-handed hitting New York native launched a two-run homer to dead center field. The East squad would extend their lead further in the sixth thanks to an RBI double off the bat of Cohen Ward and another two-run bomb from Maykel Jimenez. They would plate three runs in the seventh extend their lead to 8 as Watson, a Georgia native, secured the victory in his home state with a punchout to end another talent laden Perfect Game 12U Select Baseball Festival.

12U Game MVP: Raymond Minaya

12U Home Run Derby Champion: Kingston George
 
12U Award Winners: Tyler Early, Calvin Madenspacher, Jesse Soberal Jr
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PG Select Baseball Festival | General | 4/21/2026

Select Festival Dates/Locations Announced
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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 DATES AND VENUES FOR   2026 SLATE OF SELECT FESTIVALS    Sanford, Florida (Tuesday, April 21, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced dates and venues for its 2026 Select Festivals, a premiere series of invitation-only events showcasing many of the nation’s top young prospects at the 11U, 12U, 13U and 14U levels.    The Select Festivals provide elite players with a unique opportunity to compete alongside and against the best talent in their age group while experiencing a...
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Press Release | Press Release | 4/23/2026

Kash Shaikh Named Perfect Game CMO

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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 NAMES KASH SHAIKH CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER AND HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL   Sanford, Florida (Thursday, April 23, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that Kash Shaikh has been named the company’s new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Head of International. In this role, Shaikh will serve on Perfect Game’s executive leadership team, overseeing global marketing, brand strategy, creative, partnerships and sponsorships, while leading the company’s international P&L and expansion. Shaikh brings more than two decades of experience building brands, businesses and communities across sports, media and consumer...
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Softball | Softball Tournament | 4/22/2026

PG Softball Battle for the Belt

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Perfect Game Softball Battle for the Belt April 18-19, 2026 Des Moines, Iowa It was a cold and very windy weekend, but the girls still came out and put in their best efforts. If you wanted the place to see some of the state’s top talent, this was the tournament to be at. The 18u division was quite the slugfest! The Ankeny Centennial 18U -Kennedy team took down a tough Iowa Alliance Select-Benge team in the championship. Both teams had double digit homeruns on the weekend. In the 16u division the Iowa Aries CE Fire Black took control of the game from the start and never let up on the gas, taking down a solid Alliance Select- Harper team. 18U Division Kori Lincicum (2026 Ankeny, IA) of the Centennial Jaguars- Kennedy and Drake Bulldog softball commit was the weekends MVP Pitcher. Lincicum defeated a tough Alliance team in the championship game finishing with that game with 11...
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High School | General | 4/23/2026

Northeast High School Notebook

Jheremy Brown
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In a season that has already had many exciting matchups across various events, we as a staff would like to highlight or “Shout-Out” notable performers along with an Uncommitted Spotlight and Team Spotlight.  Uncommitted Spotlight: Mason Rosenberg, 1B, 2027, Bishop Eustace Prep  Uncommitted Mason Rosenberg (2027, NJ) has been an absolute force within the Bishop Eustace lineup, as the left-handed hitting slugger is hitting .481 through eleven games including six homers. The strength has vastly improved, allowing for Rosenberg to impact the baseball with authority to all fields. Couple that with improved speed and athleticism, this uncommitted 2027 can be a welcomed addition to a class looking for offense.  Team Spotlight: Northern Burlington (9-0) Northern Burlington is once again off to a hot start, as the Greyhounds sit at 9-0 thus far and have continued to...
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Juco | Rankings | 4/22/2026

JUCO Top 25: April 22

Blaine Peterson
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Another week down and Johnson County continues their torrid run to remain at number 1. They're 46-2 on the season with multiple hitters over 25 bombs which is astonishing for the level as the Cavs have announced themselves as title favorites. Just a couple of weeks left heading down the stretch and our field remains mostly the same with the two additions of midwest powerhouse Iowa Western and the Warriors of East Central who will have a tough test Wednesday in Poplarville against fellow Mississippi adversary Pearl River in a mid-week double header.   Rk. School Record 1 Johnson County (KS) 46-2 2 Gaston (NC) 47-3 3 Walters State (TN) 42-10 4 McLennan (TX) 38-8 5 Southern Nevada (NV) 33-9 6 Chipola (FL) 39-9 7 Blinn (TX) 33-12 8 Florida Southwestern (FL) 32-13 9 Florence-Darlington (SC) 42-10 10 Pearl River (MS) 39-9 11 Cloud County (KS) 40-4 12 Cochise (AZ) 39-11 13 Midland (TX)...
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College | Story | 4/23/2026

Coppy's Corner: April 23 POY Deep Dive

John Coppolella
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Each week I huddle with Vinnie Cervino and Craig Cozart  to discuss Top-25 rankings and Players of the Week. In Coppy’s Corner, I dive deeper into these Players of the Week, providing analysis from 20+ years working in baseball front offices at the highest level.     Player of the Week: Tague Davis – University of Louisville  Between 2016-2022, the University of Louisville produced 14 players taken in the Top 5 Rounds of the MLB Draft, seven of whom were taken in the 1st Round. The Cardinals haven’t produced a Top 5 Rounds pick since 2022, but that will change soon with Davis. Still only 20 years old and not draft-eligible until 2027, Davis continued his assault on college baseball this weekend with a 7-for-12 performance that included 5 HR. On the 2026 season, Davis is hitting .389 AVG / .489 OBP / .911 SLG / 1.392 OPS. That’s a 400+...
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College | Rankings | 4/22/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: April 22

Nick Herfordt
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The final weeks of the college baseball regular season have a way of separating programs that are genuinely postseason-ready from those that have simply been good enough for long enough. Conference tournaments loom, selection committees are paying close attention, and every game on the schedule carries weight that it simply didn't in February. This week's action, combined with the latest Perfect Game Top 25, paints a picture of a college baseball landscape where the top is clearly defined — and where the middle is a genuine battle. What follows is a cross-level look at teams across the NAIA, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division III ranks who find themselves in that uncomfortable space: not safely in, not clearly out, but firmly on the bubble. Some have built compelling résumés that should hold up under scrutiny. Others have excellent records against soft competition...
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High School | Rankings | 4/21/2026

High School Top 50 Update: April 21

Tyler Russo
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Another few weeks have wrapped up this high school season as we’re flying through the spring and most southern states are starting playoffs right around the corner. With the end of the regular season, we have another National Top 50 update to bring to you, along with this will be the start of the weekly editions of our National Top 50. We have a change at the top of the rankings as Venice (FL) takes over the top spot after just dominating their competition in the state of Florida this year. Orange Lutheran (CA) drops one spot to No. 2 after dropping a series but still holds firm at No. 2 in the country. Barbe (LA) has continued to dominate and holds onto the No. 3 spot while Tomball (TX) skyrockets in this update to No. 4 in the country, currently holding an incredible 30-0-1 record. The rest of the top-10 is names we’ve become accustomed to see with Aledo (TX) at No. 5, IMG...
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Tournaments | Story | 4/21/2026

Southeast Super NIT #2 Scout Notes

Jason Phillips
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Chase Jelks (‘30 GA)- with a long double to deep CF. Huge day from the primary SS, 5-for-6 w/ 4 doubles & 6 RBI. #SESuperNIT @TheDreamBall @PG_Georgia https://t.co/biFSzXCrUt pic.twitter.com/HCQMduedb5 — Perfect Game Youth (@PGYouthBB) April 20, 2026 Chase Jelks (’30, Atlanta, Ga.)- the left-handed hitting Jelks was all over the barrel on Sunday in a pair of games for The Dream 14U Black. He finished the day with five hits in six at-bats which included four doubles and six runs batted in. His two doubles and four runs batted in played a big part in the Gold Playoffs Round 1 victory over the talented BPA squad out of California. He backed up that performance with three more hits in a quarterfinal’s loss to the East Cobb Astros 14U Orange to finish the tournament with a .600 batting average and 1.636 on-base plus slugging percentage. A primary utility infielder,...
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College | Story | 4/21/2026

College Players of the Week: April 21

Vincent Cervino
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April 21st Perfect Game/Player of the Week:  Tague Davis, IF, Louisville  The Louisville Cardinals (22-18) haven’t been able to get themselves in much of a groove this spring, their longest winning streak is 5-games, and they are (4-6) in their last 10-games.  The issue has not been the offense as the Cardinals are averaging over 8-runs per game and Tague Davis is leading the club in virtually every offensive category.  His calling card is his 70-grade power and that was on display last weekend in their series against Cal.  In the three-game series, Davis went 7 for 12, scoring 4 runs, launching 5 home runs and collected 7 RBIs.  The 6-4/220 lefthanded hitter from West Chester, PA has a pure stroke, is one of the premier power hitters in the nation and has significantly improved his plate discipline from a year ago.  After his big weekend, he is...
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