The Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) is being held all week in Chino Hills, CA (All rankings are Line Drive Hot 50 Club National Rankings):

In 14U Tier 1 Elite 8:

2028 RHP Jessica Hinnant pitched a one-hitter with three strikeouts and #7 Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass pounded out 12 hits in a 7-0 victory over #3 Impact Gold 2K9 National to qualify for the Final Four.

2028 SS Ashlynn Kennedy went 3 for 4 with a run and two RBIs, 2028 2B Michaela Landers went 3 for 4 with two runs, 2027 3B Arianna Lugo went 2 for 3 with three stolen bases and two runs and 2028 RF Melody Soto went 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI to propel the Bombers’ offense.

“The Final Four is another step closer to the goal we have and an awesome accomplishment for these young athletes, who we push hard for these big moments,” Bombers coach Kristi Malpass said. “Impact Gold is a great team with a lot of talent. We always compete with them in the championships back home in Texas. The win here in California was a big one.” …

2027 SS Samantha Nichols drove in 2027 OF Aliandra Plimpton with a single in the top of the 9th inning and #6 Corona Angels-Tyson beat #26 OC Batbusters 09-AG 8-7, to reach the Final Four.

Nichols went 3 for 5 with a run and two RBIs, 2028 1B Jackie Morales went 3 for 5, 2027 C/1B Mia Diaz went 3 for 4 with a double and 2027 CF Alexis Redoblado went 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI for the Corona Angels.

“It was a true definition of a team win,” Corona Angels 2027 RHP Caroline Baker said. “The pitching, defense and offense all worked together to get the team to the Final Four. All the players are working together just at the right time!” …

2027 RHP Leanna Bourdage tossed a no-hitter with nine strikeouts in seven innings as Impact Gold 2K9 National beat Fury Platinum 2027 National-Chaffin, 4-0, in a loser’s bracket game to reach the Final Four.

“There are only a few kids in the country that can perform on the level that Leanna is this week,” Impact Gold coach Jared Bryant said. “It’s a lot of fun to watch and I’m glad she is on our side!!

“This tournament is a grind!! We are going to give it hell tomorrow and try to scratch into championship Sunday!!” …

2027 RF Atiana Rodriguez delivered a two-run double to help OC Batbusters 09-AG defeat Bombers Gold Ark-La-Tex, 4-3, in the bottom of the 7th on a walk-off as the Batbusters won a loser’s bracket game to qualify for the Final Four.

In 12U Tier 1 Elite 8:

OC Batbusters-Stith/Byrd defeated OC Batbusters 2012-BC, 2-1, and OC Batbusters-Neff/Horton, 1-0, to punch its ticket to the Final Four.

2030 RF Makynna Byrd led the way going 3 for 3 with a triple and a run scored and 2030 P Taylor Goodwin pitched another gem, going all seven innings and allowing only one run with nine Ks in Batbusters-Stith/Byrd’s win over Batbusters-BC.

2029 P/DP Grace Kumpel came through with a walk-off single down the right-field line, scoring the runner from third base in ITB as Batbusters-Stith/Byrd defeated Batbusters-Neff/Horton. Goodwin pitched another absolute gem, throwing all eight innings and holding Natbusters-Neff/Horton’s powerful offense to only three hits and zero runs with 11 Ks. …

Texas Glory RWB pulled out a 7-6 win over Impact Gold National 2011-Mendoza to qualify for the Final Four.

2028 MIF/OF Addison Raugh went 2 for 3 with three RBIs, 2029 C Aubrey Apolinar went 2 for 3 with two runs and 2029 SS Abygail Galaz went 2 for 3 to lead Texas Glory’s offense.

“A team win for sure,” Texas Glory coach Kevin Shelton said. “Everyone did their job in the second game of the day in the 102-degree heat.” …

OC Batbusters-Neff/Horton edged Firecrackers Brashear 2011-AM, 5-6, and Impact Gold National 2011-Mendoza defeated Firecrackers Medina-GGG, 6-4, in loser’s bracket games to reach the Final Four.

“After a tough loss against Texas Glory RWB in ITB, our girls had to bounce back to face Firecrackers Medina-GGG,” Impact Gold coach Daven Mendoza said. “Firecrackers Medina-GGG is a scrappy team that puts together a lot of really good at-bats, so we knew we had to bounce back quickly. Our girls found a way to finish it and ended up 0n top to help us advance to Saturday. I couldn’t be prouder of our girls for bouncing back after a tough loss and finishing the day on top with a win to send us to the Final Four!!”

— Carlos Arias, Line Drive Media (Follow Carlos on Twitter @los_stuff)