The Triple Crown Ronald McDonald Tournament in the Houston, TX area is always one of the top showcases in the country, drawing top teams from all over the country. This weekend was no different.

Here’s what some of the coaches in attendance had to say:

RONALD MCDONALD REPORT

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In 18U:

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Michelle Wood, the director of social media for So Cal Athletics-Guillenvila, who went 5-0 in the 18U division:

What was your biggest takeaway from the Ronald McDonald Tournament? Our biggest takeaways from the tournament were the helpful staff, the professionalism and consistency of the umpires, the ground crews worked quickly and efficiently getting the fields prepped. The aptomosphere was positive and our players had a great time playing some strong competition.

Which player made the biggest impact on your team for the tournament? All (of) our players achieved an impressive feat by going undefeated in the showcase. The girls demonstrated exceptional teamwork, resulting in a successful performance on the softball field. It’s worth mentioning some of the notable achievements during the tournament. Top 5 tournament batting averages: (uncommitted 2025 OF) Leila Lopez (.556 AVG) and (uncommitted 2027 OF) Jaelynn Sauers (.500 AVG).

Do you have an uncommitted player we should highlight, that people around the country should know about? Uncommitted twins (2025 1B) Kate Wood and (2025 RHP) Morgan Wood (0.84 ERA) (were) tied with a .375 batting average (and) (2025 MIF) Lucy Bacerras and 2027 Mia Dominguez each had five runs scored.

Which player (from another team) most impressed you and why? (2026 C/OF) Adlemi Rodriguez, who wore the #20 jersey for the Texas Blaze National STX team, showcased her excellent abilities as a catcher. Her blocking skills were impressive and her throws were both quick and precise. She assumed a leadership role on the field, providing her pitchers with a reliable target for their throws.

Which team most impressed you and why? TX CF Intruders Gold 18U stood out as they played some solid ball and committed zero errors. Their energy was excellent and they demonstrated strong camaraderie amongst each other.

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Had a blast at the @TCSFastpitch Ronald McDonald! TX Riptide showed out! @TxRiptide07 @SamCamp50 @CoachRich4523 pic.twitter.com/GSsFQY4szd

— Kaitlynn Torres 2025 🥎 (@Ktorres_2025) October 20, 2024

Sam Campbell of Texas Riptide, whose team went 3-1 in the 18U division:

What was your biggest takeaway from the Ronald McDonald Tournament? As always, it was the quantity and quality of teams from organizations all across the country.

Which player made the biggest impact on your team for the tournament? This tournament it has to be (Houston-committed 2025 SS) Kate Torres. She had several clutch HRs and made a ton of difficult plays on defense.

Do you have an uncommitted player we should highlight, that people around the country should know about? I have several that played well this weekend. (2026 3B/1B) Bella Barziza, (2026 C) Ari Zuniga, (2025 B) Avery Peakes, (2026 P/1B) Ryan McIntosh and 2025 P Ella Lzano.

Which team most impressed you and why? Every team we competed against was impressive. They were all well-coached and played to win.

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Charlie Esparza of Strykers National-Esparza, whose team went 4-1 in the 18U division:

Which player made the biggest impact on your team for the tournament? Uncommitted 1B 2025 Kiana LeDoux bats (in the) 3-hole and hit two HRs and was an absolute stud at the plate, Baylor-committed 2025 1B/3B/C Charleigh Esparza (hit) three HRs and (had) several multi-hit games. Also. (she had) several putouts from catcher, LSU-committed 2025 OF Kaylee “KK” Schweitzer (had some) clutch multi-hit games and slaps and hit away, uncommitted 2026 LHP Jordan Bey was a force in the circle abd Creighton-committed 2025 CF/IF/UT Emma Bailey batted .700 on the weekend with multiple stolen bases.

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Madisen Hughes of NW Vandals-Hughes, whose team went 5-0 in the 18U division:

What was your biggest takeaway from the Ronald McDonald Tournament? My biggest takeaway was seeing how selfless this team is and their willingness to put each other first. We had an injury early on in the tournament and the team rallied around to keep the momentum going. They have a team-first mentality. I am excited for them to get more games under their belt together and see where this season will go.

Which player made the biggest impact on your team for the tournament? We had a few hitters stand out but I feel our pitchers really stepped up this weekend. UMass-committed 2025) Grace Rowan, (Swarthmore-committed 2025) Mackenzie Roberts and (2026) Ashlyn Wittnebel had a combined ERA of 1.09, WHIP of 0.779, opposing batting average of .135 and 21 strikeouts in five games (25 innings). They were able to produce routine groundballs and flyballs to keep us in games. Big reason opponents only scored four runs on us total this weekend (three shutout games).

Do you have an uncommitted player we should highlight, that people around the country should know about? (2026 2B) Allison Glaze is from Glenco High. This weekend, she hit an impressive .455 with two stolen bases while leading the team in runs scored (five). She does her job getting on base, being our lead off hitter, smart and aggressive on the bases! She is also a vacuum at second base. She had a perfect fielding percentage while backing up her pitchers, making incredible plays

Which player (from another team) most impressed you and why? The player that impressed me the most was (Western Washington-committed 2025 3B/P/1B) Alanna Wirtala from the Washington Ladyhawks-Seeley/Haney. She was able to come in and shut us down to start the game. She had good speed and spin, which kept our hitters off balance.

Which team most impressed you and why? The Washington Ladyhawks-Seeley/Haney impressed me. They were solid all the way around with their defense and pitching. It was a close one-run game and I enjoyed watching their composure under the pressure.

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In 16U:

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Josh Terry of NW Vandals-Terry, whose team went 5-0 in the 16U division:

What was your biggest takeaway from the Ronald McDonald Tournament? First off, it’s for a great cause with part of the money paid for tournament fees going to Ronald McDonald house charities. The tournament was very well ran, the people in the area have been great and we kept being told we showed up at the right time because the weather was perfect. Can’t forget the BBQ was phenomenal. We just don’t have BBQ like this in Oregon. For us, it’s a great opportunity for our girls to see another area of the country and be seen by coaches in this region.

Which player made the biggest impact on your team for the tournament? (2027 OF) Portland Razo, (2027 1N/3B) Maddy Ehrens, (2027 2B) Taylor Terry and (2026 OF) Maisy Schindler led our team in hitting, all with a .500 avg. Maddy Ehrens hit the ball hard all weekend with a home run and three doubles. Portland Razo and (2026, OF) Kendall Atwood found ways to get on base and cause problems, each had 12 SBs. (2027 C/3B) Gracie Burnett was clutch and led the team with eight RBIs

Do you have an uncommitted player we should highlight, that people around the country should know about? (2027 OF) Portland Razo is a 2.6 home-to-1st slapper that can stand in and drive the ball when needed and covers a lot of ground in the outfield. This weekend, she hit .500 with 12 SBs.

(2026 OF/UT) Maisy Schindler is a special athlete and instinctual softball player. All the tools, big arm, can run, hits for power and willing to sell out on every play. Tough kid. This weekend she hit .500 and made some great plays in the outfield

Which player made the biggest impact on your team for the tournament? (2027 1B/3B) Maddy Ehrens. She hit the ball hard almost every at-bat. Even the ones she got out on were smoked. *She hit) .500 (with) four doubles, one HR (and) five RBIs

Which player (from another team) most impressed you and why? (2029 LHP/1B) Trinity Brents from Bombers Gold American-Lopez was really impressive. I think her coach told me she’s a 2029 kid, so really young. Great command of the zone, good velocity and spun the ball. We weren’t catching as many barrels as we’re used to.

Which team most impressed you and why? Bombers Gold American Lopez, very well-coached team. Their pitcher and catcher were tough and they had some kids that could really swing it.

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Jonathan Williams of Texas Strike Force (TSF) Elite-Williams, whose team went 4-1 in the 16U division:

Which player made the biggest impact on your team for the tournament? Players that made the most Impact on my team (were) (2027 C/SS/OF) Mariah Burnom, (2027 P/1B) Jazlynn Wimbush, (2028 P/OF) Ily boson (and) (2027 SS/OF) Makayla lechuga

Which team most impressed you and why? The team that impressed me the most was Prodigy 16U-Martinez, well-coach team (with) great hitters and a tough defense.

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Clint Watson of Watson Wolfpack Premier, whose team went 4-1 in the 16U division:

Which player made the biggest impact on your team for the tournament? 2027 (OF/MIF) Peyton Stokes (.857 AVG, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs), 2028 (UT/SS) Isla Ebner (.778 AVG, 4 singles, 3 doubles) and 2027 (C/1B) and Parker Mayes (.714 AVG, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs).

Do you have an uncommitted player we should highlight, that people around the country should know about? Parker Mayes, Peyton Stokes (and) Isla Ebner. Isla, Peyton and Parker are a deadly trio at the top of my lineup. The three have combined for 18 RBIs.

Which player (from another team) most impressed you and why? (2027 1B/3B/P/IF Charlee) Ramos. Liked her velocity and how she challenged our hitters.

Which team most impressed you and why? Hustle National (27/28). They were well-coached and very fundamentally sound.

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Jason Marazzito of Athletics Mercado 09-Zito, whose team went 4-1 in the 16U division:

What was your biggest takeaway from the Ronald McDonald Tournament? Another great event. The level of team in each pool is really solid and the depth of colleges represented has been great.

Which player made the biggest impact on your team for the tournament? 2028 P/UT Brooklyn Wesley has been dominant both in the circle and at the plate. She’s given up no earned runs in three outings, had four extra-base hits and even her outs have been really loud! It’s been a team effort though 2027 MIF Nevaeh Salmeron has put really great ABs together all weekend long, leading the team in average and played great defense. 2028 pitchers Bevin Kelm and Jazmin Zuniga both also have been dominant in the circle, giving up zero runs over 15 innings combined.

Do you have an uncommitted player we should highlight, that people around the country should know about? 2027 MIF Callia Careon and 2027 IF Lan Tagudin are players that a lot of coaches really are staring to take note of. Cal has hit .333 and been a table setter at the top so far at RM while Lan has hit .375 with a 1.125 OPS.

Which player (from another team) most impressed you and why? 2026 RHP (Payton) Prior from LTG-Carda. The way she just attacked the zone to all quadrants of the zone and could change speeds in any count was really impressive. Kept us off balance and forced us to take really uncomfortable at-bats.

Which team most impressed you and why? LTG-Carda has it all, power, speed and a really solid pitching staff.

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Anthony Pugliese of I-5 Ventura-Pugliese, whose team went 4-1 in the 16U division:

Which player made the biggest impact on your team for the tournament? Tough to answer who had the biggest impact. We outscored our opponents, 54-5, a lot of players had big impacts. We had five players hit over .500. (2027 P/1B) Lily Drysol batted .818 with 12 RBIs and pitched 9 innings, giving up only one earned run, (2027 3B) Siena Greenlinger batted .600 with nine runs scored, (2027 SS) Zella Cassidy batted .556 with 11 runs scored, (2027 C) Allison Pugliese batted .538 with eight RBIs and 67 percent caught stealing and two pick-offs behind the plate and (2027 CF) Jaslene Rios batted .500 for the weekend and played stellar defense in the outfield.

Which player (from another team) most impressed you and why? The player that impressed me most was on American Freedom HTX-Carlson. Their center fielder (2026 Jordyn Davila) made a few great plays, but one stood out as the play of the weekend for me as she robbed a sure double or triple going back to deep left-center, making the catch over her shoulder.

Which team most impressed you and why? The team that impressed me most was Bombers NTX Gold. Excellent team, very fundamentally sound all around and well-coached.

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Kelli Jacoby of Bombers Gold-Jacoby, whose team went 5-0 in the 16U division:

What was your biggest takeaway from the Ronald McDonald Tournament? It’s the best tournament to showcase your talent and get seen to play at the next level. I have brought teams to Ronald McDonald for over 25 years and will continue to as it’s one of the BEST showcase tournaments and what makes it even better it’s a wonderful fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House 😊 Record for the weekend: 5-0; runs scored: 43; runs allowed: 4; team batting average: .388; and combined ERA: 0.35.

Which player made the biggest impact on your team for the tournament? (2026 MIF/3B) Payton Powell batted .567 with a 1.000 fielding percentage.

Do you have an uncommitted player we should highlight, that people around the country should know about? (2026 P/1B) Maddie Green batted .380 with a 0.00 ERA.

Which player (from another team) most impressed you and why? (2027) SS Angelique Hernandez of Illusions Gold National-Castaneda.

Which team most impressed you and why? The team that most impressed us was Illusions Gold National-Castaneda.