Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July is being held June 29-July 6 in the Denver Metro Area (All rankings are Line Drive Hot 50 Club National Rankings):
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18U: ATHLETICS MERCADO-SMITH 12, GEORGIA IMPACT PREMIER-TAYLOR 9
#1 Athletics Mercado-Smith took care of #33 Georgia Impact Premier-Taylor, 12-9, in the championship game of the 18U National Power Pool on Sunday at Aurora Sports Park.
Athletics Mercado-Smith won its first championship since winning back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023. Georgia Impact Premier-Taylor has never won a National Power Pool title.
“Long week with many ups and downs, got back on track,” Athletics Mercado coach Mark Smith said. “It was as gritty of a week that I’ve seen a team grind through in a very long time. (We) played for each other, energy was great and played a super difficult schedule. (Triple Crown) ran a great tournament as always out here.
“(For) highlights, we’ll start with (2027 RHP) Coral Williams. She pitched her butt off all week with the help of (Brown-bound LHP) Jordan Simmons, (Michigan-bound RHP) Mia Valbuena and Kimmy Allen. Our pitchers grinded out Colorado.
Athletics Mercado-Smith defeated Suncats Jimenez, 6-1, #15 Impact Caymol, 9-4, #4 Arizona Rising-Appel, 14-3, and Georgia Impact Premier-Taylor, 12-9, in championship bracket games.
Georgia Impact Premier-Taylor defeated Hotshots Naudin National-Villegas, 8-0, #21 BSC Bengals-Briggs, 8-1, #8 Tennessee Mojo-Ramsey/Fisher, 13-7, and lost to Athletics Mercado-Smith, 12-9, in championship bracket games.
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16U: HOTSHOTS NATIONAL-GALLOWAY 10, LADY MAGIC-MUNOZ 5
Hotshots National-Galloway concluded a fantastic tournament by beating #2 Lady Magic-Munoz, 10-5, in the championship game of the 16U National Power Pool on Sunday at Aurora Sports Park.
Hotshots National-Galloway captured its first 16U National Power Pool title and the first for the organization since Hotshots National-Jones in 2022.
2026 3B/UT Caroline Roth hit a two-run home run to help the Hotshots jump out to an 8-0 lead in the championship game. 2028 RHP Tiffany Taylor got the win in the circle.
“Tiffany Taylor pitched very well against a top-level lineup in a tough environment,” Hotshots coach Lane Galloway said. “The girls played quality softball and it was a total team effort.”
Louisiana Tech-committed 2026 CF Rhilynn McCoy went 3 for 3 with two runs and three RBIs, Wichita State-committed 2026 RHP/RF Sara Wiggins went 2 for 2 with a run and Texas State-committed 2026 C Payton Shugart went 2 for 3 with a run in the finals.
“Many of these players have been working towards this for a long time,” Galloway said. “Their hard work, combined with the addition of some very special young talent, has paid dividends. This is a special group and it’s a lot of fun to witness these young ladies realize success.”
Hotshots National-Galloway defeated Impact Caymol, 12-5, #44 Impact Gold-Vaughn/Jazz, 9-4, #20 Georgia Impact Premier-O’Neal, 5-4, and Lady Magic-Munoz, 10-5, in championship bracket games.
Lady Magic-Munoz defeated #43 Nebraska Gold National-Boyer, 12-6, Fury Platinum X-Pickett, 18-14, #1 Athletics Mercado-Hovermale/Tidd, 14-13, and lost to Hotshots National-Galloway, 10-5, in championship bracket games.
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14U: ATHLETICS MERCADO 2010-TIDD 13, IMPACT GOLD NATIONAL 2029-HOLMES 5
#1 Athletics Mercado 2010-Tidd cruised to a 13-5 victory over #42 Impact Gold National 2029-Holmes in the championship game of the 14U National Power Pool on Sunday at Aurora Sports Park.
Athletics Mercado 2010-Tidd captured its first 14U National Power Pool title.
2028 LF Kendra Nelsen went 3 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs, 2028 3B Alofania “Nina” Talatiana went 2 for 3 with a home run and four RBIs and 2028 Sophia Hernandez homered to power Athletics Mercado 2010-Tidd’s offense.
Talatiana (.607 AVG, 2.049 OPS, 17 hits, 6 HRs, 24 RBIs) and Hernandez (.667 AVG, 1.627 OPS, 20 hits, 6 doubles, 10 RBIs, 16 runs) were the co-MVPs of the tournament.
“(We went) 16-1 on the week-and-half, winning (P5) Patriots Game and (National) Power Pool,” Athletics Mercado coach Brian Tidd said. “I don’t think any team in the three years of Patriots Games has won both in any age group. (The) girls are trained and are battle-tested for the grind. (I) couldn’t be more proud of the girls for what they endured in 12 days. Complete team wins and the girls continue to have each other’s back no matter what the challenge is.”
Athletics Mercado 2010-Tidd defeated #20 Firecrackers Brashear, 13-1, #7 Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2028-Brashears/Parker, 9-3, #15 Atlanta Vipers Gold 2010-Lynch, 6-4, and Impact Gold National 2029-Holmes, 13-5, in championship bracket games.
Impact Gold National 2029-Holmes defeated Tulsa Shootout 10 National, 4-3, #39 Suncats Jimenez, 14-7, #2 Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass, 10-8, and lost to Athletics Mercado 2010-Tidd, 13-5, in championship bracket games.
— Carlos Arias, Line Drive Media (Follow Carlos on Twitter @los_stuff)
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