The AFCS, which was being held July 20-27 in Kokomo, IN, advanced to the national championship series on Saturday with Game 1s between Aces Fastpitch Club and Texas Bombers Gold-Smith in 18U division and Warriors Academy-McDonald and Impact Gold-Jazz in 16U division. (All rankings are Line Drive Hot 50 Club Nationals Rankings):

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In 18U Tier 1 Final Four:

#5 Texas Bombers Gold-Smith 6, #45 Tampa Mustangs-Rene 1: Kentucky-bound P Hailey Nutter allowed three hits, zero earned runs and eight strikeouts in 7.0 innings, McNeese State-bound OF Malayna Daigle went 1 for 2 with two runs and three RBIs and Tennessee-bound C/IF Elsa Morrison, #3 in the 2025 Line Drive Hot 100, went 2 for 3 with two RBIs for the Bombers, who advanced to the national championship series.

#6 Aces Fastpitch Club 6, #2 OC Batbusters-Stith 0: Oklahoma-bound MIF/3B Lexi McDaniel, #2 in the 2025 Line Drive Hot 100, homered, Missouri-bound 1B/UT Sidney Forrester, #22 in the 2025 Line Drive Hot 100, went 2 for 4 with three RBIs, Central Florida-bound P/1B/OF Reagan Vokoun had two RBIs and 2027 P Cyarah Dotts, #11 in the 2027 Line Drive Hot 100, allowed four hits and struck out seven to lift the Aces into the national championship series.

In the 18U National Championship Series:

#6 Aces Fastpitch Club 16, #5 Texas Bombers Gold-Smith 9: The Bombers are the reigning 18U Alliance national champion and the Aces are in the national championship series for the second time since 2023. The Bombers have reached the national championship series for the fourth time in five years.

Nebraska-committed 2026 3B/1B Kali Bogart went 3 for 4 with a double, a triple, two runs and seven RBIs, Oklahoma-bound P/3B/MIF/UT Allyssa Parker went 2 for 2 with a homer, three runs and four RBIs and Missouri-bound 3B Addy Waits, #41 in the 2025 Line Drive Hot 100, homered to lift the Aces to a 16-8 run-rule victory over the Bombers in Game 1.

Tennessee-bound C/IF Elsa Morrison, #3 in the 2025 Line Drive Hot 100, went 2 for 3 with two home runs and four RBIs for the Bombers.

“Great to go out and capture Game 1!” Aces coach Ryan Taylor said. “One more step in the process.  Our girls are focused and competing well.”

The national championship series continues on Sunday with Game 2 at 9 a.m. and Game 3 at 11:30 a.m. Both games will be televised on ESPN+.

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In 16U Tier 1 Final Four:

#34 Warrior Academy-McDonald 6, Oklahoma Athletics National 26/27-Madden/Brown 4: 2028 SS/UT Arielle Henriquez went 3 for 4 with a double and 2027 RHP Lila McLeod pitched five innings of relief for the victory to lead Warrior Academy into the national championship series.

#25 Impact Gold-Jazz 2, Team NC-Bowman 1: UCLA-committed 2026 OF Sydney Hatch went 2 for 3 and had a two-run single in the bottom of the 3rd inning and 2027 RHP Macie Bryant, #1 in the 2027 Line Drive Hot 100, allowed two hits, one run and struck out nine to lead Impact Gold into the national championship series.

In the 16U National Championship Series:

#34 Warrior Academy-McDonald 5, #25 Impact Gold-Jazz 4: Warrior Academy reached the national championship series for the first time since winning the 16U Alliance national championship as the West Bay Warriors in 2021. Impact Gold is in the national championship series for the second time since 2023.

2027 RHP Lila McLeod pitched a complete game, allowing five hits, two earned runs while striking out three to record the victory and 2028 SS Gia Ryan hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 5th inning of Game 1 for Warrior Academy.

“It’s about staying loose, trusting our game and playing with confidence,” Warrior Academy coach Ray McDonald said. “One win, that’s all we need. Let’s finish the job.”

Impact Gold coach Jazz Jackson-Vesely is keeping Sunday’s game plan simple.

“We will play to win,” she said.

The national championship series continues on Sunday with Game 2 at 6 a.m. and Game 3 at 2 p.m. Both games will be streamed on Athletes Go Live.

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

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ALLIANCE FASTPITCH CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (AFCS)

AT KOKOMA, IN, JULY 26

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18U TIER 1 ELITE 8

BRACKET A

WINNER’S BRACKET

THIRD ROUND

• Texas Bombers Gold-Smith 6, Tampa Mustangs-Rene 1

BRACKET B

THIRD ROUND

• Aces Fastpitch Club 6, OC Batbusters-Stith 0

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME 1

• Aces Fastpitch Club 16, Texas Bombers Gold-Smith 9

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16U TIER 1 ELITE 8

BRACKET A

WINNER’S BRACKET

• Warrior Academy-McDonald 6, Oklahoma Athletics National 26/27-Madden/Brown 4

BRACKET B

WINNER’S BRACKET

THIRD ROUND

• Impact Gold-Jazz 2, Team NC-Bowman 1

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME 1

• Impact Gold-Jazz 5, Warrior Academy-McDonald 4