Wow…. Just. Wow.

The 2025 Clearwater Fall Classic wrapped up on Sunday and the travel ball tourney went out with a bang.

The Game of the Day… actually, the Game of the Classic… took place Sunday afternoon and was the championship game of the 14U division.

The Athletics Gold – Tamborra/Olson team led by Head Coach Janet Olson faced the Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier squad coached by Russell Whitaker and the game was a thriller.

The game was significant in that both teams were guaranteed Alliance berths if they wanted, but there was money on the line too: the winning team scored a $6,000 check, the runners-up received $3,000.

The Athletics jumped out to a 2-1 lead when lefty pitcher Sophia Blane hit an RBI single in the top of the 5^th inning. The lead moved to 3-1 before time expired and the Bolts got to bat one last time.

They took full advantage of their potential last at-bats and pushed the game into international tie breaker thanks to Thunderbolts slapper Molly Shea who – when facing a two-strike count with two outs and the bases loaded – ripped a two-run double to even the score at 3-3.

The Athletics looked to put several runs on the board in the top of the tie-breaker as they loaded the bases with one out, but third baseman McCall Clayton caught a rocket shot and turned it into a double play to snuff the rally.

In the Bolts bottom half of the inning, Caroline Chaney started on second and came around to score on a deep fly ball by Makenzie Leidecker that was unable to be caught in the outfield, allowing Chaney to cross the plate and give the Bolts the title.

Here are some highlights and interviews from Coach Walker and several Bolts players who made a difference in the game:

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In the tough loss, one thing that was a positive for the Athletics was their outfield as the three starters – Kaelyn Utech (centerfield), Piper Rogers (left field) and Lindsey Desjarlais (right field) were spectacular.

Desjarlais fielded a ball in right field and threw a one-hop bouncer to second that nailed the Bolts runner trying to stretch a single into a double

Utech made multiple jaw-dropping plays, including saving a home run that appeared certain to clear the fence and also throwing a laser to home to nail a runner trying to score.

Here are clips from both plays:

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Last year the 14U games drew a small number of college coaches, maybe 2-3 but that was NOT the case this year.

One count had 28 coaches at the Pinellas fields.

Event organizer Jim Barsalona shared his thoughts on why the 14U division was much more coveted this year.

“To jump to that many,” he explained, “that’s investing in the future.”

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Pitcher of the Day:  

Sophia Schlader (2028, Beverly Bandits 16U – Conroy
Sophia showed why she’s considered one of the top pitchers in her class as she faced a strong Birmingham Thunderbolts team and threw a seven inning one hit gem while striking out 11.

The game finished 1-0 and that run was also by Schlader as she hit a no-doubt home run to help her own cause.

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Hitter of the Day:

Sophie Rosner (2027, Iowa Premier 16U – Dickel /Shannon)

The right-handed hitter from Lemont, Ill. put the game away against the Texas Blaze when she hit a grand slam.

She wasn’t the only one on her team to hit a home run, however; Rylee Kluver, a 2028 middle infielder, was hit by a pitch but it was ruled that she could stay in the box to hit. With that second chance, she crushed a home run to close out the scoring in style for the Premier.

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Catch of the Day:

Morgan Waln: (2027, Unity 18U – Johnson/VanBoxmeer, committed to Alabama)
Playing right field, Morgan went horizontal on a dive to record the out in action early Sunday at the Eddie C. Moore complex.

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The Texas Bombers Gold team coach by Dale Serie has some serious hitters and that showed on Sunday.

Nia De Luna, a 2027 first baseman committed to Arizona State, hit a home run and 2027 outfielder Caylee Syzdek ripped a three-run double to right center.

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Oklahoma bound 2026 outfielder Payton Westra also flexed her power muscles as the Arizona Rising standout hit a two-run home run in action against the California Angels Sunday afternoon.

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Cedric Coleman, the Texas Glory 16U coach and father of Jayda Coleman, was asked what he liked most about the Clearwater Fall Classic.

He didn’t hesitate when he said one word.

“Pressure.”

“What I love about playing here,” he continued is that the players learn how to perform at their best when under pressure. Let it be hard, that’s how you grow.”

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You can’t blame Demi Lotus, the 2028 speedy infielder, for being tired on Sunday.

At one point she pinch ran and scored from first base. Head Coach Bill Conroy pointed to first base for Demi to take over for the hitter and she just lowered her head, jogged back to first base and turned the wheels on a second time, scoring on an RBI single to give her two runs scored in one inning.

How rare is that? To cross the plate twice in one inning…

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Finally, looking at records, here’s who did the best this weekend

18U

• Arizona Rising – Appel: 6-0
• Top Gun – Turner: 6-0
• Batbusters – Stith: 5-1

16U

• Texas Bombers – Smith: 6-0
• Arizona Rising – Appel/Kobasew: 6-0
• Corona Angels – Slye: 5-1

14U

• Birmingham Thunderbolts – Whitaker: 4-0
• Georgia Impact – Cleghorn: 4-0
• Athletics Gold – Tamborra/Olson: 3-1
• Texas Glory – Haygood: 3-1