The MLK AZ Winter Invitational was held Jan. 17-19 in Gilbert/Mesa, AZ:

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18U: ARIZONA RISING-APPEL 10, ARIZONA STORM-MENDEZ 1

Arizona Rising-Appel tuned up or AZ Last Blast VI by beating Arizona Storm-Mendez, 10-1, in the 18U final of the MLK AZ Winter Invite on Monday at Arizona Athletic Grounds.

Oklahoma-bound OF Payton Westra (.765 AVG, 3 HRs, 6 doubles, 14 RBIs), Boise State-bound C/3B Tanner Banks (.667 AVG, 1 HT, 7 doubles, 9 RBIs) and Oklahoma-bound MIF/OF Emma Reynolds (.500 AVG, 2 HRs, 8 RBIs, 12 runs) led Arizona Rising-Appel’s offense throughout the tournament.

Northwestern-bound LHP Lilly “Goose” Goodwin (13 IP, 0.53 ERA, 14 Ks) led Arizona Rising-Appel’s pitching staff (0.13 ERA, .142 BAA).

“This was a good tune up for next week’s AZ Last Blast event, which features top teams from coast to coast before high school ball,” Arizona Rising coach Steve Appel said. “Always nice to win some money to help with summer expenses.”

Arizona Rising-Appel defeated USA Explosion Spokane-Sams, 16-0, So Cal Choppers-Fausett, 7-1, Arizona Storm-Sheehan, 13-2, and Arizona Storm-Mendez, 10-1, in bracket play.

Arizona Storm-Mendez defeated AZ Hotshots National-Delsante, 10-0, Rogue C-Kaye, 5-1, Arizona Rising-Westover, 7-1, and lost to Arizona Rising-Appel, 10-1, in bracket play.

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16U: ARIZONA RISING-KOBASEW 10, MIDWEST SPEED NATIONAL-KOTZMACHER 0

Arizona Rising-Kobasew took down Midwest Speed National-Kotzmacher, 10-0, in the 16U final of the MLK AZ Winter Invite on Monday at Arizona Athletic Grounds.

2029 UT Taylor Phillip (.667 AVG, 19 hits), 2028 P Chaden Chatelain (0.00 ERA, 12 IP) and 2028 C Bella Mora (.733 OBP, allowed zero SBs) were the leaders for Arizona Rising-Kobasew in the tournament.

“(It was a) great team depth win,” Arizona Rising coach Chuck Kobasew said. “We had eight different players gone at certain points this weekend, attending various college camps (UCLA, Texas A&M, UC San Diego, Auburn, Clemson, Arizona State).”

Arizona Rising-Kobasew defeated Arizona Storm-Hill/Royer, 10-2, Rogue FC-Ketchum, 6-4, Arizona Rising-Ramirez, 8-1, and Midwest Speed National-Kotzmacher, 10-0, in bracket play.

Midwest Speed National-Kotzmacher defeated Athletics Mercado AZ-Fortis, 9-0, Arizona Storm-Pomeroy, 4-3, Arizona Storm-J. Decker, 12-1, and lost to Arizona Storm-Kobasew, 10-0, in bracket play.

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14U: ARIZONA STORM-BEACH/DAY 7, ARIZONA RISING 29S-MABREY 5

Arizona Storm-Beach/Day held off Arizona Rising 29s-Mabrey, 7-5, in the 14U final of the MLK AZ Winter Invite on Monday at Arizona Athletic Grounds.

2030 C Tenley Tuschl had an RBI single and 2030 CF Zoey Lozano had a two-run double during a three-run rally in the top of the 7th inning as Arizona Storm-Beach/Day pulled out the win in the finals.

Arizona Storm-Beach/Day defeated Arizona Rising-Munoz, 7-1, So Cal Choppers-Fausett, 8-4, and Arizona Rising 29s-Mabrey, 7-5, in bracket play.

Arizona Rising 29s-Mabrey defeated Arizona Rising 2030-Weber, 9-0, Firecrackers Premier RTY Black, 7-6, and lost to Arizona Storm-Beach/Day, 7-5, in bracket play.

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