Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July was held June 30-July 5 in Denver Metro area, CO (All rankings are Line Drive’s Club National Rankings):

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18U: OKLAHOMA ATHLETICS NATIONAL 26/27-MADDEN/BROWN7, TENNESSEE MOJO-RAMSEY 5

UTEP-bound C/1B Brooklyn Wells delivered a two-run home run in the top of the 8th inning and Oklahoma Athletics National 26/27-Madden/Brown held on to beat Tennessee Mojo-Ramsey, 7-5, in the 18U National Power Pool championship game of the Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July on Sunday at Aurora Sports Spark.

Missouri-bound 3B/MIF Audrey Cathey came through with a two-run double for Tennessee Mojo-Ramsey to tie it, 5-5, with one out in the bottom of the 7th.

Oklahoma Athletics National-Madden/Brown defeated Virginia Glory National-Willemssen, 3-0, #32 Warrior Academy-McDonald/Mullins, 9-3, #45 Fury Platinum X-Higdon, 7-0, Oklahoma Athletics National-Madden/Davis, 8-6, and #21 Tennessee Mojo-Ramsey, 7-5, in bracket games.

#21 Tennessee Mojo-Ramsey beat Rogue FC-Kaye, 7-6, OC Batbusters-Shockey, 11-1, Turnin2-Robeson/Long, 6-0, #36 Explosion Premier, 6-4, and lost to Oklahoma Athletics National 26/27-Madden/Brown, 7-5, in bracket games.

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16U: UNITY-AMSLER/JOHNSON 13, MIDWEST SPEED NATIONAL-HALL 1

Unity-Amsler/Johnson had a slow start to the summer season, but they hit their stride in Colorado.

#5 Unity-Amsler/Johnson picked up a 13-1 run-rule victory over Midwest Speed National-Hall in the 16U National Power Pool championship game of the Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July on Sunday at Aurora Sports Park.

Unity-Amsler/Johnson hit 21 home runs on the week, including 12 in bracket games.

Uncommitted 2027 3B/2B/1B/UT Ariana Lugo (.692 AVG, .737 OBP, 3 HRs, 3 doubles) led the way with her bat and glove. 2028 RHP/IF Sophie Strugar (.563 AVG, .611 OBP. 2 HRs, 1 double) and 2028 C/MIF Bailey Garrison (.727 AVG, .750 OBP, 2 HRs, 2 doubles) had huge offensive outputs in bracket play.

Syracuse-committed 2027 RHP Caylee Barbe (3-0, 1 save, 14 IP, 15 Ks) carried Unity-Amsler/Johnson to the championship game.

“We have had a tough start to our summer, but the girls figured out how to play for each other and not worry about the recruiting stresses,” Unity coach Dave Amsler said. “It changes everything and I credit my assistant coaches. Once we did that, this team became unstoppable.

“This means so much to these girls and this team. It shows how talented this team is from top to bottom. It shows how talented the Unity organization is when you look at how we did in P5 and Sparkler Power Pool.”

#5 Unity-Amsler/Johnson defeated Tampa Mustangs 28/29-Bedanbaugh, 10-2, Power Surge National, 6-4, #2 Warrior Academy-McDonald/Mullins, 17-1, Armor Elite Premier 28/29-Lynch, 10-2, #25 Texas Bombers Gold-Serie, 5-4, and Midwest Speed National-Hall, 13-1, in bracket games.

Midwest Speed National-Hall beat Unity-Attard/Johnson, 7-1, #46 Nebraska Gold 09 National, 8-6, Epic National-Smith, 9-6, #13 Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2028-Parker, 5-3, #6 Top Gun National-Sciara, 9-1, and lost to #5 Unity-Amsler/Johnson, 13-1, in bracket games.

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14U: LTG 2029-HENDERSON/BUCK 14, TEXAS BOMBERS GOLD-MALPASS 1

2029 P Madelyn Benzler went 2 for 4 with a homer and four RBIs and she got the win in the circle as LTG 2029-Henderson/Buck picked up a 14-1 victory over Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass, the defending 14U Alliance national champion, in the 14U National Power Pool championship game of the Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July on Sunday at Aurora Sports Park.

“This is a huge achievement for our team,” Benzler said. “We walked into this tournament knowing that it will take our all to win this and working together and picking each other up no matter what happens. Our approach at the plate took a lot of discipline and we were able to execute as a team.”

LTG’s offensive leaders were 2029 2B/OF Reese Litherland (.512 AVG), Benzler (.452 AVG, 7 HRs, 27 RBIs), 2029 MIF Tamiayh Ward (.409 AVG, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs) and 2029 1B/3B Jacklyn Landrum (.390 AVG, 4 HRs, 16 RBIs).

Defensive standouts for LTG were 2029 LHP Lauren Klomp (1.60 ERA, 0.661 WHIP, 39.1 IP, 18 hits, 9 ER, 56 Ks, 8 BBs, .130 BAA), Benzler (2.20 ER, 1.257 WHIP, 35 IP, 32 hits allowed, 11 ER, 34 K vs 12 BB, .232 BAA) and 2029 C/3B/OF Elle Osborne (61 innings caught, 1.000 FPCT).

“This was an absolutely incredible performance by some amazing young ladies,” LTG coach Amanda Buck said. “All-everything Maddie Benzler was her usual dominant self at the plate and in the circle. Lauren Klomp was dominating. Tamiayh Ward was flashing the glove on D and hitting bombs at the plate. (2029, OF/2B) Brea Hart battled several injuries, but still managed some Kirk Gibson moments with five HRs. Jackie Landrum hit two huge grand slams among her five HRs. And a proud mom and dad moment with (2029, SS/3B) Kinslee Buck hit her second HR of the week (both off of TX Bombers Gold) in the championship game.

“While Colorado is usually a pitcher’s worst nightmare, our pitching staff was absolutely incredible. Over 15 games and 89 innings. Maddie Benzler, Lauren Klomp, (2029, RHP) Sophia Santillan and (2029, RHP) Caroline Perez only allowed two HRs. And our offense was a juggernaut. We hit 28 HRs and had an 1.175 OPS against some of the best pitchers and teams in the nation. And all 15 players contributed to our success. Each of them had key moments where they stepped up.

“While our goal is always to win the national championship, this may have been ever more impressive when you consider most of the top PGF and Alliance teams are all here. AM-Tidd, (Texas) Bombers, Hustle Nation, IG-Holmes, among many other incredible teams. I’m just so proud of how these girls did. I think we really turned some heads, both among teams and college coaches. Our coaching staff is really excited to see what the future holds for this incredible group of young ladies.”

#6 LTG 2029-Henderson/Buck defeated Foothill Gold-Bissing, 12-5, #15 Texas Glory Gold, 10-0, #21 Athletics Mercado 2029-Christie/Zito, 3-2, #46 Firecrackers Premier RTY Red, 9-0, #18 Hustle Nation-Ramon, 8-0, and #2 Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass, 14-1, in bracket games.

#2 Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass beat #39 Iowa Premier National-Dickel/Paz, 12-3, #30 Impact Gold NTX National, 9-0, #24 Top Gun National-Kim, 10-0, #1 Athletics Mercado 2011-Tidd, 9-1, #8 USA Prime National-Halstead, 10-5, and lost to #6 LTG 2029-Henderson/Buck, 14-1, in bracket games.

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12U: OC BATBUSTERS-STITH/ARDUINO 8, TN MOJO 2031-EVANS 2

OC Batbusters coach Tony Arduino said the best thing about the Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July is the tournament brings together the top teams from PGF and Alliance.

OC Batbusters-Stith/Arduino was able to knock off TN Mojo 2031-Evans, 8-2, in the 12U National Power Pool championship game of the Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July on Sunday at Sky View Sports Complex.

“What I love about the Sparkler is it brings the best of PGF and Alliance teams together,” Arduino said. “So it’s special to win. With that said, to win the very first 12U Power Pool is exciting.

“These girls have won a lot of tournaments the last few years, but this one is big for our confidence going into Alliance championships next week.”

2031 IF/OF Ellie Jezowski (12 hits, 8 runs, 4 doubles, 1 HR, 9 RBIs), 2031 C/P Julianna Arriaga (9 hits, 6 runs, 3 HR, 11 RBIs), 2032 1B/3B/P Ella Iacenda (15 hits, 3 runs, 5 RBIs, 43 IP, 0.16 ERA, 65 Ks) and 2031 P/UT Emma Fuentes (1 Win, 12 IP, 13 Ks) were the leaders for the OC Batbusters.

“1-13 on our roster contributed this week,” Arduino said. “They all had a role and they bought into it. To be honest, they’ve done that the last year. Special group of competitors, for sure. We are going to enjoy this for a couple of days, get back to work and get ready for Alliance.”

OC Batbusters-Stith/Arduino 4, Impact Gold-Ostarticki, 4-2, and TN Mojo 2031-Evans, 8-2, in bracket games.

TN Mojo 2031-Evans 5, Strykers 2031-Mata, 5-0, and lost to OC Batbusters-Stith/Arduino, 8-2, in bracket games.

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