Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) Is July 20-26 at Westfield/Kokomo, IN (All rankings are Line Drive’s Club National Rankings):

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In 16U Tier 1 Elite 8 games:

Florida-committed 2027 RHP Addison Allaire struck out 10 in seven innings and went 3 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs in Game 1 and Florida International-committed 2027 RHP Emmaline Van Beck and Alliare combined on a shutout in Game 2 as #20 Santa Fe Inferno-Nowling defeated #25 Texas Bombers Gold-Serie, 4-1, and #3 Impact Gold-Jazz, 3-0, to advance to the Final Four.

“We had two big wins today against two premier programs,” Santa Fe Inferno coach Jason Nowling said. “Bombers and Impact are great teams and we had to play sound softball in all phases to come out on top. (A) Lot of softball left to played, but (I’m) very proud of the grit and determination of our team.” …

2028 RHP Lila Conrad allowed seven hits, two runs and struck out five in seven innings in Game 1 and Conrad and Stanford-committed 2027 LHP Vivian Knott combined on a shutout in Game 2 as Empire State Huskies National-Porcelli/Roberts beat Turnin2-Pezz 7-2, and Oklahoma Athletics 2010 National-Madden, 3-0, to advance to the Final Four.

“(I’m) very proud of how they are playing and representing the Northeast, playing with a lot of grit and resilience,” Empire State Huskies coach Joe Porcelli said. “We need to keep playing as a team where every player contributes in order to keep advancing.” …

After losing their opening round game of the Elite 8, Turnin2-Pezz came back to beat Indiana Magic Gold-Carroll, 11-2, and Impact Gold-Jazz, 3-2, to reach the Final Four.

2028 3B/OF Kam Stankus drove in four runs against IMG-Carroll and 2028 MIF/OF Aubrey Kresbaugh went 2 for 3 with two RBIs against Impact Gold-Jazz.

“Super exciting,” Turnin2 coach Ron Pezzoni said. “The girls just did a lot of things right the last two games, great defense, great base running and timely hits. (2028 3B/P/OF) Casey Lyons and (2028, P/3B/UT) Brooklyn Martin were outstanding in the circle with complete game wins!!” …

2028 SS Ashlynn Kennedy went 2 for 3 with a run and three RBIs as Texas Bombers Gold-Serie rallied from a four-run deficit to beat Oklahoma Athletics 2010 National-Madden, 11-6, in a loser’s bracket game to reach the Final Four.

“Wow, what a day for our Bomber girls,” Texas Bombers coach Dale Serie said. “Reaching the Final Four in Alliance is no easy task, so for our girls to punch their ticket today after playing three games is pretty amazing. We are excited we get the opportunity to compete tomorrow to play in the national championship.” …

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In 18U Tier 1 Elite 8 games:

2028 OF Caelyn Campos had a home run and five RBIs, 2028 1B/LHP Lelei Salue had a home run and four RBIs and 2028 RHP Sydney Root pitched six innings of relief for the win in Game 2 and Stanford-committed 2027 3B Reese Hilliard went 3 or 4 with two RBIs in Game 2 as #7 OC Batbusters-Stith beat #19 Louisville Lady Sluggers-Huecker/Norwood, 13-3, and #12 Impact Gold-Jackson, 5-2, to advance to the Final Four.

“It will always be about us keeping things simple,” OC Batbusters coach Mike Stith said, “playing catch, pitching ahead of hitters and hitting well. We feel honored to be at this point and will always try to stay who we are.” …

Florida-bound MIF Brooklyn Gidley went 3 for 4 with a triple and three RBIs in Game 1 and Texas State-committed 2027 C/1B/3B Morgan Sanchez went 2 for 3 with a triple and three RBIs in Game 2 as #5 Texas Bombers Gold-Smith defeated OC Batbusters-Black/AG, 12-1, and #45 Fury Platinum X-Higdon, 8-6, to advance to the Final Four.

“Today was another day that tested the toughness of our team,” Texas Bombers coach Scott Smith said. “Falling behind early and not panicking really was awesome to see and be part of! Putting ourselves in the Final 4 and now having a chance at playing for another national championship is a huge opportunity.” …

Western Kentucky-bound RHP Kaylor West surrendered seven hits and two runs while striking out six as Fury Platinum X-Higdon beat Texas Glory, 3-2, in the loser’s bracket to reach the Final Four.

“Reaching the 18U Final Four for the second time in four years is really special,” Fury Platinum X coach Jeremy Higdon said. “I think it shows that Fury Platinum is moving in the right direction. Hats off to the incredible teams we’ve played this week. More work to do tomorrow.” …

2028 MIF Marcela Attar went 2 for 4 with a double, a home run and two RBIs as Oklahoma Athletics National 26/27-Madden/Brown beat Impact Gold-Jackson, 7-3, in a loser’s bracket gam to reach the Final Four.

“Just a fun group of girls to coach that just don’t have any quit in them and the love and support they have for one another is what makes them gel so well,” Oklahoma Athletics coach Mickey Brown said. “They embody ‘team’ in every sense of the word.” …

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