Mike Bagarose, the former EC Bullets 18U Gold Schnute/Bagarose team head coach, has joined the Armor Elite organization, he told Line Drive Media’s Brentt Eads this week.

He will work with Head Coach Racheal Ogletree who joined the organization in March of this year and heads what is expected to be one of the top teams in its age division in the 2026-27 season.

The Georgia-based organization was founded last November (2025) by club coaches Brittany Lewis (formerly of Tennessee Mojo) and Chad O’Neal (president of Georgia Impact Premier).

Josh Lynch (Atlanta Vipers) soon after joined as a co-founding board member and coach of one of the program’s 16U teams. O’Neal heads an 18U squad and Lewis coaches a 12U team.

In total, the Armor Elite program has a dozen teams ranging from 12U to 18U.

Coach Ogletree explains how she joined the organization about six months ago.

“The transition to Armor Elite in March of 2026 was a collaborative decision made with our players’ best interests at the center of every conversation,” she says.

“One of the most valuable aspects of joining Armor has been the opportunity to collaborate with older players who can serve as mentors and role models for our team.”

“We routinely practice with Armor Elite Premier O’Neal (18U) and Lynch (16U), and both Chad and Josh have embraced our girls as if they were their own. These relationships provide a level of consistency and accountability that is invaluable during the recruiting process.”

*****

Bolstering a Loaded 16U Team Coaching Staff

Ogletree feels the organization has been made even stronger with the addition of Bagarose.

“Having Mike as a full member of our team with his many years of experience even provides more support to our team.” 

Bagarose led the EC Bullets 18U Gold team to a 17^th place finish at 18U Tier 1 Alliance Nationals last year (2025), which was the highest national finish for the club since the inception of the Alliance Nationals.

He will join the first-year Armor Elite Premier 16U –  Ogletree team as it prepares for the upcoming season’s national events and the recruiting landscape ahead.  

Bagarose has previously been ranked in the Top 100 Club Coaches list multiple times over his 14-plus years of travel coaching and as of last year he had produced more than 40 former players in college at all levels.

How did he get associated with Armor Elite?

The long-time coach had told friends he was looking to retire from the travel fastpitch scene, but many still involved in coaching kept in touch, as they knew he enjoyed competing and educating young student-athletes.

The possibility of Mike stepping away from being the dugout was short lived, however. Ironically, one key factor that kept him in coaching was working with his daughter, Kelly Bagarose, who is a high school head coach.

Kelly is in her third year as the head coach at Norcross High in Gwinnett County, Ga., a top 7A program in the Peach State.

Mike took over the role of head coach for the Norcross Middle School feeder program (grades 6-8) this summer and the desire to keep coaching was renewed and strengthened.

“When Kelly asked if I would help coach the middle school program,” the former title-winning club coach laughs, “she knew she had me!”

“I realized that I want to help these younger players understand the fundamentals of the game to compete and have fun all at the same time, now and going forward.”

A fun anecdote to the Norcross High softball team both are involved with happened this week.   

Kelly, who attended South Forsyth High in Cumming, Ga. and helped the softball team make the state championship game three years in a row, got coach against her alma mater on Monday—Alumni Night–and came out on top with a 6-1 victory.

“It was a sad alumni moment,” her father adds, “with her beating her former high school program, but it was a proud coach and father moment for me!”

*****

Armor Elite’s Impressive Run at 14U

The team that Bagarose is joining to coach had a strong showing this summer at the 14U level, even playing up at 16U in some events.

Here’s a look at the team’s results in key tourneys over the last few months:

• Georgia Oaks: playing 16U, the team took 1^st
• March Madness: 16U finished 3^rd
• Bombers Showcase: 16U, came in 2^nd
• PGF Show Me the Money: 14U, end up 3^rd
• Scenic City: 16U, finished 5^th

The run at Scenic City was particularly impressive.

Playing at 14U, the Armor Elite team defeated strong teams from Georgia in the Athletics Gold – Olson and Spencer teams as well as the Atlanta Vipers – Henry and Fischer squads.

Competing up at the 16U level, Coach Ogletree’s team beat the MS Bomers and tied its fellow organization team, Armor Elite Premier – Lynch.

*****

The Armor Elite 16U Elite Coaching Staff

The strong Armor Elite 16U staff got even stronger with Bagarose stepping in to assist two already accomplished coaches in Ogletree and Kerry Pierre.

*** Coach Ogletree’s background is as a healthcare leader, former collegiate athlete, and dedicated coach with a passion for developing others both on and off the field.

At Young Harris College in North Georgia, Racheal lined up at catcher and shortstop.

Her athletic accomplishments include being named a team captain at the prep level, a Georgia All-State Player in 2001 and earning recognition as a Gatorade Will to Win Athlete.

For the past five years, Racheal has continued her love of the game as a softball coach with TN Mojo 2011, Loganville Christian Academy and now Armor Elite Premier.

She is the mother of Eva and Mya Ogletree, Irish twins and members of the Class of 2029. 

*** Pierre is a business owner, devoted family man, and respected sports official.

He and his wife, Renea, are the proud parents of four children: Enjolie, Gabby, Ashtyn, and Kerry Michael and, in addition to his business, Kerry serves as a collegiate basketball referee,

Coach Ogletree adds:

“Kerry’s ability to balance entrepreneurship, athletics, and family life reflects his strong work ethic, leadership, and commitment to excellence.”

Bagarose, for his part, says he’s excited to work with those accomplished coaches.

“I look forward to joining the Armor Elite organization, especially working with Coaches Ogletree and Kerry, and looking forward to an exciting year ahead helping compete for a national championship!”

*****

A Talent-Laden 16U Team

Below is the roster of the Armor Elite 16U – Ogletree team consisting of many of the top 2029’s and ‘30’s in the country.

The “LDM” rankings listed are the Line Drive Media HOT 100 for each of the athlete’s grad year. The stats and scouting reports were provided by the team’s coaches: