The Alliance Fastpitch Championship Series (AFCS) is being held all week in Kokomo, IN (All rankings are Line Drive Hot 50 Club National Rankings):

In 18U:

Kentucky-committed 2025 RHP Hailey Nutter tossed a four-hit shutout with four strikeouts to lead #6 Texas Bombers Gold-Smith to a 4-0 victory over #10 Corona Angels-Tyson in Game 1 of the best-of-3 18U Tier 1 AFCS national championship series on Saturday at Kokomo High Stadium in Indiana.

Game 2 is Sunday at 8:15 a.m. PT at Kokomo High Stadium. If necessary, Game 3 is at 12:45 p.m. PT. The games will be streamed live by Athletes Go Live (AGL).

“Tonight was a big win to get ahead and I knew we needed to take it and so I was doing everything in my power to just play pitch by pitch and win each inning,” Nutter said. “Heading in tomorrow we just need to bring the same fight!!”

The Texas Bombers have yet to win an 18U Tier 1 national title, which is considered the top level in club softball. They reached the 18U Tier national finals in 2022 and 2021 and they won an 18U Tier 3 title in 2023.

“Tonight was a special moment for our team because I really feel like we played as complete a game as we have played all year!” Texas Bombers coach Scott Smith said. “We knew that was what it was going to take against a team of that quality! Hailey Nutter was incredible tonight throwing a 7-inning shutout for the second time today! Offensively, Izzy Cruz really set the tone for us and the rest of the team followed suit! We still have a lot of work to do!!!”

Texas A&M-bound OF Harley Vestal drove in Florida-bound OF Towsen Thomas with a two-out single in the bottom of the 1st inning as the Texas Bombers took a 1-0 lead.

Utah-committed 2025 IF Izzy Cruz hit a solo homer to left field in the bottom of the 2nd inning to give the Texas Bombers a 2-0 lead over the Corona Angels.

Tennessee-committed 2025 C/IF Elsa Morrison delivered a solo blast to left field in the bottom of the 3rd inning as the Texas Bombers increased their lead to 3-0.

Thomas, who went 2 for 3 with two runs, stole home plate on a first-and-third play to make it 4-0 in the bottom of the 5th inning.

Houston-bound C/IF/OF Isabel Cintron went 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs and Southern Utah-bound CF Michaella Salvatierra went 3 for 3 with three runs and an RBI to help Corona Angels-Tyson to an 8-3 upset over #1 OC Batbusters-Stith, the two-time defending Alliance National champion, to reach the national championship series.

“(Ole Miss-bound RHP) Miali Guachino pitched her butt off against one of the best offenses in the country,” Corona Angels coach Marty Tyson said. “( Isabel Cintron’s homer energized our team. Our team defense stands alone.”

Texas Bombers Gold-Smith beat #16 Impact Gold-Jackson twice, 4-0 and 4-0, to earn its spot in the national championship series. Arizona State-bound RHP Cambree Creager pitched a two-hitter with five strikeouts for the Bombers in the “IF” game against Impact Gold.

“They are one of best coached teams in the country,” Texas Bombers coach Smith said of Corona Angels-Tyson, “and when you mix that with the incredible group of athletes that they have, they will for sure be a tough matchup!”

In 16U:

Texas Glory-Shelton pulled out a 2-1 victory over #34 Louisville Lady Sluggers-Wathen in Game 1 of the best-of-3 16U Tier 1 AFCS national championship series on Saturday at Kokomo High Stadium in Indiana.

The national championship series continues with Game 2 on Sunday at 6 a.m. PT at Kokomo High Stadium. If necessary, Game 3 is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. PT on Sunday at Kokomo High Stadium. The games will be streamed live by AGL.

“(It was) a good start,” Texas Glory coach Kevin Shelton said. “Solid fundamentals. One pitch at a time. Still a long way to go.”

Eastern Kentucky-committed 2025 LHP Abigail Byrd kept Texas Glory off balance with her offspeed pitches for much of the game, then gave up a leadoff walk to 2026 C Presley Kilgore, a sacrifice by 2026 SS Mackenna Jackson and an RBI double by 2027 2B Hope Guadio, who went 2 for 3, that gave Texas Glory a 1-0 lead in the top of the 5th inning. 1B Hayden Mowery drove in another run with a bunt and a fielder’s choice for a 2-0 lead.

Uncommitted 2025 3B/SS/CF Jenna Lindsey led off the bottom of the 5th inning with a single, moved to second on 2026 SS McLaine Hudson’s sacrifice and scored on Central Florida-committed 2025 RHP/UT Tori Payne’s RBI single as the Lady Sluggers cut Texas Glory’s lead to 2-1.

Uncommitted 2025 PH Rylee Limberger got a one-out double in the top of the 7th inning to keep the Lady Sluggers’ hopes alive, but 2026 RHP Madelyn Doty got the final two outs to record the save. 2026 RHP Avery Howerton started and worked 4.1 innings, allowing four hits and striking out two to earn the win.

Texas Glory-Shelton beat #31 Texas Bombers Gold-Serie, 2-1, to earn its spot in the 16U national championship series. Doty started and got the win, allowing four hits and one run with 12 strikeouts in 6.1 innings and Howerton got the final two outs to record the save.

“My thoughts are about us,” Shelton said. “(I’m) proud of our group. They are (a) happy, fun bunch that love each other. Super coachable and eager to continue to improve. (It’s) been a long, hard successful summer. (We’re) excited for the next test. Standard expectations. Focus on being our best on the next pitch.”

Louisville Lady Sluggers-Wathen scored three runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to defeat Turnin2-Pezz/King, 12-11, to qualify for the 16U national championship series. Uncommitted 2025 3B/OF Ashtyn Holbrook’s two-run double gave the Lady Sluggers the walk-off win.

“I’m thrilled for our kids that we’re in the championship,” Lady Sluggers coach Shannon Wathen said. “They’ve certainly worked hard and earned it. You don’t get to this point in a big-time tournament unless you’re talented, so we know Texas Glory will be a challenge. We have had a great summer that’s built up to this, so we’re ready.”

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