The PGF NorCal Organizational Challenge was held Sept. 12-14 in Salinas, CA:

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18U: WARRIOR ACADEMY-MCDONALD/MULLINS 4, CAL NUGGETS-WOODS 3

Warrior Academy-McDonald/Mullins held on for a 4-3 victory over Cal Nuggets-Woods in the championship game of the PGF NorCal Organizational Challenge on Sunday in Salinas, CA.

Warrior Academy-McDonald is the reigning 16U Alliance national champion.

2028 OF Star Gutierrez went 2 for 3 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs, 2026 corner infielder Skylar Loo went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and Illinois State-committed 2026 C Gianna Galarza went 2-3 for Warrior Academy in the final.

2028 P Bianka Fisher pitched 3.1 innings in the championship game, striking out two and giving up two runs. BYU-committed 2026 RHP Kyleigh Mace came pitched 3.2 innings of relief, giving up one hit with four strikeouts and 0 ERs for Warrior Academy in the final.

Loo (.500 AVG, 1.181 OPS), Mace (16 IP, 1.75 ERA, 13 Ks) and Galarza (.500 AVG, 1.161 OPS) were Warrior Academy’s leaders for the tournament.

“Winning at the 18U level against the best Northern California teams sets a great example for the rest of the program,” Warrior Academy coach Ray McDonald said. “It’s a great start to the fall as our first tournament back, but our goal is to keep getting better, to peak next summer, not in September. We’ll be back at practice tomorrow night.”

Warrior Academy-McDonald/Mullins defeated California Grapettes-Kapp, 2-1, Suncats Jimenez, 5-4, and Cal Nuggets-Woods, 4-3, in bracket games.

Cal Nuggets-Woods beat Lady Magic-Munoz, 3-2, LTG-Henderson/Carda, 5-0, Central Cal Dirtdogs-Vazquez, 3-2, and lost to Warrior Academy-McDonald/Mullins, 4-3, in bracket games.

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16U: LADY MAGIC MUNOZ/ASIA 9, LTG-HENDERSON 7

Lady Magic Munoz-Asia edged NorCal-rival LTG-Henderson, 9-7, to claim the 16U PGF NorCal Organizational Challenge title on Sunday in Salinas, CA.

2028 CF Maddie Rhodus led the team with a .500 batting average, followed by 2029 RF Peyton Williams, who hit .455 with a HR and led the team with six RBIs.

In the circle is where the team shined the brightest as the efforts of 2028 RHP Brooklyn Ainsworth, 2028 RHP Anya Shah, 2028 RHP Makinley Hislop and 2028 RHP Taylor Cordell came together and held teams off balance throughout the tournament.

“Head Coach Larry Asia and staff have done a good job preparing these girls,” Lady Magic coach Lindsey Munoz said. “This win gives this team the confidence to continue to play at the same high level we are used to seeing them play at, even as a first-year 16U team.”

Lady Magic Munoz-Asia defeated Cal Nuggets-Woods, 6-2, Suncats Jimenez-Gutierrez, 2-1, and LTG-Henderson, 9-7, in bracket games.

LTG-Henderson beat Foothill Gold-Stinson, 5-1, Sorcerer-T/K, 7-4, and lost to Lady Magic Munoz-Asia, 9-7, in bracket games.

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14U: LTG-HENDERSON/BUCK 4, LADY MAGIC-ALLEN 2

LTG-Henderson/Buck knocked off Lady Magic-Allen, 4-2, in the championship game to win the 14U PGF NorCal Organization Challenge on Sunday at Salinas, CA.

2029 RHP/UT Maddy Benzler allowed three hits and struck out six in seven innings to lead LTG to a complete game win in the final.

Benzler (.733 AVG, HR), 2029 C/MIF Tamiayh Ward (.667 AVG, 10 hits) and 2030 1B/3B Sophia Puentes (.500 AVG, HR) were LTG’s leaders for the tournament.

“I’m proud of how well the 14s, 16s and 18s represented the LTG organization,” LTG coach Joe Henderson said. “It was a team effort that earned the championship for all three teams. The 14U Henderson/Buck team secured first place, the 16U Henderson/Buck team took second place and the 18U Henderson/Carda team was seeded first. Each team played a crucial role in securing the NorCal organizational championship.”

LTG-Henderson/Buck defeated Warrior Academy-McDonald/O’Brien, 10-2, Central Cal Dirtdogs-Hernandez, 5-4, and Lady Magic-Allen, 4-2, in bracket games.

“We always go out wanting to represent the (organization) in the best way and winning this tournament made it possible to win the whole org challenge and win ten thousand dollars,” LTG coach Amanda Buck said. “We also added some new pieces to our team this fall and it was awesome to see them all come together and all contribute to the wins.
Winning this tournament definitely helped our girls realize they are truly a special group of talented athletes.”

Lady Magic-Allen beat Cal Nuggets-Woods, 3-0, Salinas Storm-Campbell/Meza, 2-0, and lost to LTG-Henderson/Buck, 4-2, in bracket games.

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