So Cal A’s Invitational was held June 12-14 n Orange County, CA (All rankings are Line Drive’s Club National Rankings):

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ATHLETICS MERCADO-POTTER VS. LTG-HENDERSON

The Athletics Mercado showed the depth of its organization on Sunday, the first major day of the club softball season.

Athletics Mercado-Potter and #31 LTG-Henderson/Carda decided not to play the championship game and finished as co-champions of the So Cal A’s Invitational on Sunday at Harvard Park in Irvine, CA.

#6 Athletics Mercado-Smith, the top 18U team in the organization, reached the finals of the Triple Crown Brashear Summer Invitational on Sunday at Rosetta Canyon.

Michigan-bound RHP Mia Valbuena (22 IP, 23 Ks, 2.20 ERA), Harvard-committed 2027 SS Tiffany Villegas (.550, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs) and Mississippi State-committed 2027 C Lacy Vantuinen (.536, 2 HRs, 11 RBIs) were the leaders for Athletics Mercado-Potter for the tournament.

“It was huge improvement from last weekend,” Athletics Mercado coach Steve Potter said. “We had a huge amount of power. We got some senior heavy players and it was good to get them out there in this kind of tournament.”

Arizona-committed 2027 OF Taylor Sansaver (.647 AVG, 1.832 OPS, 1.118 SLG, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 5 runs), Cal Poly-bound SS/UT Ava Io (.615 AVG, 1.720 OPS, 1.077 SLG, 3 doubles, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 runs), Cal-bound SS Emalee Cargill (.438 AVG, 1.226 OPS, .750 SLG, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 7 RBIs, 7 runs), Long Beach State-bound OF Emry Couch (.471 AVG, 1.441 OPS, .941 SLG, 5 doubles, 1 HR, 7 RBIs, 3 runs) and Cal Poly-bound MIF Lela Terrazas (.375 AVG, .750 SLG, 3 doubles, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 4 runs) led LTG’s offense. Long Beach State-committed 2027 RHP Payton Prior (16.2 IP, 14 Ks, 2.94 ERA) led LTG’s pitching staff.

“It took contributions from all 15 players available today and they all rose to the occasion in important moments,” LTG coach Mike Oliver said. “I’m very proud (of) the way they battled back from some early deficits by sticking to our game plan for each opponent.”

Athletics Mercado-Potter defeated Cal Cruisers’Sievers, 7-6, Arizona Storm-Downes, 10-7, California Grapettes-Merrida, 5-3, and DNP’d #31 LTG-Henderson/Carda in bracket games.

#31 LTG-Henderson/Carda beat #35 Breakers Lans-Bobby, 8-3, #30 BSC Bengals-Briggs, 6-5, #16 Cal Nuggets-Woods, 3-0, and DNP’d Athletics Mercado-Potter in bracket games.

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