The Road to the Rockies at the Triple Crown Ronald McDonald Tournament was held Oct. 16-18 in Houston, TX:

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14U: IMPACT GOLD NATIONAL 2030-CAVE 8, FARM SYSTEMS PROSPECTS 2031/31-STROTHER 5

Impact Gold National 2030-Cave cruised to an 8-5 victory over Farm Systems Prospects 2030/31-Strother in the 14U championship game of the Road to the Rockies at the Triple Crown Ronald McDonald Tournament on Sunday at The Farm League Field in Spring, TX.

With the tournament championship, Impact Gold National 2030 earned a berth in the 14U National Power Pool of the Triple Crown Colorado 4th of July next summer in Denver, CO.

“This weekend was about so much more than wins,” Impact Gold coach Katy Cave said. “It was about believing in each other, trusting the process and seeing the culture we’ve worked so hard to build come to life. These girls play for each other, put the team first and continue to grow together.

“We have a special group with elite defense, speed, power and five arms we trust in any situation. But what makes this team truly dangerous is the heart behind it all.”

2030 1B/3B/P Mackenzie Barborak went 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs and 2031 1B/3B/C Lilly Cave, 2031 MIF Brinley Pevehouse and 2030 RHP/SS Suhina Shetty each collected two hits apiece for Impact Gold National 2030 in the final.

2031 MIF/OF Emma Lepler (.636 AVG, .667 OBP), Barborak (.600 AVG, 2 doubles, 4 HRs, 17 RBIs), 2030 C/OF Madelyn Hall (.526 AVG, .571 OBP), Pevehouse (.526 AVG, .640 OBP, 1 doubles, 2 HRs, 6 RBIs), Shetty (.450 AVG, 1 HR, 7 RBIs) and Cave (.412 OBP, threw out 2 runners) were the standouts for Impact Gold National for the tournament.

2030 RHP Maelyn Keller (1.27 ERA, 24 Ks, .108 BAA) and 2031 RHP Kynzleigh Thomas (0.00 ERA, .209 BAA) were the top pitchers for Impact Gold National 2030.

“(I’m) proud of this group and the momentum we’re building,” Cave said. “Now it’s time to keep believing, keep working and keep trusting each other. Our parents and coaching staff are excited to watch these girls grow over this season.”

Impact Gold National 2030 defeated Texas Twelve American, 6-0, Buzz Gold Futures, 17-5, Texas Glory Gold, 7-4, Outlaws Select 2030, 6-0, and Farm Systems Prospects 2030/31-Strother, 8-5, in bracket games.

Farm Systems Prospects 2030/31-Strother beat Texas Twelves Katy XII National, 11-4, Impact Gold National-Harrington, 3-2, Texas Rip, 4-2, Tornado Athletics Gold, 5-0, and lost to Impact Gold National 2030, 8-5, in bracket games.

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