The first game of Championship Sunday was the PGF 14U Platinum contest between East and West as the two Winners’ Bracket teams—Georgia Impact – Cleghorn and Athletics Mercado – Romero from Southern California—faced off in DeAnna Manning located in Bill Barber Park, Irvine, Calif.

Both teams came into the finale on hot streaks: the Impact went 1-1-1 in pool play and then won six in a row to make Sunday’s championship. The Athletics didn’t lose all week, compiling a 9-0 mark prior to the title game.

The game saw the resolve of the Athletics to respond when pushed as Head Coach Isaiah Romero’s team would jump out to a lead, see the score evened and blow open the game late to secure the Athletics its first championship of the day with a second possibly coming later with the Athletics Mercado – Tidd 14U Premier team set to take the field.

The game was scoreless until the third inning, but it looked like the Athletics had scored in the top of the 1^st inning when Aaliyan Zamano singled and appeared to be safe at second on the front end of an attempted double play as the throw to first went by the first baseman.

However, a challenge by the Impact overturned the call when it was determined Zamano’s pop slide into second left her short and she was subsequently called out.

The apparent run didn’t count, but two innings later the Athletics broke through for three runs which be all starting pitcher Danica Buchanan would need.

In the top of the third with one out, leadoff hitter Ciana Wilson reached on an error and was driven in by a single to left center by shortstop Aaliyah Zamano who would subsequently score on a triple to right center by pitcher Danica Buchanan that rolled to the wall.

With two outs, catcher Macie Ramono hit a blast down the first base line that was barely fair, forcing the first base umpire to jump out of the way, but was enough to plate Nayeli Anguiano, who was running for Buchanan, and put the score at 3-0 to end the top of the 3rd.

In the bottom of the 5^th, the Athletics brought in Jaiah Romero to pitch with one out and a runner on first.

The Impact went scoreless but had their chances—collecting five hits through five innings—but couldn’t string together any scoring opps… until the bottom of the 5^th inning

Second baseman Mackenzie Fritsch led off with a single and Avery Murphy reached on a fielder’s choice. Maddie Davis, at the top of the lineup got her third hit of the day on a ground ball to left field.

L.G. Goldin, on a 3-and-2 count, singled to center to score Murphy and went to second on the throw home with Davis going to third.

With two outs, Gia Gomez hit a soft fly down the first base line that appeared to be caught be second baseman Kailey Murillo for the last out but at the last second the ball fell out of her glove to allow Davis and Goldin to tie the game at 3-3.

The play was reviewed as there was a question if the ball was fair but the call was upheld.

In the top of the 6^th, the Athletics quickly jumped back on top and break the game open with five runs in the inning, most coming with two outs.

Pinch hitter Jaiah Romero hit a single and Anguiano subbed for her on base. She would come around to score on a pop fly single by second baseman Kailey Murillo.

Wilson would single with Murillo going to second and a single by Zamano loaded the bases and, with two outs, and the bases loaded, Buchanan singled to deep left field on a 2-2 count driving in two runs—Murillo and Wilson—to put the lead at 6-3.

Zamano moving to third and Buchanan moving to second on the throw home and would both score on a single to left by Kennedy Okamoto to make the score 8-3.

The Athletics would add a sixth run in the 6^th inning and that was the final score as Coach Romero’s team would have 9 runs, 13 hits and no errors while the Impact would finish with 3 runs, 9 hits and 3 errors.

Danica Buchanan had a big game with the bat as she went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and also was outstanding in the circle, going 4.1 innings with just one earned run allowed along with five hits and no walks.

Ciena Wilson went 2-for-4 with two runs scored leading off and Aaliyan Zamano went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Also driving in two runs each were Mia Zuniga and Makay Ingram.

Jaiah Romero came in to pitch 2.2 innings and gave up two earned runs on four hits while striking out four.

After the game, Coach Romero said what made the difference on this team is that they played as a family.

“No one is out there playing for herself,” he said after the big win that sealed the team with a 10-0 record this week. “Everyone is supporting each other.”

When asked what the team does now, Coach Romero said there wouldn’t be any big celebration or down time.

“We’re probably go to have a dinner real fast and then get back at it,” he said.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball

Check out our highlight package of today’s championship game as produced by Shannon Eads…