The first game of the final day at the 2024 PGF Nationals—the 12U Platinum National Championship—matched two Southern California teams in Ohana OTQ (based in Whittier) and Watson Wolfpack (from Mission Viejo).

The two teams brought a lot of family, friends and fan with them to provide a raucous cheering crowd at DeAnna Manning Stadium in Irving, Calif. to see the Ohana Tigers defeat the Wolfpack thanks to the strong pitching combo of Caitlin Checketts, who went five innings with only one earned run allowed, and the relief effort of Braelyn Todd, who entered in the 6^th inning and closed out the victory by a score of 7-2.

Here’s a clip of the final out and ensuing celebration:

Ohana won after trailing 1-0 in the top of the first, but the Wolfpack’s lead was short-lived as the Tigers answered with two runs in the bottom of the 1^st inning keyed by a two-out, two-run double by first baseman Jeremie Tavera.

The Tigers never trailed again, pushing the game out of reach with three insurance runs in the bottom of the 4° inning and two more in the bottom of the 6^th.

That doesn’t mean the Wolfpack gave up and went home, however.

In the top of the 6^th, the Wolfpack loaded the bases with one out and trailing 5-1, bringing the potential game-tying batter to the plate, but Tood got an infield ground ball and force at home for out No. 2 and then an inning-ending strikeout on a knee-buckling change-up.

The final box score showed that the Wolfpack actually outhit Ohana 8 to 7, but Head Coach Louie Tavera’s team put them together in bunches to give his team its first title.

Here are interviews with Ohana Head Coach Louie Tavera and standout infielder Grace Kim after taking the crown on Sunday at PGF 12U Platinum Nationals:

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball