FAB 50 18U Club Rankings – Vol. 1 (1/20)

Jan 21, 2015 by Brentt Eads

And here we go! We kick off our start of the FAB 50 Club Rankings by looking at the top teams in the 18U division.

We rank them 1 through 50 and have blurbs on the first 25 and even have the Next 50 In… note that this list is as the teams stand NOW. There will be players emerging, others getting injured and some jumping teams which will all impact which teams rise and fall.

If you have input on teams below or others not included, feel free to send your info/arguments to Brentt@FullCountSoftball.com!

Taylor McQuillin of the OC Batbusters pitches in the last inning of the 2014 PGF Nationals title game.

OC Batbusters Haning/Stith

Comments: pitching, hitting, speed – they have it all and all the way through the lineup – this team is seasoned and knows how to win

Corona Angels – Tyson

Comments: not as strong as last summer but still at the top with Garcia pitching. Marty Tyson always reloads and is competitive…

Beverly Bandits

Comments: will have one of the top pitching staffs out there with Taran Alvelo, Miranda Elish, and Alexis Holloway – and this game is about pitching –will need players to step up with graduation of 2014 Hot 100 No. 1 Jenna Lilley and other top seniors from last year – Conroy usually just reloads but tough to find another Lilley.

Birmingham Thunderbolts

Comments: Shea has assembled a very good team this year, although the loss of highly ranked Kenzi Maguire to a season-ending knee injury will hurt but he still has the players to get it done. This will be his best team ever.

East Cobb Bullets – Schnute

Comments: Barnhill, Barnhill, Barnhill! With Kelly Barhill in the circle this team can beat anyone, though it will need to find offense to beat the top teams.

So Cal Athletics – Richardson

Comments: the A’s can hit but will they find the pitching to lead them to another top 5 finish? Potential big questions as the team looks to find an ace on the staff.

Megan Kleist of Firecrackers-Rico.

Firecrackers – Rico

Comments: this team can run, run, run and has lots of speed and with the addition of Eliyah Flores and Alexis Allan, they have power too. The key for their team this summer will be Megan Kleist, the pitcher from Wisconsin. Big question: will Brianne Tautalafua be back at full strength by the summer?

Explosion – Denio

Comments: good balance of hitting and pitching, the defense will be the key for a strong summer run.

So Cal Choppers

Comments: another very good hitting team although the lack of pitching depth will be the question. Caitlyn Brooks will need to pitch well for another top 10 finish.

Lady Lightning Gold Team Miken

Comments: Coach John Corn seems to always find the best talent in his area and with Reagan Green in the circle, he has a chance to win any game. Some new key pickups will only add to his already strong roster.

Texas Glory – Shelton

Comments: The new GM of the Dallas NPF team knows his club way around too; Shelton always has one of the top teams in Texas and the country and expect the same again this year.

Jersey Intensity – KOD

Comments: Kevin O’Donnell has once again assembled a top team from all over the East Coast and with some good young pitchers, he will be in the mix this year.

Sorcerer Gold

Comments: the team lost a lot of talent with the graduation of Kylie Perez, Julia DePonte and Johanna Grauer but still has the talent to play with the best. The key for them is the improvement of young pitchers Holly Acevedo.

Brooke Vestal pitching at the Ronald McDonald tournament.

Texas Bombers – Smith

Comments: this could be Scott Smith‘s best club ever as he picked up some good talent in Sam Show and several other Texas A&M commits. Also, pitcher Brooke Vestal‘s development will be a key to the Bombers’ success.

Wichita Mustangs

Comments: Mark Griggs seems to always find a way each year to bring in good talent and his addition of Lauren Mathis will help Sydney Smith in the circle this summer

Impact Gold – Jackson

Comments: KC Jackson’s team is loaded with Big 12 talent and the talented Texas team will go as far as the pitching takes it.

Carolina Elite

Comments: here is a team that continues to climb up the rankings the past few years and with several power hitters, they will always be in a game.

Bownet

Comments: Meehra Nelson can pitch with the best of them and she will be key to another top 20 finish this summer.

Gold Coast Hurricanes

Comments: Marty Cooper has long been one of the top coaches in high school and club in Florida and the Hurricanes always have a pipeline of young talent to make them competitive.

Rhode Island Thunder

Coach Dave Lotti of the Rhode Island Thunder.20. Gold Coast Hurricanes

Comments: Dave Lotti is one of the better coaches in the country and is always good at getting his team ready; once again they will compete with the best as these kids play hard and smart.

Nebraska Gold

Comments: The Gold lost key players to graduation but have young pitching that will keep then in the hunt.

TXFC May

Comments: Connie May’s team finished in the top 20 and surprised many last year but don’t be surprised to see them make another run to the top in ’15.

All American Sports Academy

Comments: Bryan Merrida always has a well-coached team with lots of young talent as Nerissa Long throws in the high 60’s and when she is on, she is tough to beat. AASA picked up some power with the addition of Dominique Jackson (Fresno State) and with Madi Nickles and Jessica Garcia this is a team to not be overlooked.

KC Peppers

Comments: the loss of Allison Stewart to graduation will hurt but Dan Eakin always seems to find the players to lead him to a top 20 finish at PGF.

Wagners Gold

Comments: the ASA Champs from last year will need to find someone to replace Lele Ocasio but Wagners Gold is always one of the top teams from Florida

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