Loaded with standout pitching, the Power Surge have been mentioned by many club coaches as a favorite to win a National Championship this summer.

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We spoke with Coach Bachtell about his team's background and expectations… here is what he has to say…

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When did the team/program start and how and why did it come to be?
We started Power Surge 03 Bachtell ("PS03") in the fall of 2014 as a 10U team. We started the team because we saw a need at that age group. There was a lot of local talent and we felt we could make an impact as coaches in that age group.

Where are you based and where do your athletes come from?
Our team is based out of central San Diego and most of our players are from surrounding areas although we do have players from Moreno Valley, Chino Hills Murrieta, and Huntington Beach, California.

What was the purpose of creating the team?
The purpose of creating the team was to teach the proper softball fundamentals and mechanics to an age group that we felt was lacking in that area. Our goal, of course, is to win when we can, but ultimately it is to develop student-athletes who are sound on the field and off.  I am the father of four daughters all of whom play ball, so it was also an opportunity to teach the game to my daughter Jackie as I did with her other sisters.

What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
Some of our successes this year have been placing 1st out of 72 in the fall Monster Mash Tournament, 2nd at the American Athletics Toys for Tots, 3rd at Brenda Marsh and, more recently, we were champions at the Presidents Day Double Elimination tournament and PGF So Cal Qualifier where we went undefeated at both events.
 
What makes the Power Surge organization unique in your opinion?
We have a four-field complex strictly dedicated to our organization and we are also the oldest travel ball organization in San Diego.

What's your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
I have been coaching girls fastpitch for close to 15 years and started in the rec leagues before I began to move into travel with my eldest daughter Josie. I have a baseball background so I immediately fell in love with the sport when my daughter started playing. I have coached many girls over the years and it has truly been my pleasure to do it!

How many teams are there in the organization overall?
We have eight teams in the Power Surge organization overall, two at 18U, two at 16U, one at 14U, three at 12U and one at 10U.

What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
Our primary team goal is to win the PGF National Championship. Next year we will begin our road to recruitment.

What do you think are the strengths of the team?
The strengths of our team are several. I'm a huge defensive guy and I believe defense wins championships so we are very sound defensively and we rarely make mistakes in that area. Thanks to the several hitting coaches in San Diego and my assistant coach, Forrest Levinson--a former San Diego State hitting coach--we can hit the ball with the best of them. But by far our standout area has been our pitching led by Olivia Gigante, a 2022 grad. Olivia has dominated the teams she has faced and continues to grow and get better every day. With our newest pitching addition of Devyn Greer (2021), we hope to have a good run in PGF.
 
If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be?
I think what separates us from other teams is our humility. We are a very humble group. We respect all our opponents, but we fear none. The girls play the game for each other and they understand the importance of team work.

Finally, what other factors would you say add to the success of your Power Surge team?
We have an amazing group of parents! Also, all my girls sit the bench at one time or another and, because we create a competitive environment, we don't lose much by switching kids in and out of position.


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Here is a player-by-player look at the Power Surger-Bachtell 12U team with comments from Head Coach Jeremy Bachtell (players listed alphabetically)

---1st/P/OF Angelina Allen (2021, uncommitted)
"Angelina is one of the best pure hitters I have ever seen in my 15 years of coaching. She provides that lefty bang in our line-up. With constant contact I always feel we have a shot when she is up to bat. Defensively, she will sacrifice body and limb to stop a ball and is constantly thinking ahead. Angelina plays with a smile, but with a tenacity that is prevalent! She is respected amongst her teammates and leads by example."

--- OF/2B Jacqueline Bachtell (2021, uncommitted)
"Jacqueline, or "Jackie," is the ultimate teammate. No matter how things are she always has a smile on her face and is ready to play when called upon."

--- C/3B Sophia Bertucci (2021, uncommitted)
"Sophia came to us straight from the local rec league. She has turned into quite the travel ball player."

--- CF/P Shaylee Chapman (2022, uncommitted)
"Shaylee outfield prowess is unmatched. She gets to everything! She is also the baby of the group being a whole year younger."

--- 3B/P Kayla Chavez (2021, uncommitted)
"Kayla is a quiet young lady, but her game speaks volumes. She also played in the PGF televised championship game last year."

--- 2B/SS Bella Flexen (2021, uncommitted)
"Bella has amazing range and speed. To watch her play is simply a joy especially when she is having fun. As one of our slap hitters she also is constantly on base."

--- P/1B Olivia Gigante (2022, uncommitted)
"Olivia's personality is a bit shy but there is nothing shy about her game. She is our primary pitcher and our power hitter. She has amazing foot work and a solid glove defensively. Offensively she hits the ball with such power it's hard to believe she is only in the 6th grade! In the circle she is in command! Olivia continually pushes herself and puts an amazing amount of time into her craft away from the field. She comes from a loving and outstanding family too. Olivia is our rock!"

--- P/1B Devyn Greer (2021, uncommitted)
"Devyn is a beast of an athlete, too, and as a lefty she hits for power or can slap with speed down the line. In the circle she can dominate with good movement and speed."

--- P/1B Anna Hermann (2021, uncommitted)
"Anna is a very good pitcher with great movement. She loves the game and continues to grow everyday."

--- SS/OF Micaela "Lala" Macario (2021, uncommitted)
"Lala is a beast at shortstop. As one of our slap hitters she has great speed and is constantly on base. I have coached her since she was 10."

--- P/UT Angela Ramos (2021, uncommitted)
"Angela can play anywhere and play anywhere better than most primary position players. I have groomed her to be that way. She literally can play any position."

---C/3B Arisa Tovar (2021, uncommitted)
"Arisa is just an absolute joy to be around. She is the epitome of the word teammate.' It also helps that she is a wall behind the dish. She has the gun and the smarts for the backstop position. Offensively she always seems to get the clutch hit when we need it. But what stands out the most about this young lady is that she is a natural born leader! You can't coach what Arisa has."

--- OF/SS Katy Walling (2021, uncommitted)
"Katy is another great athlete with great range, some of the plays she makes just makes you shake your head in awe."

--- RF/2B Michelle Widelski (2021, uncommitted)
"Michelle is a beast of an athlete.  She has great speed with ridiculous range. She keeps the team loose and is also one of our captains."