We continue our look at the top 2016 pre-summer club rankings for the 12U age division by spotlighting the teams ranked 40-31.

Each day this week we’re revealing 10 teams as we unveil on Friday the final Top 10!

Here’s the schedule:
Mon., May 16: No.’s 50-41
Tue., May 17: No.’s 40-31
Wed., May 18: No.’s 30-21
Thu., May 19: No.’s 20-11
Fri., May 20: No.’s 10-1
Sat., May 21: Next Teams In

Teams were selected based on performances and results in events over the last year, including this fall and winter, as well as how they project for the summer with the talent returning for the upcoming run at Nationals.

Input was also provided by dozens of top club and college coaches from around the nation.


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40—Nor Cal Xperience

The Xperience is one of the top teams in Northern and Central California and has gone 34-6 since September 1 playing predominantly in ASA and USSSA tournaments. The Scott Einhorn coached team has also played up in many 14U tournaments—three of the losses were playing older teams-- and have been competitive because of strong pitching, solid defense and improving offensive firepower. The Xperience won two fall tournaments and in March took first at the USSSA Easter tournament. The pitching is led by Carly Smithers and Paige Maier, who are also threats at the plate. Molly Newquist is a rock solid shortstop and Sydney Einhorn and Lindsay Vives hit 3-4 in the lineup and share catcher and third base duties.   Both have tremendous power and hit for a high average. 1B/OF Lauren Prior also helps drive the batting attack.

39—LTG Lions

The LTG Lions 12U team—“LTG” stands for “Love The Game,” by the way-- -works closely with 16U Head Coach Jim Carda, father of former UCLA standout pitcher Ally Carda, as well as 14U Head Coach Joe Henderson to give the young players experience with older competition. The core of the team, which is all 2021s except for a pair of ‘22s, has been together for two years and is fundamentally strong with strong bats throughout the lineup. The second-year 12U team had three 1 st place finishes at local NorCal tourneys in the fall. The team, coached by Josh Goard has rolled this spring also and went 4-0 at the PGF Sacramento Qualifier to punch its ticket for Huntington Beach this summer.

38—Georgia Impact-Langston

The Impact team, coached by Michael Langston, has gone 37-10-1 this spring and is one of the top 2004 teams in the nation with all 2022 grads except one 2023 player. The team is built on pitching speed and defense and is comprised of Georgia players along with several from Tennessee and Arkansas. Since moving up to 12U in the fall, the Impact team has won five tournaments including the USSSA Fall Georgia State Championship that included fellow 12U Impact powerhouse, Georgia Impact Gusaeff. The core group of girls finished tied for 3rd at the PGF Nationals in 10U as Fury 04 before moving to the Impact organization. Key players include P Emma Langston, IF Aspen Calloway, IF Bionna Condon, OF Taylor Malvin and C Allie Farrow.

37—Next Level Softball Elite

NLS Elite is a second-year 12U with eleven 2021 players and one 2022. The Florida-based team has compiled a 67-22- 2 record since forming in late August of last year. The team consistently plays up at the 14U and even 16U level against top competition in the Sunshine State, especially in its Tampa Bay home area. Under Coach Rob White’s leadership, NLS Elite was the first in the Southeast to win a USA Elite Qualifier going undefeated to secure a berth to the World Fastpitch Championship this summer. The Elite has also qualified for the ASA 12U National tournament. The hallmarks of the team are power bats. speed and strong defense including two catchers with cannon arms: Jenna Lord and Emily Smith. Offensively, the team has 10 players who have the ability to go yard at any time. The team works out with former Florida State players Ashley and Courtney Stager at the Next Level Training facility in Tampa Bay.

36—Texas Bombers HTX-Graham

The Texas Bombers HTX-Graham team combines pitching, offense and strong defense to make the team one of the best in the Southwest. The Bombers have won several 12U championships this spring including the Triple Crown Shootout and the 4 the Heroes Invitational and, most recently, won the PGF Qualifier earning a berth to PGF Nationals this summer. Key players to watch are hard-throwing righty pitcher Emily Garcia and lefty Addison Lewhew who moves the ball well and complements well Garcia’s power. The defense is solid behind 3B Haley Wilkerson and MIF Jillian Gutierrez and the offense is led by the speed of Kiren Diaz and Alyana Calvillo while Haidyn Hardcastle hits for both power and average and leads the team in homers.

35—Explosion Vega

The Explosion organization has had solid older teams for several years and is now filling in the young age groups with teams loaded with talent and chemistry. The So Cal team led by Cassandra Vega is one of the best defensive teams in the nation and even if not hitting the defense keeps Explosion in games. Last summer the team finished in the Gold Bracket at TCS World Series as first year 12s and this year the squad has had Top 5 finishes in the ASA Thanksgiving Tourney and the St. Patty’s Day Blast. Additionally, in every tournament since last summer the Explosion has finished in the Gold Bracket if offered. Leading the offensive attack is IF/OF Priscilla Estrada, a lefty slapper who leads off and hits in the .400 range, and power hitter Nikki Barbosa, who is also a .400 hitter with an outstanding glove at short and third.

34—Cincy Slammers

One of the top teams in the Midwest, the Slammers have gone 38-14- 2 this year playing top-rated 12U and 14U teams. Led by Julie Joseforsky, the Mason, Ohio-based team—all the players are from the Cincinnati area— has won five tournaments this year including a 1 st place finish at the ASA/USA National Qualifier as well as a 2nd place finish at the USSSA Fall Classic. The team is led by P/SS Sydney Carter, who many feel is the top pitcher her age in Ohio. She hits mid-50’s and throws every pitch with accuracy. She’s also a switch-hitter who slaps and hits over .508 thanks to great base speed. C/1B Jess Kincer is a highly-touted catcher and lefty hitter who leads the Slammers in extra base hits. The Slammers have five slappers and excellent team speed including CF Olivia Craycraft, P/OF Megan Kincer, OF Chloe Adkins, 3B Ryan Kennedy and 2B Ashley Shelton.

33—Georgia Select

The Select team coached by Eric Bourrie has players from five counties in North Georgia and this spring has gone 32-11 and has had Top 5 finishes in almost all tournaments this year including taking 2nd place finishes at the USSSA March Madness and the Georgia ASA National Qualifier to earn a berth to ASA Nationals in Salem, Virginia. Offensively, OF Kailyn Jones sets the bat at the top of the order and this year has gone 51-of- 53 in steals with a .547 OBP. The pitching is led by Kaitlyn Bennett, who mixes pitches well and changes speeds, and Elle Lunsford, who has an excellent curve and effective change-up, recording 126 Ks in 91innings. C/SS Skyler Gilbert shuts down the opponents running game and is also a defensive standout in shortstop, routinely making backhands deep in the hole to nail hitters with her cannon arm.

32—OC Batbuster-Pantages

As a true first-year 12U team in 2015, the OC Batbusters-Pantages team had a Top 12 finish and two Top 10 finishes in three PGF qualifiers.  Jason Pantages’s team also finished 17th at the TCS World Series in Salt Lake City. This year, the Batbusters team has a 49-8- 3 record in friendlies and tournaments with notable wins over a half dozen FAB 50 teams. The Whittier, California-based team earned its PGF Nationals berth by going undefeated in the Las Vegas Qualifier. Fundamentally sound, the Batbusters have a pair of dominating power pitchers in righties Jasmine Sofowora and Kendall Mangel and defensively has an outfield led by Marissa Leon that is among the best in 12U. Offensively, the team is led by Sofowora (who also plays shortstop), 3B Britney Moreno, and CF Natalie Dennis.  The team also has two solid catchers in Josie DiPillo and Bernice Preciado, who also play and shortstop.

31—Ohio Outlaws

Tom Schmeiser has brought together a core of talented and athletic players with many now playing their second year together. The Akron, Ohio-based team has played an aggressive Midwest schedule in the fall and winter primarily against top-level 12U teams with two tournaments at the 14U level, compiling a 27-5- 2 mark with three of the losses against 14U teams. Players to watch include Maddy Schmeiser, the coach’s daughter, who has been with the team since its inception in the Fall of 2013 and played with the Outlaws at PGF Nationals last year. A lefty slapper who can hit for power too, she leads the team with a .655 average and is top 3 in every offensive category. Other standouts include another lefty slapper, Emma Barnes, an outfielder who hits lead-off and has a .500 batting average this year and P/OF Lydia Spalding, a lefty who hits the high 50’s on the gun with good natural movement and also has speed, leading the team in steals.