During the weekend of Jan. 24-25, the Best of the West tournament was held in Southern Calif. featuring many of the top 16U teams in the country.

The winner of the event that featured Batbusters, Corona Angels, So Cal A’s and Firecracker teams was OC Batbusters – Briggs which we recently featured as the No. 4 team in the preseason FAB 50 16U Club Rankings.

Below, you’ll learn more about this excellent team coached by Roseann Briggs and assisted by her husband Ken Briggs as well as Jim Espalin and Steve Martinez. 

“Marlece Hornbuckle and Danny Murakami also help,” adds Coach Roseann Briggs. “Marlece also coaches Stockdale High in Bakersfield and Danny is one of the best outfield coaches in the country. He has coached many great players.”

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FullCountSoftball.com: How did you get involved with the OC Batbusters organization?
Roseann Briggs: We started coaching with the OC Batbusters 10U for our youngest daughter.

FCS.com: Where are you based and where do your players come from?
RB: We practice in Placentia (Calif.) and have players coming from San Bernardino, Palos Verdes and as far away as Bakersfield.       

FCS.com: What was the purpose of creating the team, was it to showcase players, win titles, develop skills or for other reasons?
RB: Our goal is to teach the game and develop proper mechanics as well as improve the mental aspect of the game. We want to prepare our girls for high school and college.

FCS.com: What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events?
RB: We have been fortunate to place in the Top 5 at ASA and PGF Nationals. Most recently, we just won the Best of the West 16U hosted by OC Batbusters Smith.

FCS.com: What makes the Briggs’ team unique?
RB: I think it’s that we truly are a team. Our players know that on the field we have each others’ backs. We will never give up and will do whatever it takes to achieve our goals.

FCS.com: What’s your softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the team?
RB: We started coaching softball with our oldest daughter 13 years ago. Our coaching staff is very qualified. They all played pro or college ball and our coaches have been very successful. We love the game and all it has to offer.

FCS.com: What do you like best about coaching this group of girls?
RB: Coaching these players and seeing their growth as players and people is what makes this so enjoyable.

FCS.com: What is your primary focus or goal with this team?
RB: I’d say our main goal is to prepare the girls for 18U and college as well as get each player committed. Also, we strive to win PGF Nationals.

FCS.com: What do you think are the strengths of the team?
RB: We can hit for power and play the small game, our defense is pretty solid, we have a strong pitching staff and we run the bases well. Also, this team will fight until the end.

FCS.com: What would you say makes your team one of the best in the country?
RB: First, our girls practice at a very high level. Then there are high expectations for this team and they meet them every time we work. These girls will not let anyone outwork them.

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Here’s a look at the OC Batbusters – Briggs team with comments on each player by Coach Briggs:

— OF Alyssa Avalos (2017, uncommitted)
“Alyssa is a lefty slapper and we’re looking for her to be a good leadoff hitter and set the table for our talented hitters that follow. They say speed kills and that’s what she has. She just puts the ball in play.”

— P Phoenix Baez (2018, uncommitted)
“Phoenix just joined our team and she should really help our talented pitching staff. She had good spin and hits her spots well.”

— P Hannah Balke (2016, uncommitted)
“We faced Hannah in the 12U ASA Nationals where she threw 64 mph plus. She’s very intelligent and is coming off a broken wrist, but she’s getting back to her old self and she can help us win.”

— OF Ciara Briggs (2019 OF, uncommitted)
“Ciara is one of the top 2019 outfielders in the country and is the only eighth grader on the team. She’s already receiving lots of interest. Ciara works extremely hard and is a lefty who can hit and play small ball very well. She’s also smart on the bases and can run. Ciara will play center for us.”

— P Maddy Dwyer (2017, uncommitted)
“Maddy is one of the top 2017 pitchers in the country. She’s in her fifth year with us and a pleasure to coach. Maddy is one of our team leaders, she just works hard, can hit and play first. She’s a good all-around athlete as well.”

— C Lauren Espalin (2017, uncommitted)
“Lauren is a lefty power hitter and usually catchers are slow but she can run the bases well… no courtesy runner for her! Lauren has a strong arm and was a member of our 18G team that won PGF Platinum last year—she was the starting catcher and hit third in the line-up. We have had the pleasure to coach her the last three years.”

— MIF Maddie Flores (2017, uncommitted)
“Maddie comes back for her second year with us as she was on Mike Stith’s 18U team last year. She’s a hard worker and will play second base for us. Her older sister Morgan is a 2015 catcher committed to Washington and plays on the OC Batbusters – Haning-Stith team that won PGF 18U Premier Nationals last year. Maddie has a great glove that will make our middle strong.”

— OF McKenna Gray (2017, Fresno State)
“We picked McKenna up at our tryout this year. She flat out swings the bat and knows how to play the game. McKenna is more of a quiet leader and hard worker. We’re looking for her to drive in a lot of runs for us.”

— 2B Cheyenne Hornbuckle (2018, uncommitted)
“Cheyenne is in her second year with us. She plays second base and catches everything that comes to her. Cheyenne is a lefty hitter who can play small ball and hit gaps. She’s an extremely hard worker and will go to battle for you.”

— Ariel Johnson (2018, uncommitted)
“Ariel just joined our team after moving here from Georgia last summer. She’s strong and is a young pitcher with good composure. Ariel has a natural drop spin and she will help our pitching staff as she has lots of potential.”

— 3B Hannah Martinez (2017, Arizona)
“There’s a reason Hannah is committed to Arizona and was ranked as the No. 58 player in the Full Count Softball 2017 Hot 100: she can flat out play! Hannah hits for average and power and has played with us from 10U to 14U. She played for Mike Stith’s 18U team last year and we are very happy and fortunate to have her back. She is an all out gamer.”

— IF Maxine Ortega (2017, uncommitted)
“Maxine started playing with us last year at 14U. She’s a corner player who can hit and she will play third and first for us. Maxine will definitely by in the lineup because of her bat. She’s a smart and aggressive base runner who loves to be in the big fight.”

— IF Nala Osorio (2017, uncommitted)
“Nala came to us as a third baseman but is also getting used at first base. She works extremely hard and has good power. Nala will help us as a hitter.”

— SS Abby Robertson (2017, Utah)
“Abby is a strong kid and in her first year playing short. She came to our tryout and we picked her up because she was a baller. Abby attended the OnDeck camp in Arizona and had committed to Utah. She also has a strong arm and is the girl on the team who makes everyone laugh.”

— C Teah Thies (2018, uncommitted)
“Teah is in her third year playing with us. She handles pitchers very well and is very knowledgeable. Defensively she’s solid and calls a great game. Teah is a natural behind the plate and is a lefty hitter who can play small ball and just get on base.”

— OF Taryn Young (2017, uncommitted)
“Taryn is an outfielder we have coached since 8U. She’s a smart and aggressive baserunner with great power and solid skills. Taryn reads the ball well and has made some great plays. Her older sister Lauren plays at Arizona.”