This is it. The time has come.

All of the top 12U softball teams in the nation prepare all year to compete at the PGF national championships from July 23-29 in Orange County, Calif.

Watch the 12U Championship Game between Impact Gold Esparza and Texas Sudden Impact LIVE on FloSoftball July 29, 2016 at 1:30 PM PT.





"My teammates and I are super pumped and ready to play some of the top teams in the nation," Georgia Impact-Gusaeff pitcher Sarah Currie said. "We've been working our tails off all year to make our motto '729' a reality. '729' is the date of the PGF championships. To be successful we have to work as a team, stay focused, support each other, get loud and play 'full tilt.'"

Power Surge 03-Bachtell of San Diego come into the PGF Nationals ranked No. 1 in the nation by FloSoftball. Power Surge is fresh off winning the TCS World Series title, but there are many talented teams at PGF.

"To be honest, this is one of the first National Championships where there is no clear cut favorite to win it all," Power Surge coach Jeremy Bachtell said. "Everyone in this thing has been beaten at one time or another. So it will come down to the draw and who is playing the best ball that week. Also, a little bit of luck will be a factor as well."

No. 6 Ohana Tigers-Sanchez, who finished fifth at the TCS World Series and were finalists at the 2015 Monster Mash, have gone up against many of the top teams that will be at PGF.

"Well, obviously, Power Surge Bachtell has proven time and again to be the top team in our division," Ohana Tigers coach Rey Sanchez said. "Coach Bachtell has done a fantastic job put a quality team together and they always seem to be in the mix in every tournament they enter. There are many good teams in our division. Batbusters Garcia can also be considered a contender. I also like Panthers Gold (formerly So Cal 3D) out of Sylmar."

No. 4 Georgia Impact-Gusaeff is another top contender that just lost to OC Batbusters-Garcia for the USA Elite Select World Fastpitch championship in Kansas City on July 16.

"We have been fortunate to see some of the best players in the country this season," Georgia Impact coach Jason Gusaeff said. "We hope that will help us in California. Some of the top pitchers are Lacie Hamm of OC Batbusters-Garcia, Elena Escobar of TN Mojo, the (Birmingham) Bolts have a deep rotation and Jordan Hatch from Team NC is one of the best as well."

Another team to keep an eye on is No. 3 OC Batbusters-Garcia, which knocked off Georgia Impact-Gusaeff to win the USA Elite Select World Fastpitch 12U championship in Kansas City on July 16.

I think the teams ranked in the FloSoftball rankings have a chance to win PGF. - OC Batbusters-Garcia pitcher Lacie Ham

"We've played most of those teams as least once and the games could go either way."

There will be many talented 12U prospects on display.

"(Pitcher) Jordan Hatch with (No. 27) Team North Carolina is a player to watch," Birmingham Thunderbolts coach Lowell Barron said. "She has great command and great movement.  Jordan is a left-handed pitcher with Team North Carolina that will be a force for years to come. Aubrey Barnhart with TN Mojo and Emma Williams with Georgia Impact-Gusaeff are tough outs at the plate."

There are always some teams that come out of nowhere and surprise people at the PGF Nationals. Pitcher Lauren "Lolo" Narvaez hopes Ohana Tigers-Sanchez can leave their mark at PGF this year.

"When people think of Ohana Tigers-Sanchez, they think bout the sixth-ranked team in the country, but to us it's much more than that," Narvaez said. "This team has such a strong bond that can't be broken. We're not only teammates, we are a tight family. That's what makes us so special. There is no doubt in my mind that we have the talent and coaching to win PGF, as long as we continue to play as a team as we have done all season long. With all the hours of practice and blood sweat and tears, there is no doubt that we are all prepared for this tournament. If we can play great defense, solid offense and bring our A game, there's no reason we can't be holding the PGF Nationals trophy high at the end of the day."

TEAMS TO WATCH AT PGF 12U PREMIER NATIONALS

Who: No. 1 Power Surge 03-Bachtell

Why: P/1B Olivia Gigante (2022) has been dominant in the circle and she's a big-time power hitter, P/1B Devyn Greer gives Power Surge depth at pitcher and she's a lefty that can hit for power or slap. 1B/P/OF Angelina Allen (2021) is a pure hitter, which gives PS03 the opportunity to make a run at the national title. Read more

Who: No. 2 Birmingham Thunderbolts 03

Why: The Bolts, who were co-champs at the 2016 Atlanta Legacy Showase, have a triumvirate of dominating pitchers with Acelynn Sellers, Taylor McKinney and Kennedy Barron in the circle. That trio of pitchers is also the meat of the order for the Bolts, who should make a deep run at PGF. Read more

Who: No. 3 OC Batbusters-Garcia

Why: Lacie Ham, a top 2021 right-handed pitching prospect, just led the Batbusters to the USA Elite Select World Fastpitch 12U championship in Kansas City on July 16, and she's a major reason the Batbusters should be top contenders at PGF. 

Who: No. 4 Georgia Impact-Gusaeff

Why: After finishing as runner-ups to OC Batbusters-Garcia at USA Elite Select World Fastpitch 12U championships in Kansas City on July 16, Georgia Impact is expected to be a factor at the PGF Nationals. Georgia Impact is led by power-hitting OF McKenzie Redoutey and the Williams twins, Emma and Ellie. Emma is a power hitter and pitcher and Ellie is a power-hitting catcher.

Who: No. 5 Tennessee Mojo 2021

Why: Mojo is all about pitching and defense, led by Keri Munn (2021), who is a 5-foot-11 pitcher that can bring heat, and Elena Escobar (2021), whose fastball is clocked between 58-62 mph. C/3B Aubrey Barnhart (2021), who already has interest from several SEC schools, is a lefty that hits for high average and has power to the gaps. Read more

Who: No. 6 Ohana Tigers-Sanchez

Why: After finishing fifth at the TCS World Series, Ohana Tigers is ready to make a run at PGF. Lauren "Lolo" Narvaez (2021) is a top pitcher and she's hitting .391, C/1B Alyssa Vasquez (2021) is batting .462 and CF Cassandra "CJ" Garcia (2021) is batting .406.

Who: No. 7 Texas Impact Gold-Esparza

Why: Impact Gold was co-champs with Birmingham Thunderbolts 03 at 2016 Atlanta Legacy Showcase. This Texas club had no fear of comeptition, traveling from coast to coast to qualify for ASA, PGF and USSSA Nationals. Impact Gold's pitchers --- Saleyna Daniel, Brianna Ellis, Jada Scott and Samantha Landry --- have all been clocked in the 60s.

Who: No. 8 Panthers Gold (formerly So Cal 3D-Hernandez)

Why: The Panthers are led by power-hitting Dee Dee Hernandez, who is also a solid pitcher with great movement. The Panthers are in the PGF 12U Nationals for the second straight year.

Who: No. 9 Corona Angels-Red

Why: Corona Angels are experienced against all the top teams in the division and are led by pitcher/cleanup hitter Jordin King.

Who: No. 10 Texas Sudden Impact

Why: Sudden Impact is the reigning ASA 12U champion making its debut at the PGF Nationals. Sudden Impact has a mix of speed and power, led by Giselle Villareal.

Who: No. 11 Firecrackers-Oakes

Why: The battle-tested Firecrackers are a team to keep an eye on because of their explosiveness. SS Reagan Walsh, IF Kelly Breen and 1B/P Charlotte Foriss lead the Firecrackers potent offensive attack.

Who: No. 12 So Cal Athletics-Mercado/Suarez

Why: The So Cal A's won the USSSA national title behind the strong play of power-hitting pitcher Savannah Coyle, who can keep the A's in any game.

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Written by Carlos Arias