Texas Blaze United 12U Crowned 2025 PGF National Champions

TEXAS BLAZE
Aug 18
3 min read

The Texas Blaze United 12U team made history this summer in California, capturing the 2025 PGF National Championship with grit, focus, and a relentless team-first attitude. Their 10–3 victory over the Birmingham Thunderbolts in the title game capped off a remarkable run and cemented their place among the elite in youth fastpitch.

What was the difference maker for the teams success?

The girls were so focused on both sides of the field. Their goal was to win. Win every at bat, win every pitch, win every inning and ultimately win every game. Our chemistry got even stronger day after day. Every kid contributed in every way they could.

Who was the toughest opponent that gave you the most satisfying win and why?

The championship game vs Birmingham Thunderbolts Wilkerson. Every game we were able to jump ahead and get a comfortable lead and be able to play comfortably. In the championship game it wasn’t that way and we had to fight inning after inning for runs and defensive stops.

What are some of the stand-out moments or performances?

Blair Ranly was a tough out at the plate and kept pressure on the bases. She came in second with .559 avg and .571 OBP, 18 hits.
Kennedy Keel made some outstanding defensive plays, incredible IQ plays/decisions. She led the offense with .643 avg, .697 OBP, 19 hits, 7 RBIs, 8 stolen bases.
Maddie Martin held off tough opponents with a 1.24 ERA.
Violet Trujillo played an excellent outfield & was productive with her pinch hitting / running.
Presley Copeland was a huge utility player for us & made her pitching debut after being hurt this spring / summer, she allowed no runs over 2 innings.
Maddie Patterson played with a broken finger and managed to hit .412 with .500 OBP.
Sophia Montemayor played lights out defense and played a big role in our leadership. She executed crucial offensive opportunities, patience at the plate led with BB, 0 strikeouts.
Avery Jewell caught just about all 10 games with very little breaks of the 7 inning games. She had a huge back pick at 2B in the 7th inning to change the game to 2 outs in the championship game.
Luna Leija helped our pitching staff and was ready to play every role the team needed her to.
Emerie Loera was a wall at 3B, she also had have the 2 out, 2 run RBI single in the 4th inning of the championship game to bring us within 1 run from our 3-0 deficit.
Olivia Donner held a 0.84 ERA over 16.2 innings - her best performance was in the championship game (game winning save ) her change up and precision was key to our team winning!
Morgan Henson tied with 7 RBIs and made some big catches in the OF.
Avery Cox helped contribute big wins on the mound and at the plate.

What makes a great coach?

Patience, will to teach more than the game of softball & the ability to help athletes believe in themselves.

What makes a great player?

Commitment, Selflessness, Resiliency & Believing in themselves but most importantly their coaches and teammates.

What makes a great sports parent?

Trust! Commitment, Selflessness & ability to buy in for the sake of the team.

Would you like to mention or thank other people that helped make this journey and or success at the event possible?

I would like to thank every coach who has poured into this teams success, Blaze Academy & Blaze Futures Coaches, Coach Robs Escobedo who has been part of a lot of the girls journeys over the last few years, Coach Jody (Head Coach @ OLLU) he was instrumental with our mental, hitting/pitching preparation this summer. Coach JB for the opportunity to be the 1st ever Blaze United 12u team in the Blaze United Program, most importantly for the support. Thank you to my assistant coaches to include Coach Heath Keel & the United coaches for their contribution at weekly practices & for all the hours everyone contributed to every athlete on the team. Thank you to our parents & my family who helped with my kids to help make it possible for me to coach the team. It would never have been possible without everyone’s contribution, guidance and support.

What is yout WHY when it comes to coaching?

My why is to help them chase and reach their dreams!

The start is to dream, but helping them understand they can accomplish anything they put their mind too and help them along the way is why I do what I do.