13U & 14U Spotlight: Strong Starts, Bright Futures
13U & 14U Spotlight: Strong Starts, Bright Futures
As our 13U Black and 14U (2030 Black) squads prepare for their fourth tournament of the summer, it’s a great time to take a look back at the first half of the season and recognize some of the players who have helped set the tone for our #MidsouthMafia teams.
The records only tell part of the story. Both groups have faced quality competition, battled through adversity, and continue to improve week after week. More importantly, they are beginning to find their identity as teams, and that growth is showing on the field.
13U Black
The 13U Black squad currently sits at 5-6 on the season, but the trajectory of this group has been encouraging. Since opening weekend, the boys have settled in, posting a 5-3 mark while making two bracket-play appearances, including a championship game run and a quarterfinal appearance this past weekend.
The chemistry is improving, the confidence is growing, and with three consecutive weekends of baseball ahead, this team looks poised to continue building momentum.
Cameron Holland
Few hitters have been swinging a hotter bat than Cameron Holland.
Fresh off a strong middle school season, Cameron has carried that success into summer baseball and has become one of the toughest outs in the lineup. Every at-bat seems impactful, and his ability to consistently square up baseballs has helped spark the offense throughout the summer.
Stats: .435 AVG | .581 OBP | 1 2B | 1 HR
Keegan Brooksher
If you’ve followed Keegan Brooksher for any length of time, you know exactly what he does—he hits.
Keegan continues to be one of the most reliable bats in the lineup, consistently finding barrels and driving quality at-bats. As he continues to settle into the summer season, expect even bigger numbers to come.
Stats: .381 AVG | .536 OBP | 2 2B | 5 RBI
Jax Long
Jax Long has been a major contributor both offensively and defensively.
At the plate, he continues to produce while also handling the demanding responsibilities behind the dish. Catchers who can impact the game on both sides of the ball are invaluable, and Jax has done exactly that for this group.
Stats: .348 AVG | .483 OBP | 1 2B | 4 RBI
Bennett Wright
Bennett Wright has worn several hats for this team.
One of the club’s go-to arms on the mound, Bennett has also emerged as one of the most productive hitters in the lineup. His ability to contribute in multiple phases of the game has been a huge reason for the team’s recent success.
Stats: .346 AVG | .469 OBP | 3 2B | 2 3B | 7 RBI
Drew Hughes
Pitching at the 13U level is never easy, especially with the offensive firepower that comes with drop-5 bats. Drew Hughes has embraced the challenge.
Time after time, Drew has stepped into big situations and delivered quality innings. His ability to compete and attack hitters has provided stability to the pitching staff.
Stats: 7.2 IP | 2 ER | 8 K | 1.83 ERA
2030 Black (14U)
The 2030 Black group enters the next stretch of the season with a 3-8 record, but that record doesn’t accurately reflect the level of baseball this team has played.
The boys have consistently challenged themselves against strong competition, and several games have come down to a single play, big hit, or key out. Four contests have been decided by two runs or fewer, showing just how close this team has been to flipping the script.
While the wins haven’t always followed, the growth absolutely has. That progress was evident during their recent trip to Hoover, and there’s plenty of reason to believe this team is headed in the right direction.
Vin Bell
Vin Bell has been the offensive catalyst for the 2030 squad.
Whether it’s producing at the plate or handling responsibilities up the middle defensively, Vin has continued to grow in confidence and consistency every weekend.
Stats: .375 AVG | .444 OBP | 2 2B | 3 RBI
Hayden Johns
Hayden Johns has quietly become one of the team’s most dependable contributors.
In addition to providing valuable innings on the mound, Hayden has consistently delivered quality at-bats and helped stabilize the offense throughout the early part of the season.
Stats: .333 AVG | .429 OBP | 3 RBI
Ames Thomas
The left-handed bat of Ames Thomas remains a major weapon for this lineup.
When Ames gets rolling, he changes the complexion of the offense. His ability to get on base and drive baseballs will be a key factor as the team enters the second half of the season.
Stats: .304 AVG | .467 OBP | 1 2B | 3 RBI
Reid Fresorger
Reid Fresorger continues to be one of the most versatile and productive players on the roster.
His ability to play multiple positions while producing in key offensive situations has made him one of the team’s most valuable pieces.
Stats: .300 AVG | .500 OBP | 1 3B | 10 RBI
Looking Ahead
As both teams prepare for another busy stretch of tournament baseball, there is plenty to be excited about.
The 13U Black group is beginning to find its rhythm and has already shown it can make noise in bracket play. Meanwhile, the 2030 Black squad continues to battle against top competition and gain valuable experience that should pay dividends later in the summer.
The beauty of baseball is that every weekend presents a new opportunity. String together a few wins, make a deep bracket run, and suddenly the story of the season looks completely different.
The first half has provided plenty of positives. Now it’s time to build on them.
#MidsouthMafia | www.5starmidsouth.com