Event Spotlight: 2024 Top Gun Invitational Championships… Title-Winners Crowned on Field (Mostly) (June 16, 2024) (2024)

After the 2024 Top Gun Invitational in Shawnee, Kansas, kicked off Thursday with more than 300 teams from 36 states competing in front of nearly 350 college coaches, the event wrapped today with championships in each of the six age divisions (12U, 14U, 16U Maverick, 16U Viper, 18U Maverick and 18U Viper).

But that doesn’t mean every final game was played, however… more on that in a second….

In the three days leading up to Championship Sunday, there were five games played in Pool player and then a minimum, one-and-done Bracket level of competition with winner-take-all games.

Of the 300-plus number of club teams, only about 100 was left to compete on Sunday and those were quickly whittled down to the quarter finals, semi’s and, ultimately, the Top Gun Invitational championships in the late afternoon.

Today’s action wrapped up the fourth and final day of play at Top Gun and here’s a look at how the titles were won in each division… with one MAJOR twist…

*****

18U Maverick: Lady Lightning Gold 0, Impact – Caymol 0

* The 18U Maverick championship was, well, let’s just say… interesting.

Why?

Because it didn’t happen as the two finalists—the Lady Lightning Gold (LLG) – Corn and Impact – Caymol teams agreed to be Co-Champs and not play the championship contest.

Why not?

Because some players and their families had to catch flights home and the fear was that playing the finale would lead to three or more to miss flights.

Another interesting point: going into the semi’s, the Rock Gold – Manetta 18U team was in the same exact position: if the team from Pennsylvania won to reach the finals, it was probably going to have to forfeit as well.

But that didn’t happen and not by a long shot.

Sophia Kardatzke was the game’s first hitter and the 2024 pitcher/outfielder hit a home run to put her Rock Gold team ahead 1-0. And THEN, in the bottom of the first inning, Impact scored 14 runs… all before the first out was recorded!

That’s right: folks had barely found their seats and only three outs into the game the score was 14-1 and before the inning was through, the score would be 18-1… by the end of the first inning.

Kinzey Woody, a corner infielder, led the barrage with a home run and five RBIs and Virginia Tech middle infielder Gaby Mizelle would also drive in five runs.

The Caymol – Impact team, which has 16 players committed and only four not committed (and one of those is a 2028 and two others are 2027) looked like it could have won it all at 18U… but so could have John Corn’s powerful LLG squad.

The worst part, however, was that several parents had switched flights returning home and ultimately didn’t have to because the title match wasn’t played.

In other words, some unfortunate moms and dads paid over $1,000 to push back flights—one mom on the LLG team spend $1,200—when it ended up they didn’t need to.

Ouch.

*****

Spotlight on Lady Lighting Gold DPS

The LLGDPS team, according to Head Coach John Corn, played a tourney that “was full of amazing moments.”

In four days, the team from North Carolina, had 12 team home runs, 25 steals, and outscored opponents 49-15.

Adds the head coach:

“Our potent offense consistently exploded for runs against top-level pitching and also worked to manufacture runs in lower scoring contests.”

Lady Lightning Gold had six batters that hit over .300, led by Kendra Lewis, a 2024 Wisconsin signee, and Taniyah Thomas, an uncommitted ’25 who should get a lot of attention after her sizzling time at Top Gun.

Here’s some video clips from Taniya’s Twitter account:

Had a great time in MO!Next up Florida. We are co-champions!!Heres some clips. @LLGCOACH pic.twitter.com/MBjyEIy33Q

— Taniyah Thomas (@Taniyah9914) June 17, 2024

And Wisconsin is getting a dynamic hitter in Lewis who was hot at the dish all week, hitting .654 with 17 hits and 15 RBIS.

The pitching was equally impressive, as the team hurlers compiled a 1.20 ERA for the week.

Coach Corn adds that he was very happy with how his team came together in KC.

“Going 7-0-2 against this competition is a testament to the connection between our players and their collective desire to succeed and be considered as one of the top teams in the country this year,” he concluded.

“Everything they are doing is in preparation for PGF Nationals. I’m super excited about the depth and unselfish play of all the LLGDPS players.”

Next stop for the standout Lady Lightning 18U team: the Alex Wilcox tourney in Orlando next weekend but first, since the Corns are going to be in Orlando, they’re taking their family to Disneyworld.

*****

Love This Indy Magic Team Highlight Package!

Kudos to Andrew Moore’s Indiana Magic Gold 15U Moore-Carmichael team… and whoever ever put together this well-produced highlights package that was published on YouTube.com Sunday evening.

Check this out…

*****

16U Maverick Champs

The Top Gun Invitational 16U Maverick title was won 7-2 by the Hotshots 16U – Villegas team out of Texas over Nebraska Gold.

Keegan Mayhue hit a home run for the first score of the game and pitcher Arianna Capek, a 2025 commit to New Mexico, took it from there.

The standout right-hander ,who also plays the infield. had a strong weekend overall including pitching a no-hitter and hitting a two-run homer on Saturday.

Capek was named two weeks ago as a Texas All-State selection.

*****

Line of the Day

The Rock Gold – Manetta team got beatup in the semis, but there was a funny call from third base coach Scott Perantoni who shouted out: “Just take a freakin’ hack!”

Two assumptions we’re making here:

1) it was good-natured because he looked to have a smile on his face,

2) it was towards his daughter, Brianna Perantoni, who is a talented outfielder who will play this fall at Rollins College, a private liberal arts college in Winter Park, Fla. Even if it wasn’t, it made the majority of the folks in attendance laugh.

*****

Impressive Performers

I spent most of today at the 18U Maverick games at Mid-America Sports Complex and did get to see some 16U action at the West Complex but not as intensively as I’d have liked (one reason is the six age divisions all played at their original parks… meaning the championships games today weren’t all held at one venue).

Still, the level of teams and talent was outstanding and here’s a pair that looked very strong:

*** One player that’s uncommitted who should be getting a ton of attention after this week in Kansas City is Virginia Unity 18U – Betsa/Hebert centerfielder Kayla Fletcher.

The 2026 standout from Harrisburg, Pa. has a 4.0 GPA and has a Power 5 physique and tools already… and there were some Power 5’s watching her and timing her home to first.

*** One that’s committed who looks great is pitcher Erin Nuwer of the Impact – Caymol 18U team. She throws very hard despite not having a big frame but is efficient in her movements and really puts some heat on her throws.

With Nuwer, LSU-bound Jayden Heavener and Virginia Tech-bound pitcher Ava Hodges, the Impact team led by Coach Mitch Rood should be a tough draw for anyone facing them this summer.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball

*****

Saturday, June 16, 2024, Top Gun Invitational Championship Sunday

(Final Bracket Scores)

18U Maverick

*****

18U Viper

*****

16U Maverick

*****

16U Viper

*****

14U

*****

12U