Mother’s Day Goliath
Mid-Amwerica West Sports Complex
Shawnee, KS
18U – A
The Missouri Chiefs dominated the field, posting a perfect 7-0 record, in taking the crown at the PG Mother’s Day Goliath tournament this past weekend at the Mid-America West Sports Complex in Shawnee, KS. Playing up in competition, this very talented club, that will unquestionably be a national force at the 16U level, has only one player above the class of 2023.
Comprised mainly of high school freshman and sophomores, the blue and gold clad Chiefs are talented and well-coached. They are fundamentally sound and make few mistakes in the field, the circle, or on offense. They possess a collective poise of the very best elite level clubs. They won their seven games by a collective score of 57-14, imposing their will on every opponent they faced.
Like most successful programs at any level, the Chiefs strength lies in the middle of the diamond. They are paced by three solid pitchers. Their lone junior, LHP, Riley King (2022, Springfield, MO) is a Maryville University of St. Louis commit. She shares pitching duties with southpaw, Natalie Wilks (2023, Sparta, MO) and righthander, Savannah Hughes (2023, Ozark, MO). All this staff did over the weekend was limit opponents to 14 runs in seven games. Considering the 18U competition level, allowing only two runs a game, is impressive. Further, seven of those runs against came in the Chiefs second pool play game on Saturday in a 12-7 win over AFA 18 Thompson-Scruggs. The staff combined to throw a shutout and allow only single markers in four other victories. A very sound Mac N Seitz Storm club, a team that went undefeated against all teams, not named, the Missouri Chiefs, was a solid runner-up team and played the Chiefs the toughest, especially in the 5-3 final contest. King has her commitment in hand, and it won’t be long before college coaches come knocking on the doors of both Wilks and Hughes.
The Chiefs rely heavily on their middle of the field defense. Their number one catcher, Evelyn Comstock (2024, Strafford, MO) is an outstanding prospect. She shows the make-up and ability behind the dish to truly impact the sport for years to come. She displays a competence receiving that many players much her senior don’t. She is a plus, catch-and-throw backstop who has projectable ability that should only get better. And, most importantly, she is only a freshman in high school. In addition, the obviously strong and athletic Comstock can swing the stick, showing plus gap to gap power. Comstock is, without question, a college prospect of the highest order.
Karsyn Phillips (2023, Springfield, MO) is a noticeably gifted shortstop who has plus range, soft hands, an easy fielding action and a quick short arm stroke that allows her advanced arm strength to play well. Her smooth actions and quick feet allows this gifted athlete to easily position and make all the plays at the critical shortstop spot. The unquestioned leader of the Chiefs infield can also swing the stick. Her obvious speed on the bases makes Phillips a complete player. When college scouts come calling they will find a true five tool player manning the middle infield for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs centerfielder and lefthanded swinging lead-off hitter is a great table setter for the Springfield, MO-based club. Taylor Akers (2023, Springfield, MO) has a great understanding of her role at the top of the potent Chiefs line-up. She sees a lot of pitches and works the middle of the diamond and opposite field like a wise veteran. Her elite speed at the top of the order make her a threat every time she is on base. In addition to her obvious talents on offense, Akers is also a ball hawk in centerfield. She is a great communicator and a take charge defender. There are few balls hit between the lines that she can’t get to. Her glove is smooth and her arm plays. A future at the collegiate level is certainly in the cards for the talented outfielder.
This 16U club will be fun to watch over the next few summers. If this past weekend is any indication, the Chiefs will be a dominant force in the Midwest region and should make some noise at the national level. Their enthusiasm and team-first mentality will continue to serve them well.
Congrats to the Missouri Chiefs for capturing the 2021 Mother’s Day Goliath 18U Championship in resounding fashion!
14U-A
Not much separated the top teams of the 14U-A division at the Mother’s Day Goliath Tournament. The Originals-Broughton club outlasted all of their opponents to capture the championship and take home the winner’s banner. After a 2-1-1 pool play Saturday, the Originals, from Bates City, MO, put 31 runs on the board in three Sunday victories and only allowed three in total, to sweep to the championship in this always competitive division.
What probably separated the Originals, by just a bit, was the ability of their pitchers to consistently pound the strike zone. Their defense, for the most part, was steady and reliable and their offense, at times, especially on Sunday when it mattered most, was unrelenting. They just overwhelmed their opponents when they were at the plate and on the bases, giving their pitchers plenty of room to work with.
Kudos also go out to Building Champions-White, Missouri SoCal Athletics 14U, the KC Bombers 07, and especially PSA-Lay, a club that advanced to the finals. All of these clubs played at a very competitive level the entire weekend and were in the hunt for the championship.
Congrats to the 2021 Mother’s Day Goliath 14U-A division champions, the Originals-Broughton!
14U-B
Commotion Softball overwhelmed the field in capturing the 14U-B division at the 2021 Mother’s Day Goliath Tournament at Mid-American West. The Carrolton, MO-based entry was dominant throughout in posting a perfect 7-0 record on the weekend.
Most noticeable about the club is their obvious athleticism. The Commotion is loaded with talent. Their pitchers throw strikes and challenge hitters. Their defense, while not flawless, is solid and makes the routine plays look rather pedestrian. Where the Commotion really stood out over all of their opponents was on offense. Only one team, the 14U Missouri Chiefs-Turner, solved the Commotion riddle, limiting the eventual champs to two runs in the semi-finals. But even that fine effort wasn’t good enough as Commotion bested the Chiefs 2-1 in a tight, well-played contest.
The Commotion scored 63 runs in seven games and only allowed 18. That kind of run differential is seldom seen at this age level which truly tells the story of the Commotion dominance during this event.
Commotion has the look of an “A” division club. Their talent is unquestioned, and they play the game the right way. They do the little things consistently and correctly and the big picture says that many, if not all of their players have bright futures in the game.
Congratulations to The Commotion on their well-deserved championship!