16u/18u Top Gun KC Spring Invite Post-Event Write Up
April 29-30, 2023
Mid America West Sports Complex, Shawnee, KS
The 16u/18u Top Gun KC Spring Invite attracts the top teams from the top clubs year after year, and could be deemed one of our most competitive events on our schedule.
The region’s top clubs: Top Gun Academy, Nebraska Gold, Select Fastpitch and Aces Fastpitch flexed their muscles and showed why they are considered the top clubs in the Midwest Region.
16u Division
Top Gun National – JS went undefeated on the weekend (7-0-1) to finish as the champions of the 16u division. En route to the championship, Top Gun defeated Nebraska Echoes, Marek Fastpitch Academy, Nebraska Gold 15u National and Select Fastpitch – Woelbel.
Select Fastpitch – Woelbel had a dominant run on Sunday, before eventually falling to Top Gun National – JS. Woelbel’s squad scored 23 runs to reach the championship, while allowing only five, including a dominant win in the semi-finals over a solid Louisville Lady Sluggers ’07 VanBoxmeer team.
However, one of the most competitive games of the day came in top half of the bracket during semi-finals where Top Gun National – JS squeaked out a 1-0 victory over Nebraska Gold 15u National. This Nebraska Gold s quad is a force to be reckoned with and are certainly a team to watch. Their only loss on the weekend was their semi-final loss, coming by a one-run margin, and coming away with an overall weekend record of (4-1-1) after receiving the first round bye in bracket play after going (3-0-1) in a very competitive pool.
18u
Select Fastpitch 18u Chester played a series of close games on Sunday to make it to the championship, and to come out as the champions of the 18u Top Gun KC Spring Invite. On the way to the championship, Select played Athletics Russell, Primetime Regional – Watts, Aces Fastpitch Spring and played Nebraska Gold 18u National in the championship, where they came away with a 1-0 victory in a very competitive game.
Nebraska Gold 18u National outscored opponents by a margin of 22-3 en route to the championship game, while also garnering a +10 run differential in pool play in a very tough pool consisting of Top Gun 18 National, Select Fastpitch, Aces Fastpitch and Originals ’23 Austin.
Top Gun 18 National went 3-1 in pool play to receive the first round bye and then beat Nebraska Quakes National 6-1 in quarter finals before eventually falling to Nebraska Gold 18 National in the semi-finals.
Thank you to all teams that participated in the 16u/18u Top Gun KC Spring Invite! We look forward to hosting your team again!