TVGSA 14U All-Stars prepare for Nationals

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

TEMECULA – With a load of talent, a great fan base, and some outstanding coaching, the 14U TVGSA All-Star Gold team has been grinding their way through the summer tournaments, in hopes of playing on a national stage. Those hopes recently turned into reality when they placed fourth, out of 22 teams, at the USA Softball State tournament last weekend. Not only did they compete well there, but the hardware has also been rolling in as they were 2023 Corona Diamond 14u Gold Champions, the 2023 USA Softball 14u Gold Districts Finalists, and as the 2023 Escondido Freedom 14u Gold Champions.

Adding to all their success, the team has qualified to represent the area in the USA Softball Western National Championships in Roseville, CA, starting next week from Monday, July 24, through Saturday, July 30. USA Softball of Sacramento will host this prestigious tournament.

Program Director Karla Burket says she takes deep pride in hosting a National Championship of this caliber and anticipates an incredible week for all to enjoy some of the best fastpitch softball in the country. “We hope your team takes home memories that you can treasure for many years to come.”

The TVGSA 14U Gold team will be in Northern California for a full week, which is the longest they have had to be on the road for a tournament this summer according to coach Fernando Cortez. “Our tournaments have only taken place over the course of a weekend up until this point, so they are pretty excited for this opportunity to

USA from page C-1

Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier with Jacob Miller earning the tournament’s Best Pitcher award, recording the most wins (3) and lowest ERA (0.50). With the top-four finish at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier, Team USA will head to the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan, later this summer. The U.S. is the defending champion after defeating Venezuela in the 2022 edition. This will be the sixth World Cup appearance for the 12U National Team after winning four of the five that it has previously participated in.

“The most exciting part was just getting to represent our Country and wear the USA uniform,” added Miller. “Playing for Team compete to take home another Softball title.”

Cortez is no stranger to teaching what it takes to compete at a high level, in fact, if the name sounds familiar, it is because Fernando is a former Major League Baseball player that spent his career with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Kansas City Royals organizations. Cortez was drafted to the Rays in 2001 with the 259th pick overall, out of Grossmont College.

While he last played for the Royals in 2007, Cortez and his family relocated to the area a few years back where he opened his own facility to help train players and also found himself getting into real estate. His daughter, Madison, took to the game and has excelled on the softball field, making this her third

USA has been a dream and goal of mine. I was nervous at first but once the games started, our team came together and we won the gold medal, going 9-0. We helped the USA qualify for the upcoming 12u World Championship in Taiwan.”

After returning home to Temecula, Miller, who started his playing days as a T-Baller with French Valley Pony, was invited back out to train in Cary, North Carolina in hopes of making the final 18-man roster for the next leg of the 12U National team’s journey in Taiwan from July 28-August 6.

Fourteen players on that Training Camp roster, with Miller in tow, were reunited after just helping Team USA win gold.

The roster was selected after an extremely competitive week of training and when USA Baseball named the final 18-man roster time being an all-star. Fernando stepped up to the plate to help coach when she was in 12U and while he focused more on older teams this past year, he decided to help out with this year’s 14U Gold team.

“I didn’t want to let this opportunity get past me,” said Cortez. “She will be headed off to Temecula Valley High School this year, and who knows how busy she will be as a student athlete.”

The TVGSA All-Star team is currently looking for any help from the community that will help the families with costs to help cover expenses for traveling, eating and hotel accommodations while they take care of business on the field.

“Please know that no amount is too small,” added Cortez. “Your ongoing backing and support of our for the 2023 12U National Team, Miller’s name was called yet again. Jacob says prior to being with Team USA, his competitive drive grew while playing with ZT National Prospects from Anaheim. “The major tournaments we go to helped me to compete against the best players at my age group in the Country.”

As for the team trials, Miller says they were incredibly challenging as it had 36 of the best players from around the US competing for only 18 spots. “I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to make the USA Team twice in 2023. I have a lot of people to thank, including my parents, coaches, my ZT organization, and USA baseball for the opportunity.”

The U.S. has a world-best four world titles at the U-12 level, having won three-consecutive gold players is truly appreciated.”

The complete roster for the Sacramento bound all-stars from Temecula includes: Madison Clark, Julia Handschumacher, Imani Jaylynn Hill, Chloe Kosch, Charlotte Lampkin, Linda Leon, Paige Linehan, Carmella Mahoney, Samantha Myers, Brooklyn Najar, Blue Putman, and Kailah Smith.

For more information on helping the TVGSA All-Stars, visit www.app.99pledges.com/fund/ tvgsa14uallstarsnationals. To find out more information about the USA Softball National Championships, visit www.usasoftballsacramento. org JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com medals in 2013, 2015, and 2017. It will look to defend its title this summer after taking home the title of World Champion in 2022.

This year’s roster features 11 players who were a part of the 12U National Team that won gold at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in May and will open up World Cup play against the Czech Republic on July 28 at 2:30 a.m. ET. The full 2023 12U National Team schedule can be found online, but as for California kids the roster also includes Micah Delosreyes (Moreno Valley), Ty Glaus (Son of former MLB slugger Troy Glaus; Del Mar), Gavin Gomez (Long Beach), Bryant Ju (Cerritos), Julian Knudsen (Los Angeles), and Michael Ohman (San Francisco). Jacob also said it was important to him to share this once-in a lifetime experience with his parents, who have supported him in his baseball journey every step of the way since he was 4 years old. While Team USA pays for his travel, he wanted to start a GoFundMe page to help his parents, which can be found at www.gofund.me/c60a81ad.

“The funds I raise will be used to help with my family’s travel expenses to Taiwan and the hotel and expenses associated with our trip,” says Miller. “I really appreciate any help for an experience I will never forget.”

To follow Jacob and Team USA, visit www.USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date information or follow @USABaseball and @ USABaseball12U on Twitter. JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com