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Tournaments  | Story | 7/6/2018

Pitching carries Matrix to crown

Photo: ESP Matrix (Perfect Game)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Pitching and defense are what often play out as key factors for any team to win a Perfect Game National Championship. At the lowest age levels, it is even more vital for teams not to make the mistakes that can separate quality teams by the margins that win ballgames.

For ESP Matrix out of North Miami, those two areas of the game were executed with the type of consistency that would be expected out of much older teams. Their march to Friday’s championship game of the 11u BCS National Championship was capped off by a strong effort on the mound from Tyler Smith (2024, Hollywood, Fla.) and the ability to use team speed to generate enough offense as the Matrix defeated Legit Baseball Club 4-0 at CenturyLink Sports Complex.

Entering the championship game with a 5-0-1 record, the Matrix pitching staff had only allowed eight runs in their games. Their opponent in the final was the last team remaining that had not been beaten in the field as Legit Baseball Club ran through their pool and the playoff rounds without much resistance. Each team did have to fight off a tough semifinal combatant as the Matrix needed a walk-off victory against the Ohio Nationals and Legit Baseball Club needed extra innings to defeat the Gulf Coast Monarchs, setting up a title matchup of two evenly matched clubs.

In the first inning, the Matrix picked up a one-out baserunner as Jordan Rich (2025, Pembroke Pines, Fla.) drew a walk and used his speed to steal second and third before Smith played down a perfect bunt to bring Rich in to put the Matrix ahead 1-0.

Smith was stingy on the mound for the Matrix, only allowing three baserunners through four innings, and in the fifth his team gave him more run of support. Cody Boggan (2025, Pembroke Pines, Fla.) lined a leadoff single to right and stole second before Jayce Townsley (2024, Miami, Fla.) laid down a bunt in front of the plate in an attempted sacrifice. As he was thrown out at first, Boggan did not break stride and slide in ahead of the throw to the plate to make it 2-0.

The Matrix kept the pressure on as Alexander Smith (2026, Miami, Fla.) lined a one-out single to center and was able to get in scoring position with a stolen base. Rich dropped another perfectly executed bunt down and with his speed, a hurried throw was off line to first and allowed Smith to race home with another run. After Rich stole second and third, the Matrix’s starting pitcher helped his cause by grounding out to short to bring in Rich and make it a three-run inning heading to the sixth.

Needing three outs, Smith ran into trouble as Legit Baseball Club immediately picked up two baserunners to start the sixth, and forced the Matrix to make a pitching change. Garvey Person (2024, Miami, Fla.) came on and didn’t have any trouble closing out the game as he retired all three batters to wrap up the title for the Matrix.

For Matrix coach Javon Person, he emphasized his team using their athleticism to their advantage throughout the tournament and priding themselves on playing mistake-free baseball against a deep field on teams from around the country.

“We averaged allowing around a run per game which was really impressive and we do pride ourselves on our defense and our speed,” Person said. “We have athletes at every position and you have to have it because it is so important. We used our athleticism on the bases all week, taking advantage of it when we could with taking extra bases. We’re characterized as a small-ball team and sometimes we don’t like to be called by that, but we make it work.”

For many of the Matrix players, it was their first venture into Perfect Game tournaments, and Person is hopeful that it will come a regular occurrence in the summer as the team grows together.

“This tournament brings in teams from all over the country and we really enjoyed coming out to the West Coast of Florida. It was a great atmosphere, the park was nice and the kids had a lot of fun this week.”

During the Matrix’s run to the championship, William Mencho (2024, West Palm Beach, Fla.) delivered the pitching performance of the tournament as he struck out 14 batters while walking just one in a no-hitter in the quarterfinals on Thursday against the MW Select Cardinals. For his efforts, Mencho was the easy selection as the MV-Pitcher for the tournament.

For the runner-ups, Louis D’Alessio (2024, Red Bank, N.J.) led the charge for Legit Baseball Club all week long as he batted .364 (8-for-22) with four extra-base hits, six stolen bases and collected seven RBI to earn MV-Player honors.


2018 11u BCS National Championship runner-up: Legit Baseball Club 11u



2018 11u BCS National Championship MVP: Louis D'Alessio



2018 11u BCS National Championship MV-Pitcher: William Mencho






Tournaments | Story | 9/27/2023

Midwest Invitational Scout Notes

Tyler Kotila
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Creighton Tuzzio (2024, Clarinda, Iowa) took the ball in the semi-final game and was able to get on the bump and carve for his team. Tuzzio is a taller 6-foot-6, 210-pound frame with plenty to like in the operation. The right-handed pitcher has a slower and more controlled operation as he works through the delivery. He lifts the leg up around the belt and then works through a three-quarters release with good whip through it. The fastball worked up to 86 mph on the fastball and held in the low- to mid-80s. He creates some angle on it with the taller & projectable frame. It runs arm-side and can be a problem for right-handed hitters. He also showed a low-70s curveball with a bigger 11/5 tilt to it and good depth to miss some bats. The Iowa Western commit threw 5.0 innings, allowing just 1 run, with 4 walks and 6 strikeouts to his credit.   There’s no surprise here, but...
Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

WWBA World Championship Pool Preview

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Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

Coastal Soph. Fall Invite Scout Notes

Todd Coffey
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Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

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Jason Phillips
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Tournaments | Story | 9/27/2023

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A high speed look at this 2B from Keon Johnson... #WWBAWorlds @PG_Georgia https://t.co/Ejl8GirIgk pic.twitter.com/ate7ro35cp — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) September 24, 2023 Keon Johnson (2026, Macon, Ga.) started off the morning loud, going down to get a pitch down and smoking a double that split the opposite field gap at a 92 mph exit velocity. The shortstop has one of the best hit tools in the class and has tremendous feel for the barrel. The swing is quiet and simple, staying loose through the zone. The ball jumps and the parts really work. At short, Johnson looked silky with good actions, range, and plenty of arm strength across. The game comes easy for the Georgia native, and still just 15, the all-around game is very well-refined for the age.  Jaxson Wood (2026, Hoover, Ala.) finished batting .500 over the tournament, including three extra-base hits. The primary...
Tournaments | Story | 9/25/2023

Deep South Fall Invitational Scout Notes

Alex Dorso
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Patrick Kovacs (2026 Knoxville TN) was dominant in his outing in game two of pool play for Exposure National. The southpaw tossed three scoreless innings allowing two hits while striking out eight. He showed plus command of the fastball dotting it to both sides of the plate while working off the corners at times. Patrick sat 75-78 topping at 79 multiple times throughout. He mixed in a tight breaking ball with two plane movement that he had no problem mixing in any count keeping the opposing hitters off balanced in the box. Coming from a mid 3/4s slot there was some deception within the operation making it tough to pick the fastball up out of the hand. The frame has plenty of athleticism within with plenty of more room for additional strength as he continues to mature. Kovacs should be a fun follow as he continues to progress through high school. Ryan Riojas (‘26 TN) drives this...
Tournaments | Story | 9/24/2023

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Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Extended look at Gunnar Garrison... 7 IP, 1 H, OER, 13 K, 1 BB (70% K) #WWBAWorlds @PG_FourCorners https://t.co/V89oASpD8r pic.twitter.com/tsP1mWCoNz — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) September 21, 2023 Colorado right-hander Gunnar Garrison (2026, Eaton, Colo.) was magnificent in his start for Slammers Anderson 2026’s. The big and physical 6-foot-4, 210-pound arm threw a complete game, seven inning, one-hit shutout, striking out 13 and walking one. The fastball had downhill life to it, sitting in the 85-88 range for the entirety of the game. Garrison held the velocity and reached back for his fastest bullet of the game, at 89, in the seventh inning. Finishing the outing with 70% strikes, he filled up the zone and went right at hitters. He also induced swing-and-miss on a curveball, featuring late...
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Jack Harley (2024, Mendham, NJ) put together a dominant performance at the plate in the WWBA NEQ, leading his team to a coveted Jupiter bid while also earning MVP-honors. The 6-foot-1 left-handed hitter showcased his advanced bat-to-ball skills on several occasions. He batted .643 with two doubles, a home run and six stolen bases. Harley utilizes a repeatable, synced-up stroke with clean separation into launch. He has a great feel for the barrel and creates good strength at impact to all parts of the diamond. The future Hokie recorded a hit in all six of his games and proved to be a reliable bat at the top-of-the-order for Clubhouse 2024 EvoShield. Harley’s build offers a good balance of strength and athleticism, making him a well-rounded prospect with intriguing upside moving forward.  .#VandyBoys commit Aiden O’Connell (‘24, NH) is back on the bump in the #NEQ...
Tournaments | Story | 9/23/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Vincent Cervino
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Nathan Caldwell (2026, Columbia, S.C.) looked the part in the batter’s box as the Team Elite three-hole hitter had one of the hardest hit balls of the day. There’s really impressive bat speed and the ability to create violence and rotational acceleration through contact. He missiled a single during the game and there looks like there’s going to be pretty significant impact potential long term. He’s a strong kid with good indicators and offensive tools to like. Drew Borkowski (2026, Huntley, Ill.) showed plenty to like in the arm as he got the start in game one on the day for GRB. At 6-foot-1, 170-pounds he’s got a lanky frame with long limbs and plenty of room for physical projection. It’s a quick arm with solid arm speed throughout and he opened up sitting 85-87 mph with the fastball. The fastball showed good sinking life and he used it to get a lot...
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Cape Cod Top 2025 Prospect List

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