In the dead heat of summer, with thermometers threatening to melt into the infield and parents fanning themselves with rosters, the 2025 PGF “Show Me the Money” Tournament inched into the books with a fiery finish. And much like the name implies, the competition showed up ready to collect.

From thrilling extra innings in 14U, to precision pitching and power-hitting in the older divisions, the event was stacked with talent and managed with care. No rain delays, no chaos, just three days of high-stakes, high-octane softball under a sun that refused to quit.

Let’s dive into the highlights, starting with a championship game that turned into an offensive avalanche.

Listen here: https://youtu.be/GY4X7kZqr_k

14U: Fury Platinum X Higdon/Huckabay Drops the Hammer in Extras

Championship: Fury Platinum X 10, Unity Schultheis/Johnson 2 (8 innings)

The final score says 10-2, but don’t be fooled. This one was tied 2-2 through seven, a gritty back-and-forth that had all the makings of a photo finish. Then Fury Platinum X walked into the eighth inning like they had a dinner reservation and unloaded an eight-run bomb on the scoreboard. Game over, trophy secured.

You could call it a statement inning. You could also call it the longest inning of Unity’s tournament, because Fury was hitting like they were on a mission—and frankly, they were.

Before the fireworks finale, Fury got the best of the Atlanta Vipers Murphy 2011 in the semifinal by an 11-2 margin, flexing every part of their roster. Offense? Check. Pitching? Air-tight. Swag? Plenty.

Top Performers for Fury:

  • Addi Smith had herself a day, going 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs. She swung like the barrel had magnets.

  • Jaeda Tucker pulled double duty, throwing and hitting. At the plate she was 2-for-4 with a double and 2 RBIs. On the rubber, she teamed up with Avery Grace Gran and Adrianna Reyes to allow exactly zero earned runs across both games.

  • And don’t forget Xahara Willis, who left the yard in classic “get us started” fashion.

Unity Schultheis/Johnson certainly didn’t back into the title game. They crushed the Atlanta Vipers Gold 2010 Lynch in the semifinal 12-0, a game that felt over before the third inning thanks to consistent pressure and timely hitting.

Unity Standouts:

  • Ella Gill knocked in both of Unity’s runs and continued to be one of the team’s most reliable bats.

  • Hits also came courtesy of Adrianna Thorne, Kabella Corning, Cassidy Allen, and Maddalyne Jones, all of whom did their part to build and maintain momentum.

Unity’s defense and hustle carried them deep, and while the eighth inning got away from them in the final, there’s no doubt this team will be back in the conversation at their next major event. Their run was no accident—it was earned.

16U: D1VISION Puts on a Clinic

Championship: D1VISION National 3, So Cal Athletics Marinakis/Kennedy 1

There are wins, and then there are well-managed, perfectly executed, pressure-tested victories. D1VISION’s 3-1 championship effort fits squarely into the latter.

Behind the calm, composed arm of Zamari Ball, who threw a complete game while allowing just one earned run and fanning six, D1VISION controlled the pace from pitch one. Ball had the Athletics guessing all game long, and with a little run support, that was all she needed.

Aniya Arnold brought the thunder with a 3-for-4 performance that included a triple, a double, and 2 RBIs. She was the spark plug that lit the offense, and the rest of the lineup followed suit.

Supporting Cast:

  • Mariah Walker, Jaliya Sullivan, Jayda Young, and Cayley Windham each collected key hits, proving that this offense doesn’t rely on one big bat—it moves like a machine.

D1VISION’s semifinal was a 6-0 shutout of Unity TJ 2027/2028. No drama, no detours, just a statement win to set the tone for the title game.

On the other side, So Cal Athletics punched their ticket with a strong 7-3 win over Atlanta Vipers 09 Gonce in the semifinal. Balanced offense and confident base running got the job done.

So Cal Final Game Standouts:

  • Emily Maddox laced a double and added another quality AB to her weekend tally.

  • Ella Robertson, Hope Kennedy, and Sadie Foote also tallied hits in the final, showing the kind of depth that had carried them through a challenging bracket.

While the bats were slightly muted in the championship, So Cal played clean, hard softball all weekend and deserve serious credit for a deep and impressive run. They were tough, well-coached, and consistent from the first pitch.

18U: GA Impact Taylor Powers Their Way to the Title

Championship: GA Impact Taylor 18U def. Sparks Elite – Stewart

It turns out the real fireworks didn’t wait for July. GA Impact Taylor launched three home runs in their championship win, turning the 18U final into a home run derby with stakes.

Kendall Wells was a one-woman wrecking crew, going 2-for-2 with two bombs, two RBIs, and a walk. When she stepped to the plate, fans didn’t ask if she’d go yard—they just checked the wind direction.

Cece Springfield added a grand slam to the mix, going 1-for-4 but making her lone hit count in the most dramatic way possible. Her four RBIs were the nail in the coffin.

Shayla Bahr added another solo shot for good measure, and Riz White kept the rally going with a 2-for-3 performance that included some clutch contact.

The Impact pitching staff was just as locked in. Braylee Spence, Hannah DeMarcus, and Leah Stevens combined for a 1-0 semifinal shutout over the always-dangerous Birmingham Thunderbolts. It was a game defined by grit, control, and timely defense.

Sparks Elite made their own noise along the way, shutting out Unity Johnson 6-0 in the semifinal and looking sharp at the plate and in the field.

Sparks Top Performers:

  • Brinli Bain doubled and drove in a run, continuing her strong tournament.

  • MJ Woodfin, Lily Lowery, A. Williams, Morgan Talley, and Emma Coan all added hits in a well-rounded team effort.

This Sparks team was steady, aggressive, and dangerous at the dish. They ran into a buzzsaw in the final, but their performance all weekend was a clear indicator they’re a team to watch all summer long.

Tournament Takeaways: Heat, Hustle, and Heart

The PGF “Show Me the Money” Tournament gave us everything we love about travel ball—big moments, breakout players, and teams showing exactly who they are under pressure. And yes, it also gave us heat, the kind that melts seed beads off visors and forces everyone to get a little creative with shade.

But thanks to smooth scheduling and sharp field crews, the games ran on time and the level of play never wavered. From first pitch to final dogpile, the tournament was a showcase of everything right about youth fastpitch.

14U brought the drama. Fury Platinum X’s extra-inning explosion was one for the books, and Unity’s path to the final proved they can hang with anyone.

16U gave us tactical battles. D1VISION’s blend of clutch pitching and timely hitting was textbook softball, and So Cal Athletics proved they’re every bit the contender they appeared to be.

18U put on a power show. GA Impact Taylor looked like a college lineup in cleats, but Sparks Elite showed they’re knocking on that door.

Three divisions, three deserving champions, and countless moments that reminded everyone why we keep coming back—even when it’s 102 degrees in the shade.

See you at the next stop. Bring sunscreen.