The ELITE Mustangs SE Qualifier with Backwards K Tournament took center stage at the Space Coast Complex in Viera, Florida, over the weekend of September 14-15. This prestigious tournament featured top teams from across Florida battling it out in the 12U, 14U, 16U, and 18U divisions.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the action and who came out on top in each division.
12U Division: Florida Thunderbolts Dominate; Central Florida Suns Shine
In the 12U division, the Florida Thunderbolts – Allen 2031 took home the championship by defeating SFL Intensity KOD/CAZ 7-2 in a highly anticipated final.
The Thunderbolts had a strong weekend, finishing with a 5-1 record. In the championship game, it was Andrea V who led the way, going 2-2 with 2 RBIs, hitting a double and a triple to keep the offense moving. Elissa M also stepped up, going 1-2 with 2 RBIs. Meanwhile, in the circle, Presley B was lights out, throwing 4 innings of work, allowing just 2 unearned runs while striking out 6 batters. The Thunderbolts showed depth in both offense and defense, making them a tough team to beat.
Despite the loss, SFL Intensity KOD/CAZ put together an impressive weekend, finishing 5-2. They battled through the loser’s bracket to secure a spot in the final, showing resilience and determination. Bryanna B was a bright spot for Intensity in the championship game, going 1-1 with a run. Though they came up short, this team’s ability to grind through the bracket shows their promise heading into the fall season.
In the other 12U bracket, the Central Florida Suns claimed the championship, defeating the Tampa Mustangs Clendenin 3-1. The Suns went a perfect 5-0 for the weekend, led by Addison B, who went 1-2 with 2 RBIs and a double in the final. In the circle, Luxs B was steady, throwing 4 innings and allowing just one earned run while striking out four and walking none.
The Tampa Mustangs Clendenin fought hard but couldn’t break through the Suns’ defense. Lilly C contributed with a 1-2 performance and an RBI, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the solid pitching and timely hitting of the Suns.
14U Division: Ohana Takes the Crown in a Nail-Biter
The 14U division saw some of the tightest competition of the weekend, with Ohana emerging as champions after a dramatic 2-1 victory over EC Bullets Jackson/Travis 14U in the championship game.
Ohana’s weekend was defined by clutch performances, none more so than in the final game, where they had just one hit—a triple by Dallas Esperas that brought in a run. Dallas not only did it with the bat but also got the win in the circle, pitching 4 strong innings, allowing just one run, and striking out two.
The EC Bullets Jackson/Travis had a strong weekend as well, finishing 4-1 overall. In the final, Addison Held, Luca Honsberger, and Kirra Sherman each had a hit, but they couldn’t string enough offense together to get past Ohana’s pitching. The Bullets showed their depth throughout the tournament, but they’ll be looking for a little more firepower next time around.
16U Division: Tampa Mustangs Rene-Pynes Cruise to Victory
In the 16U division, the Tampa Mustangs Rene-Pynes 16U team claimed the championship in convincing fashion, defeating EC Bullets Jackson/Randy 16U National 4-0 in the title game.
The Mustangs were dominant all weekend, finishing 6-0 without a blemish on their record. In the championship game, Emma Pynes went 2-2 with a run, and Emma Bell added to the offensive attack, going 1-1 with 2 RBIs and a double. Gracyn Needle also came through with a double and an RBI to seal the game. In the circle, Ding Balavender was nearly unhittable, allowing just one hit over 4 innings while striking out five batters.
The EC Bullets Jackson/Randy squad had a solid tournament, finishing with a 3-1-2 record. Shea Towns and Maddie Horner each went 1-2 in the final, but the team struggled to break through against Balavender’s dominant pitching. The Bullets showed flashes of excellence throughout the weekend, and while they didn’t come out on top, they’ll be a team to watch moving forward.
18U Division: Tampa Mustangs Bell Edge Out Miami Stingrays
The 18U championship featured another strong performance by the Tampa Mustangs Bell team, as they held off the Miami Stingrays 16U Gators for a 3-2 win in the final.
The Mustangs’ offense was led by A Williams, who went 1-1 with a run, and H Poe, who had a perfect 2-2 day with an RBI and a triple. D Scanlon also contributed with a 1-1 performance. Lil D’Introno secured the win for the Mustangs in relief, allowing zero runs and holding down the Stingrays’ offense.
The Miami Stingrays put up a fight, finishing the weekend with a 6-0 record before the loss in the final. Maddy Llerandi had a strong game at the plate, going 2-2, while Leilani Gonzalez added an RBI with a 1-2 performance. Despite the loss, the Stingrays showed grit and determination all weekend and will be a tough opponent for anyone they face this season.
The ELITE Mustangs SE Qualifier with Backwards K Tournament in Viera, FL, provided an exciting weekend of softball with standout performances across all age divisions. From dominant pitching performances to clutch hitting, every team brought their best to the Space Coast Complex.
