The once field of 64 has shriveled down to two teams competing for gold. Catch up on all the quarterfinal and semifinal action below.
Quarterfinals
GBG National 2027 5, Jason Kidd Select 0
No. 1 overall seed GBG National 2027 remained perfect through its first six games in a shutout effort over the high-octane Jason Kidd Select offense. GBG National rode the left arm of pitcher Merrick Phelps to a semifinal berth after the southpaw went the distance in a complete game shutout that featured eight strikeouts to just one walk. The heart of GBG’s order provided all the insurance Phelps needed, as the three-through-six hitters in the order combined for four hits and four RBIs of the team's five en route to the semis.
GBG Vegas 2027 7, CBA Marucci 6
An extra inning thriller went down on Rangers 4 in Surprise, as GBG Vegas was able to edge out CBA Marucci in an eight inning classic. Third baseman Alex Scaggs played hero for Vegas, as he ripped a two-run triple in the top of the eighth to give his team a lead it wouldn’t look back on. Pitcher Adrian Ramos took the mound for his third inning of work in the bottom of the eighth, where CBA Marucci punched back with a one-out sac fly to make it 7-6 on its last life. With a man on second and two outs, Ramos was able to issue a ground ball to second base where Marco Montesanti fielded it cleanly, tossed it to first base and put the seal on an electric championship berth for GBG Vegas.
Swarm Red Elite 5, AZBC 2
An early 5-0 lead after two innings proved to be all that Swarm Red Elite needed to punch their ticket to the semifinals. Brennan Prendergast brought in the first run of the game on a line drive to the outfield and later came around the diamond to make the lead 3-0 after the first. Momentum rolled into the next inning thanks to a Derek Wilson single to add two runs to the board. Matthew Gaona allowed only four hits in four innings of work on the hill, and Trystan Swayda closed out the game with two strikeouts and no runs to shutout AZBC during his three innings.
CBA Marucci American 5, MBA Navy 2
It took nine innings for CBA Marucci American to get a lead and hold onto it, but an explosive three runs in extra innings and solid defense proved to be enough to get the job done. Marucci took advantage of the international extra-inning rule, where runners start on first and second base after a tie in regulation innings. A sacrifice bunt by Jacob Quintero moved runners into scoring position on second and third, and Marucci took advantage of defensive errors to score all three of its runs in the ninth. Marucci stayed strong on the mound all morning led by Thomas Strickland in a dominant 6.0 innings of work, posting 10 statement strikeouts.
Semifinals
GBG National 2027 3, GBG Vegas 0
In a clash of fellow GBG programs, it was GBG National that continued its dominant tournament run with yet another shutout — its second of the day and fifth of the tournament. The GBG National pitching staff kept things smooth sailing on the defensive side of the ball, while Nate Danzeisen delivered the big blow on offense, swatting a two-run double in the bottom of the third to put his team up for good. Center fielder Taylor Dodd continued to impress, recording his 11th hit of the tournament — the second most among all players tournament wide. The GBG National program will now advance to its second-consecutive 17U championship game, after GBG Arizona fell 1-0 in extra innings to CBA Victus in the 2025 gold medal game.
Swarm Red Elite 8, CBA Marucci American 0
Lockdown defense and strong offensive production was Swarm Red Elite’s ticket to sealing the semifinal victory in only five innings of action. Brennan Prendergast led the team with three hits and two RBI in Swarm Red’s win, while Derek Wilson added an additional two hits and two RBI. A five inning shutout on the mound was split amongst three Swarm Red pitchers. In an efficient two innings, Jaylen Jimenez found his rhythm immediately, striking out three batters in only six outs pitched.
Up Next
The 17U rendition of Champs AZ will come to a close on Monday morning with the bronze and gold medal games. The bronze medal game between GBG Vegas and CBA Marucci American is set for first pitch at 8:00 A.M. MST at Rangers 5.
The gold medal game between GBG National and Swarm Red Elite is slated for 10:00 A.M. MST at Surprise Stadium. Fans can follow the action on GameChanger, with live updates and coverage also provided through @USABaseEvents on X and Instagram.
