ZT National Prospects 14U continued to show why they’re among the nation's elite, powering their way to back-to-back victories — a 10-2 win over Team Elite 14U followed by an 8-0 shutout of PRD 2029s — in a dominant all-around performance that highlighted the program’s depth, poise, and pedigree.
Against Team Elite, ZT jumped on the board early with an RBI single from Brody Taylor in the first. The second inning saw the Prospects capitalize on two wild pitches and a scorching RBI double from Blake Barberena to open a 4-0 lead.
In the third, Carter Nash added to the fireworks with a two-run homer to left, and Brandon Manivong followed with an RBI single to make it 7-2. From there, ZT never let up. Nateo Victorio and Noah Jarolimek added RBI singles in the fifth and seventh innings to put the game out of reach and cap a relentless offensive showing.
The momentum carried seamlessly into their next matchup against PRD, where ZT National Prospects 14U wasted no time taking control.
Taylor got things started again in the third with a run-scoring single, followed by a hit-by-pitch and an RBI single from Tre’ Lawrence to make it 3-0. Lawrence stayed hot in the fifth, ripping a two-run single to left. Jordan Leon followed with a bases-loaded walk, pushing the lead to six.
In the sixth, PRD’s defense unraveled. An error allowed another run to cross, and Nash’s sacrifice fly to center sealed the deal at 8-0.
ZT’s pitching and defense backed up the bats with clean execution and mound efficiency, holding PRD scoreless and keeping Team Elite limited to just two runs the game prior.
Lawrence led the offense across both games with four RBIs, while Taylor, Victorio, and Nash each played key roles as catalysts for an aggressive, high-IQ lineup that kept pressure on from the first pitch to the final out.
But these wins weren’t just about two strong games — they’re the latest in a streak of excellence. The ZT National Prospects program has now secured National Team Championships North Carolina titles at the 13U, 14U, and 15U levels, further cementing its place as one of the top developmental pipelines in the country. The consistency across age groups speaks to the strength of ZT’s culture, coaching, and commitment to player development.
Head coach Eric Ortiz emphasized the challenge this tournament presented—and how it helped his squad truly understand what it takes to win.
“This is one of the toughest tournaments out there. It’s a grind just to get here, and to come out and play two games in one day—it takes a full team effort,” Ortiz said. “Our pitching was solid from top to bottom, and the lineup really stepped up. What worked for us this week was pitching and timely hitting—that’s what kept us in it. (Daaniyal) Badar came through today with four huge hits. All year long, this team has just found ways to win games they probably shouldn’t have. They’ve got a fight and competitiveness in them that’s just different—and that’s what made the difference.”
ZT National Prospects 14U didn’t just win — they controlled every inning. With a stacked lineup, sharp pitching, and a proven system behind them, they continue to set the standard on the national stage.
While the ZT program claimed its third gold medal as a program at the 2025 National Team Championships North Carolina, it was Elite RBI National that walked away with bronze behind a dominant 12-3 victory over Team Elite.
