The Super 14 and 18 came back for another year in Kansas City, bringing with it some phenomenal action on Fourth of July weekend. A select number of talented squads from across the central region came down to Creekside and Homefield to duke it out for a shot at one of the two titles up for grabs. Down below we'll break down each division winner who withstood the test of a seven game slate to bring home the trophy and their championship counterpart, as well as my picks for the top players of the weekend and breakdowns from some of the top performers from the action.

2030 CIF Rawley Mihfeld (Staley HS, MO): Mihlfeld is a name that is already garnering some attention in the 14u ranks for his impressive 6'1, 190 pound frame and ability to leave the yard with some relative consistency. The hulking left handed hitter showed off a different skill set this weekend delivering a hit per game on average while drawing almost double digit walks in the 7 game set out of the leadoff spot. Mihlfeld showed up biggest when it mattered most for the Ducks with a 3/4 2XBH, 1BB performance in the title game to help claim the trophy. the corner infielder/outfielder will be a name to continue to keep eyes on as he continues to add polish to the developing PWR tool in the box. 

2030 RHP/3B Max Roenfanz (Dallas Center-Grimes, IA): Roenfanz impressed again in his second trip to the KC ciruit on both sides of the ball for the Sticks. The 6'2, 195 pound two-way delivered some video game numbers in the 7 game set finishing 11/15 1HR, 7XBH, 15RBIs, 2BB/0Ks. The RHH shows off a simple trigger with a short path and some obvious strength in the bat. When combined with the feel for the barrel the KC staff and I saw on this particular weekend it makes for one of the more dangerous 14u hitters in the region. On the mound Roenfanz is just as intriguing, The right handed arm ran it up to 86 with the fastball in both apperances while featuring a pair of impressive breaking balls with the slider spinning as high as 2400 RPM with some late downward bite. Flashes a changeup with consistent fade to LHH with feel to attack the outer 1/3rd to swing and miss. Roenfanz will be making his debut on the national stage at the Junior Future Games down at lakepoint and I believe this will not be the last time we see him competing in an event of this caliber. 

2026 OF/RHP Weston Wilcox (Van Buren HS, AR): The Johnson County CC commit delivered for the Spects in every way, shape, and form on the way to a title in the Super 18. The RHH finished the weekend 10/19 1HR, 4XBH, 11RBI, 3BB/0K at the plate before getting the nod to toe the rubber in the championship game and delivering a 5 inning CG allowing 3 hits while punching out 5 without allowing a BB. The two-way prowess will make for an interesting follow into his next couple of years at the next level, displaying premium upside with a full set of tools on display. 

2030 RHP/3B Bijan Kamerzell (Rockhurst HS, MO): MOKANs worst kept secret continues to take strides on the mound and this weekend was no different. The young flamethrower ran the fastball up to 90 on multiple occasions pairing with an upper 7's slider that he continues to find more feel for by the start en route to a 5 inning CGSHO, striking out 6 while allowing just two baserunners on the game. Kamerzell has shown consistent strides throughout the year with his command while continuing to develop feel for his off speed options making an already impressive arm talent all that more intriguing at such a young age. Kamerzell will find himself competing with Team Missouri in the Junior Future Games here shortly, continuing to garner attention on a national level. 

Tournament Champions 

Super 14

Champion

Old School Ducks - Williams continued their absurd Summer bringing their record in the PBKC circuit to 35-10 en route to claiming another title in the Super 14. The Ducks brought a +32 run differential into the bracket, good for the #6 seed before running the gauntlet and beating the #1 and #3 overall seeds to claim their trophy. Key contributors for the Ducks were found mostly on the offensive end with big contributions from names like Titus Fisher, Ben Savaiiaena, and Grady Pederson while taking solid innings on the mound from all over the roster. 

Finalist

Iowa Sticks - McCool delivered an excellent showing in the Super 14 behind stellar performances on both sides of the ball to claim the #1 overall seed before falling just short in the title bout. The Sticks started off hot with a 4-0 record in pool play compiling an impressive +42 run differential, allowing just a run per game on average prior to the bracket. Big performances from a pair of bats in the order in Brayden Beinke and Braylan Brown combined with a consistent effort on the mound and mistake free defense in the field allowed for the Sticks showing in this one.

Super 18 

Champion

Spects Midwest went on a dominant 7-0 run en route to the title in the Super 18. The talented squad displayed their prowess on both sides of the diamond, claiming a +25 run differential coming into the bracket before outscoring opponents 31-8 in the bracket rounds to secure the title. Key contributors for this squad could be found all over the roster, namely Kai Vanis (Omaha) and Cooper Smith (Iowa Western CC) found consistent production on the offensive end while Nick Wendt and Grant Pollard delivered some shut down innings on the hill. 

Finalist

Impact Athletes KC's 18u squad flat out hit all weekend long on their way to a championship apperance in the Super 18. Impact's offense averaged 11 runs per game in the pool play round before a pair of crooked numbers in the quarter and semi final rounds to bash their way into the title game. Impact found production in the lineup from top to bottom, notably supplemented by a pair of strong hitting catchers in Miles Burhle (Pitt State) and Danny Napier III (Seminole State JC).