Teams to Watch for PGF 18U, 16U Premier National Championship

The 2025 PGF National Championships kick off in California with 18U and 16U Premier Pool Play starting on Saturday. Bracket play will begin on Monday, July 21, rounding into the Championship Games the following Saturday, July 26, with both games airing on ESPN Networks 16u at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN+ and 18u at 3 p.m. on ESPNU, followed by the All-American games.

Here are a handful of teams to watch from each age division who could hoist the trophy in the end:

PGF 18U Premier Teams to Watch

Athletics Mercado Smith

Last year’s runner-ups are loaded with Power Four talent. There are plenty of 2026 Top 100 talents with both Ki’ele Ho-Ching (Oklahoma commit) and Aubrey McLaughin (UCLA commit) coming from the Top 10. Coral Williams is one fo the best arms in the 2027 class and will be very high in the rankings that come out this August.

Select Fastpitch 18’s Jones

Select Fastpitch under Eric Jones will have a pair of the strongest pitchers in the 2025 class leading the way. Tennessee and Missouri signees Peyton Hardenburger and Abby Carr are potential future SEC stars in the circle, but have a chance to make one last impact for their travel team. Middle infielders Meredith Barnhart (Tennessee signee) and Marin Heller (Florida State signee) are bats to know as well.

Arizona Rising Appel

Arizona Storm Appel finished third in the PGF National Championship last season in the 16U division. They are stacked with Class of 2026 talent, including Softball America Top 100 recruits Torynn Slaughter (Alabama commit), Peyton Valentine (Auburn commit), Payton Westra (Oklahoma commit) and Goose Goodwin (Northwestern commit).

Hotshots National – Nelson

This squad has a good mix of youth and veterans. Clemson signee Keira Crosby is a name to know among the 2025s. Texas A&M commit Milan Torres and Texas pledge Stevie South from the Class of 2026 are two strong bats in the lineup. Taegan Lermann is a top prospect in the 2027 group.

GA Impact Taylor 

The GA Impact Taylor squad is loaded with SEC talent. Kendall Wells (Oklahoma signee) and Leah Stevens (Florida signee) will be on your televisions in 2026. Speaking of 26s, this roster has a ton of top-tier talent scattered in our Top 100 list. Addie Rackley (LSU commit), Cece Springfield (Auburn), Kadyn Gabrels (South Carolina), Mia Johnson (Arkansas), Shayla Bahr (Florida), Taylor Surratt (Auburn) and Riz White (Duke) are all a part of this group. Hannah DeMarcus is one of the top arms in the 2027 group, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see her pledge to an SEC school.

PGF 16U Premier Teams to Watch

Mojo-Lewis

The defending champions return with another good group. There are plenty of 2027 standouts, including Ansley Brown, Addison DeRoche, Janie Goldin, and Molly Davi, to name a few. Mojo-Lewis also has a number of 2026 players committed to top programs such as Halle Bailey, Kinely Pittman, Avary Stockwell, Audrey Cathey and Katie Norgard.

Athletics Mercado Hovermale/Tidd

Daniella Boccanfuso and Hayden Jo Stofle make for quite the duo on this squad’s pitching staff, two athletes who should quickly find homes at top-tier college programs this fall. There are plenty of talented 2027 bats, including Leighton Gray, Hayden Huerta and Jenna Caldera to name a few.

Hotshots National- Galloway

The Hotshots team is coming off a strong showing in Colorado. A pair of Wichita State commits, Sara Wiggins and Ariel Arambula are names to know from this roster. Louisiana Tech commit Rhilynn McCoy has been a great leadoff hitter. 2027 shortstop Bayleigh Taylor is a growing star in her class.

Lady Magic Munoz

Lefty pitcher Sloane Merrell earned a spot in our early 2027 player rankings. The top of the order has rising names in the 2027 and 2028 classes, Caelyn Campos, Natalie Brozaitis, Taylor Jennings and Yelli Calvo.

Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 2026 Thompson

Aspen Boulware will be one of the most sought-after recruits come September when the Class of 2027 window opens. Boo Herber (South Carolina commit) and Piper Cavanaugh (Oregon commit) are headed to opposite sides of the country, but have each other’s backs in the circle.

GA Impact O’Neal

The Georgia Impact O’Neal team is led by a great duo of 2027 pitchers in Morgan Maxwell and Brooke Donofrio complement each other very well in the circle. Maxwell, is a top-tier two-way in her class as well. Keep an eye out for catcher Brooklyn Evans and outfielder Peyton Ushery, two of the best bats coming through the 2028 class.

2027 Softball Recruiting Position Rankings
2026 Softball Recruiting Rankings
Softball America Recruiting Spotlight Form