The 16U National Team Championships in North Carolina brought together some of the most talented young athletes from across the region, delivering an opening day full of intense competition and standout performances. From clutch plays to dominant displays on both sides of the plate, the first day showcased rising stars who are quickly making names for themselves on the national stage. Read more to learn about the top performers who not only led their teams with skill and poise but also proved they’re ones to watch in the coming years.

Brayden Krakowski: SBA Bolts Robbins & Tristan Lange: Dirtbags National

In a dominant early morning matchup, the SBA Bolts Robbins 16U shut out Dirtbags National 16U, 6-0, with a stellar outing from Brayen Krakowski and a gritty effort from Tristan Lange on the opposing mound. Krakowski earned the win for the Bolts, tossing six scoreless innings and allowing just three hits while retiring five batters. He kept the Dirtbags in check all game, keeping complete control over their offense and recording strikeouts in four of six innings. On the other side of the mound, Lange racked up nine strikeouts and walked just one batter. In both the second and fourth innings, Lange allowed just one runner to advance as far as second base.

Bryce Farris: Alpha Prime

In a run-rule shortened contest, Bryce Farris was impeccable at the plate for Alpha Prime in its five-inning 9-0 win over Canes National. The slugger went 2-for-2 in the contest to power Prime’s offense. Despite registering two hits, Farris found his way to the base path via a walk in the top of the second inning where he would eventually round the bases and score to give his team a 2-0 lead. After slapping a single in the third frame, Farris carried his momentum into the fourth inning. With a 1-1 count, he smoked a base-clearing triple to push Prime’s lead to nine runs to complete the run-rule win. Farris finished the contest with a game-high three RBIs.

Jack Vasquez: Texas Twelve Red Sox

Texas Twelve Red Sox pitcher Jack Vasquez put on a show from the mound in his side’s 7-0 victory over Spects National in the opening game of pool play at 16U Champs NC. In six innings of action, Vasquez knocked down eight batters and only yielded a pair of walks and two hits. The flamethrower started the contest strong, forcing three-straight outs in four consecutive frames. Vasquez’s dazzling performance propelled his squad to an early victory to set the tone at 16U Champs NC.

Striker Pence, Kaden Nichols, Jesse Covington: SBA Bolts Robbins

Striker Pence and SBA Bolts Robbins raced out to a 12-2 victory over Scorpions Scout Team Purple in a six-inning contest at Coleman Field to open up pool play at 16U Champs NC. After the Bolts ran up a six-run lead, Pence made his way to the mound and did not disappoint. The right-hander flamed multiple 99 mph pitches in his lone inning of action to fend off the Scorpions. In his outing, Pence struck out two batters and did not yield a single hit. Teammates Kaden Nichols and Jesse Covington also notched hitless outings as they combined for three innings on the bump and three strikeouts.

Caleb Renn: South Charlotte Panthers

Caleb Renn was in complete control for the South Charlotte Panthers, tossing a seven-inning complete game in a dominant outing on the mound. Renn allowed just five hits and one run while issuing zero walks and striking out two. Renn worked to keep ZT Alliance off balance and guided the Panthers to a 5-1 statement win.

Bryan Ravelo, PRD 16U

In the bottom of the sixth, PRD 16U broke through with a key two-run single off the bat of Bryan Ravelo. After Rickey Lopez stole second, Ravelo ripped a hard ground ball into right field, bringing home both Lopez and Tytin Clancy to extend the lead to 2-0 over South Charlotte Panthers Marucci 2027. Ravelo finished his day with two RBIs, the only two runs scored within the contest.

Cole Munyon, Stacked Baseball 16U

Cole Munyon came through in the clutch for Stacked Baseball 16U, driving in two key runs to lead his team to a 6-3 extra-inning win over Dirtbags National 16U. Munyon broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning with an RBI single and earlier added a sac fly to give Stacked a brief lead in the sixth frame.