The 14U Junior Future Games started up yesterday for the Pacific Northwest with a high scoring affair against California. 

California capitalized on some freebies and jumped out to an early 7-0 lead. However, PNW came surging back in the middle innings and put up a 7 spot to tie the game as we went into the 5th. 

Eventually California got the offense rolling again and pushed across 4 runs to secure an 11-7 victory. 

Some offensive highlights from the day…

‘27 INF Noah Kwon (Lake Washington, WA) jump started the offense with a 3B in the 4th inning and would eventually come around to score as the relay throw got away from the defense. 

‘27 SS Noah Kwon (Lake Washington, WA) drives an oppo 3B to the RF fence and comes around to score after the relay gets away from the defense

Big time hustle around the bases to get PNW on the board vs California #PBRJFG23 pic.twitter.com/cYWl5oZ5f3

— PBR Washington (@PBR_Washington) July 26, 2023

After back to back walks, ‘27 C Pete Brownand (Peninsula, WA) ripped a line drive single thru the left side to score the 2nd run of the game. 

‘27 SS Cooper McGowan (Battle Ground, WA) then added an RBI groundout to 1B to bring home another runner and cut the lead to 3-7. 

After another BB, ‘27 C Colton Grubb (Montesano, WA) notched his 2nd hit of the game with an oppo line drive single for an RBI. 

With runners on 1st and 2nd, 2 outs, PNW worked yet another BB to load the bases for ‘27 OF Luke Overbay (Tumwater, WA). Overbay got into a 2 strike count but put together a great AB and drove a ball deep to CF, beating the outfielder and scoring all 3 runners. 

PNW trailed 7-4 until ‘27 OF Luke Overbay (Tumwater, WA) beat the centerfielder for a 3 RBI 2B in a 2 strike count

Wiry OF prospect has juice in the hands and produces easy power #PBRJFG23 pic.twitter.com/Jtue67CnN3

— PBR Washington (@PBR_Washington) July 26, 2023

When the bottom of the 4th was done, PNW had tied the game 7-7. 

California had a big top of the 5th inning however and added 4 runs of their own and the game ended with a final score of 11-7. 

PNW had 9 hits to California’s 5 and overall there were encouraging signs from the offense all game. ‘27 Jack Brauckmiller (Canby, OR), ‘27 Jack Schweitzer (La Salle Prep, OR), 

27 INF Diego Lopez (Ridgeview, OR) and ‘27 Titus Vidlak (Fruitland, ID) all added hits offensively throughout the course of the game. 

‘27 Jack Brauckmiller (Canby, OR) goes down and gets one for a deep 2B to the LCF wall

Carries immense power potential with a chance to add significant strength to his frame pic.twitter.com/UGXuafZu6Y

— PBR Oregon (@PBR_Oregon) July 26, 2023

PNW will look to bounce back in G2 on Thursday against Iowa/Nebraska. 

PITCHING RECAP:

‘27 RHP Harrison Buckingham (South Salem, OR) - FB 74-78 sitting 76 with a slurve breaking ball in the 65-69 range. There is some room to dream physically on the low slot right hander as he develops and polishes his pitches.

‘27 RHP/INF Diego Lopez (Ridgeview, OR) - FB 75-76, topping out at 77 and pounded the zone. What really stood out was his ability to throw his 10-5 downward breaking curve in any count. Lopez shows a quick arm and the ability to throw strikes.

‘27 SS/RHP Cooper McGowan (Battle Ground, WA) - Attacked hitters with a three-pitch mix. Fastball sat 74-75, topping out at 76 with some natural cut. His curveball and changeup both flashed life and he was able to keep both within the strike zone.