July 7, 2025
By Michah Richert
Saturday, July 5th, the BCS Bengals faced off against the Impact Gold National in an offensive thriller for the 12U championship. Impact Gold pulled out the win in back-and-forth final three innings to win the championship, 12-11.
Impact took the early lead, scoring a run in both the first and second inning. The quick 0-2 deficit didn’t diminish the Bengals' hopes for a title. BCS came back hot, scoring four runs in the third and three in the fifth. Number eight, Peyton, for the Bengals knocked in two of her four RBI’s with a double down the first base line. A fielder's choice to second pushed another run across by Reighan giving BCS the lead 4-2.
Peyton for the Bengals had a great performance on the mound, as well as at the plate. In the bottom of the third, Peyton made quick work of the Gold going three up-three down with three K’s.
The runs kept on flowing for the Bengals in the fourth. A RBI double by Willie put Impact Gold another run further behind. Impact decided to switch it up and bring in a new pitcher, Sheth, to not let the game get out of hand. She got the first out quickly with a pop-out, but couldn’t contain Peyton who racked up two more RBI’s to make it 7-2 Bengals.
Peyton once again put the Impact hitters down quickly with her second three up-three down inning. Jones, for the Gold, matched Peyton’s pitching showcase with a three up-three down inning of her own.
In the fifth inning Impact Gold put on an offensive clinic, scoring seven runs and taking back the lead for the first time since the second inning. Demmeck started off the run with a single past the second baseman. Allen came up to the plate next for a single of her own. The Gold loaded the bases on a ten pitch battle by Mark, finally getting a single.
Impact cut the lead to three on a two RBI single by Kirk, making the score 7-4 in the bottom of the fifth. The Gold weren’t done on offense yet though. A walk by Kirk once again loaded the bases for Valenzuela who drove in two more runs for Impact. Sheth then smoked a triple to put two more runs on the board for the Gold. Hall took advantage of the runner in scoring position with a sacrifice fly ball to right field and giving the Impact their seventh and final run of the fifth inning.
BCS fought back after losing the lead on a RBI single by Willie for one of her three RBI’s in the game. It didn’t take long until the Bengals took back the lead after Taylor drilled a ball to right field, scoring two runs and putting BCS back on top, 10-9. Reighan took Taylor’s lead and gave the team more cushion hitting in one more run. At the end of six, the Bengals held the lead 11-9.
No lead was ever safe in this game. Impact never lost confidence in what their offense could produce. Smart base running gave Impact Gold their final push over BCS. Allen triggered the offense on a single past the third baseman. She then stole second to be in great position to give Impact Goldanother run. A keen eye by Allen got her to third on a wild pitch by the Bengals.
A ground ball to third put Allen in motion to run home. The third baseman attempted to stop the run but the throw was too late as Allen slid in safely at home, making it a 11-10 ballgame. Kirk again had a clutch hit with her RBI single and tied the game up. Pevehouse did exactly what she needed to do with a groundout to first but got the run home to take the lead, 12-11.
Impact Gold didn’t take any time in shutting the Bengals down in the top of the seventh. A strikeout, groundout and another K by Valenzuela closed out the game and gave Impact Gold the 12u championship.
