July 5, 2026
By Jack Carlough
AURORA — Love The Game Henderson/Buck’s consistent approach at the plate helped pave the way toward an emphatic 17-9 win over Athletics Mercado Tidd in the 14U TV Power Pool Championship on Friday.
Despite trailing by five runs twice in the first two innings, Love The Game stayed calm in the box and ultimately produced a 14-run carousel of chaos in its half of the second. Head coaches Joe Henderson and Amanda Buck sent 18 batters to the plate, including nine who reached via base hit and six who were either walked or hit by a pitch.
Sophia Puentes and Tamiayh Ward delivered the two biggest hits of the inning. The former scorched a two-run homer, and the latter pulled a three-run shot over the right field fence.
“I was seeing a lot of outside pitches, and I just had to go up there with a lot of confidence and just think, ‘I have to do this for my team,’” said Ward, a 2029 middle infielder/catcher.
Ward also displayed her patience at the plate with a walk in the first inning, which preceded a three-run homer from Maddy Benzler.
“Coach Joe teaches us a lot about keeping your composure at the plate and staying patient,” Ward said.
After dropping its second pool game on Tuesday to the Nebraska Gold 2011s, Love The Game rattled off seven straight wins to secure the 14U TV Power Pool title. Its path to the championship included victories over Lady Magic Allen 2029 and Impact Gold National 2029 Holmes on Friday morning.
“It took everyone and everything,” Ward said. “We all had to put in what we had, and that just made a big difference.”
In the circle, 2029 southpaw Lauren Klomp held Athletics Mercado’s likewise potent offense to four runs over the final four innings. She struck out six in the process.
“I feel like everything collectively this whole day has been helping,” Klomp said of her pitch arsenal. “My curveball for inside, my riseball, my screwball outside, everything. And then my changeups really got them on their toes.”
Largely due to Love The Game’s discipline at the plate, Athletics Mercado struggled to find an effective arm in the circle. The visiting Athletics changed pitchers three times within the first two innings, all while allowing 17 runs.
Athletics Mercado’s Sophia Villalobos had five RBIs, and Abby Shelton recorded a two-run double in the first inning. However, its offensive efforts ultimately fizzled out in the final three innings.
Based in Elk Grove, California, Love The Game players took pride in enjoying themselves throughout the tournament.
“It's so much fun with these girls,” Klomp said. “We have such a great group. It's amazing.”
