July 6, 2025
By Jack Carlough
LOVELAND, Colo. — Playing in their fourth straight game of the day and 11th of the entire tournament, Oklahoma Athletics Madden/LaValley had to dig deep in Sunday’s Colorado Sparkler Junior 14U Supplemental Power Pool championship matchup against Mojo 2028 Patterson.
In what became a battle of mental strength, head coach Carter LaValley’s Athletics ultimately proved most resilient, particularly at the plate. Oklahoma rattled off 17 hits and scored nearly as many runs en route to a 13-2 title game victory at Loveland’s Barnes Complex.
Championship plaque in hand, LaValley was all smiles when praising his players’ effort throughout the 61-team supplemental power pool tournament.
“They've put in a lot of work,” LaValley said. “I'm very proud. Offense came crazy. Defense played extremely well and pitching. We only have a couple pitchers — I got four — so they did well.”
LaVally tabbed Ryleigh Fixico to quiet Mojo Patterson’s big bats, and the class of 2030 pitcher succeeded in allowing only two runs across five innings pitched. Fixico didn’t allow any runs after the first inning and struck out six.
“I think my dropball was working a lot,” Fixico said. “I got a few miss-hits and a few swings-and-misses.”
At the plate, Oklahoma Athletics scored one in the first before rattling off three straight four-run frames in the third, fourth and fifth. Eight different Athletics had at least one hit, with shortstop Brinley Conrad, right fielder Bentleigh Wood and third baseman Halle Herrmann each recording three knocks.
“I just want to hit the ball,” Wood said. “I was making contact and hitting the right field gap. I have a lot of confidence in myself.”
Mojo Patterson finished with eight hits in the five-inning (mercy rule) championship game but struggled to capitalize on big opportunities. Center fielder Madison Brown led Mojo with two hits and two RBIs while second baseman Brylee Autry, shortstop Peyton Patterson, designated player Olivia Storey, catcher Grayson Payne and left fielder Sophia Roche each singled.
Other Athletics who stepped up at the plate included center fielder Brylee Ridley (two hits), left fielder Sam Conrad (two hits, three RBIs) and catcher Mackenzie Gibbons (two hits, three RBIs).
“They're a fun team to watch,” LaValley said. “It's a running joke, but I always pick visitor. I always lose coin tosses on purpose. I always pick visitor because I want to hit first.”
Oklahoma Athletics’ path to the championship game included wins over Arizona Rising Mabrey (8-5), Sorcerer Gold (9-1) and BC Premier Fastpitch Steel (15-5). Mojo Patterson also rallied for three wins to reach the title game, beating Impact Gold National Mendoza (12-5), OC Batbusters Lemon (10-4) and Frost Falcons Harr (12-2).
