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The Los Alamitos-based So Cal Athletics won the 16 Premier Division title at the PGF Nationals on Friday. The players on the team are, JulianaTricarico, Sarai Niu,  Makayla Martin, Amber Nelson, Celeste Wood, Brittany Violette, Chelsea Purcel, Priscilla Martinez, Marissa Varrati, Kora Wade, Isabella Berouty,  Madison Hanson, Nicole Martinez, Molly Pellkofer,  Karter Williams, Oliva Paz and Megan Martin.
The Los Alamitos-based So Cal Athletics won the 16 Premier Division title at the PGF Nationals on Friday. The players on the team are, JulianaTricarico, Sarai Niu, Makayla Martin, Amber Nelson, Celeste Wood, Brittany Violette, Chelsea Purcel, Priscilla Martinez, Marissa Varrati, Kora Wade, Isabella Berouty, Madison Hanson, Nicole Martinez, Molly Pellkofer, Karter Williams, Oliva Paz and Megan Martin.
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IRVINE – Makayla Martin scattered four hits and struck out nine as the SoCal Athletics edged the Beverly Bandits, 2-1,  on Friday at Barber Park to capture the 16 Premier Division title at the Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championships.

The Bandits, based in Beverly, Ill., got off to a solid start in trying to defend their crown, as Michaela Schlattman singled home Cambry Arnold with one out in the opening inning.

The Athletics, based in Los Alamitos and coached by former Mater Dei coach Doug Myers, evened the score in the bottom of the first inning when Chloe Melanson scored on an error with two outs.

The Athletics took the lead in the fourth when pinch runner Nicole Martinez (Yorba Linda High) stole second and scored on a throwing error on the play.

Martin, who recently completed her sophomore season at Scripps Ranch of San Diego, allowed only two hits after the first inning. Martin went 5-0 in the circle in the tournament.

In the 14 Premier Division title game:

Megan Faraimo allowed only three hits and struck out eight batters in six innings as the Corona Angels defeated the SoCal Athletics, 7-1, on Friday morning at Barber Park to capture the 14 Premier Division title.

This marks the first PGF national championship for the Corona Angels travel ball program.

“This is a big moment for this team, but also for the entire Corona Angels organization,” said Marty Tyson, who is the founder of the program and the head coach of the 14U team. “The team had their backs against the wall several times, but they showed so much heart.”

The Angels had to battle their way through the loser’s bracket after being defeated by the Athletics, 8-2, in the quarterfinals of bracket play Thursday afternoon. Tyson’s squad won three straight games later that evening to earn a second meeting with the Athletics.

Faraimo retired the first 11 batters Friday, but that streak ended when Malia Quarles belted a solo home run with two outs in the fourth inning to give the Athletics the 1-0 advantage.

Madi Huskey helped the Angels draw even in the bottom of the fourth when she singled home Anna Vines.

The Angels scored six runs in the fifth to take control of the game. Amani Bradley singled home the go-ahead run, and she and Vines scored on passed balls. Annabelle Salas had a two-run single in the inning, and Lexi Delgado also drove in a run.

The game was called after six innings because of the tournament’s mercy rule.

Faraimo‘s performance capped a tremendous week in the pitcher’s circle. Faraimo, a San Diego County resident who recently graduated from junior high school, posted a 8-1 record during the week with a 1.08 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 52 innings.