Midway Thoughts from Colorado 4th of July, IDT

Fourth of July action from the Rocky Mountains did not disappoint as there were fireworks in the sky and fireworks on the diamond. The two major softball tournaments in the country are hitting the midway point as teams are battling in pool play for bracket seeding and national recognition.

The Boulder Independence Day Tournament (IDT) continued pool play today with the 16U division competing in Longmont, Colorado and the 18U division battling it out in Boulder. One of the hottest 16U teams in the tourney is the GA Impact- Taylor squad which continues to attract college coaches by the truckload. After two days of pool play, they have outscored their opponents by a staggering margin (40-5). Addie Rackley (2026) is a prolific two-way player, while Cece Springfield (2026) is one of the most consistent hitters in her class. She can spray the field and drive the ball with power. 

One of the most anticipated matchups today in the 18U division featured Scott Smith’s Texas Bombers vs. Katie Stith’s Batbusters. Both teams are littered with talent as 2026 standout, Caroline Stanton, got the ball in the circle. With movement, velocity, and a deadly offspeed, Stanton has all the tools to be elite at the next level. Equally impressive were 2026 leadoff shortstop Anabela Abdullah and 2026 second baseman Brooklyn Gidley. The ability to cover ground, spin double plays, and execute plays on the run make this middle infield duo among the best in the country. 

Katie Stith’s Batbuster team featured elite talent in 2026 center fielder Grace Maguire and 2026 lefty catcher Torynn Slaughter. It is important to note, despite getting cleated on a close play at the plate, Slaughter held onto to the tag and saved a run before exiting the game with the injury.  The Boulder IDT has one more day of pool play before the single elimination tourney begins on Saturday.

Note: The bracket battle in Boulder has traditionally set the stage for the PGF and Alliance national tournament.

Across the city in Aurora, the Triple Crown tournament was highlighted by the 16U television bracket final between the Mojo-Lewis and Rick Hovermale’s Athletics Mercado squad.

In what began as a tight battle between Lydia Berent (2026) and Addison DeRoche (2027), the Athletics Mercado hitters struck quickly and efficiently tallying 14 hits and scoring in every inning except one. Shortstop Bailey Goldberg (2026) is not only impressive on defense, she went 2-3 at the plate while middle infield counterpart Taylor Johns (2026) was 2-4, scoring 2 runs and tallying 2 RBI. Kylie Tafua (2026) was 2-2,and stole 2 bases.

Mojo-Lewis has an equally impressive middle infield highlighted by 2026 shortstop Halle Bailey. With double plays turned by both teams in this contest, these middles are definitely ones to keep your eyes on in the future. Pulling double duty tonight behind the dish in this game was power-hitting catcher Avary Stockwell (2026). Stockwell hit a monster homerun late in this game before competing in the 16U Futures game. Despite some lineup controversy at the end of this one, Hovermale’s Athletics Mercado team earned the 8-3 win. 

Perhaps, some of the most exciting events of the week occurred tonight at Aurora Sports Park. In the main four-field complex, you could catch the Homerun Derby, the Fastest of the 4th competition and the 14U and 16U Future Stars games.

The action continues into the weekend as both tournaments get ready for bracket elimination play and Softball America will be on hand to cover the action On Every Field at Every Level.