PHOENIX — A wild come-from-behind victory highlighted a bracket day filled with close games and impressive individual performances.

The field was narrowed down to just eight teams remaining in the winner’s bracket, as we break down some of the action from Thursday morning.

Round of 32 — NorCal U 2025 Black 9, FS21 Stars – GBG 15U 1

Both teams entered the game with a spot in the Round of 16 on the line, as NorCal U 2025 Black secured the No. 5 seed and battled against the No. 28 seed, FS21 Stars – GBG.

A big second inning began with back-to-back doubles by NorCal to strike first with the latter being an RBI double from Jack West. The floodgates opened soon after, as Hayden Elchlepp drove West home with an RBI single of his own to go up 2-0.

NorCal plated seven runs in the second frame with two, two-run doubles coming from Vincent Robinson and Brayden Jaska to grab a 7-0 lead. The FS21 Stars got one back in the fifth courtesy of an RBI single from Andrew Hover, but NorCal responded with two more in the bottom half to take the mercy-rule win.

Devin Dunne was phenomenal on the mound for NorCal, throwing all five innings and only allowing one run. He struck out two en route to victory and got ahead of 67 % of hitters he faced on the afternoon.

NorCal also grabbed a win in the Round of 16, and will take on Pono Hawaii in the quarterfinals, Friday at 7 a.m.

Round of 16 — Downtown Baseball 11, Zinger Prospects West 10

Down 10-3 in the fifth inning, all hope was gone for Downtown Baseball. Until it wasn’t.

The No. 31 seed, who knocked off the No. 2 seed Team Kado Hawaii earlier in the day, showed some signs of hope in the fifth inning. A single, hit-by-pitch, and walk loaded the bases for Downtown Baseball who had four hits up to that point.

Two walks and a two-run single cut the deficit to 10-7, and finally gave some life to Downtown’s dugout. Their pitching staff also felt the energy and set down the Zinger Propsects in order to end the fifth inning.

Downtown Baseball picked up right where they left off and quickly loaded the bases in the final inning, down 10-8. A walk and a sacrifice fly from Drew Perry tied the game at 10, just one inning after being down by seven. Jackson Norton then delivered the final blow with an RBI single to plate a run and give Downtown Baseball an 11-10 lead.

The fireworks weren’t done yet, as an incredible diving catch by Boston Costley put an exclamation point on the improbable victory and sent the crowd into a frenzy. A win defined by grit, toughness, and effort sent Downtown Baseball into Friday’s quarterfinals.

Downtown Baseball will meet OC Elite Baseball on Friday at 7 a.m. in the quarterfinals.

Dugout Chatter

• "We’ve got a great group of kids who have a lot of heart. They came a long way today and we’re showing people what we can do. We’ve been battling every day and here we are in the quarterfinals." — Downtown Baseball head coach Peter Pryor said.

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