OKLAHOMA CITY – After capturing the 2022 All-American Games (AAG) title with the Region 5 Stars, Texas natives Macie Bryant and Taegan Lermann went on to make history as members of the first-ever U-15 Women’s National Team (WNT). A USA Softball journey that started atop the national stage in 2022, Bryant and Lermann reflect on how the All-American Games prepared them to excel as gold medalists on the international stage with the U-15 WNT. Both a part of the gold medal squad at the 2023 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Pan American Championship in Lima, Peru and the championship team at the 2023 Utsugi Cup in Takasaki City, Japan, the two have elevated their national victory to international success.
The pair first put on a USA Softball jersey at the prestigious All-American Games – a tournament providing national exposure to elite athletes in the 12U age division. Designed to identify the best players across the country, each of the 10 USA Softball Regions select teams to represent their geographical area and highlight individual athletes for their outstanding playing abilities. Designation to a USA Softball All-American team is the highest honor a player can receive and instantly brands the player as one of the top 360 athletes in the United States in the 12-Under division.
Participating in the 2021 & 2022 All-American Games gave Bryant a taste of what it would be like to represent the Red, White and Blue – from the exciting crowds to playing with girls from across the nation.
“It kind of gives you a glimpse of what you’re getting yourself into,” said Bryant, who represents the Impact Gold 2k9 National team when she is not competing with the U-15 WNT.
A force in the circle at the 2022 All-American Games, Bryant tossed 48 strikeouts through 23.2 innings for the Region 5 Stars en route to the AAG trophy – a performance that was well reflected on the international stage. Fast forward one year and Bryant now totals a combined 41 strikeouts and 0.00 ERA through 17 innings pitched for Team USA, while guiding the U.S. to championship wins in both international events.
“Both experiences were really fun – just in different ways,” said Bryant. “With the U-15 WNT, you’re playing against other countries instead of playing against girls around your country,” she added.
Alongside Bryant on the 2022 All-American Games Region 5 Stars championship team was Taegan Lermann, who notes her favorite part of participating in the games as getting to play at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium – OGE Energy Field, home to the NCAA Women’s College World Series and a bucket-list item for any aspiring softball athlete.
A dominant two-way player, Lermann tossed four innings for the Region 5 Stars while holding a .400 slugging percentage to assist in the championship win. She credits the All-American Games for her ability to work with her teammates from around the nation both on and off the field, stating, “At the All-American Games, you meet different types of people from all across the country. We get put together and you have to figure out a way to do your job on the team.”
Proving a quick and efficient learner, Lermann immediately found her groove on the U.S. U-15 WNT as well – remaining a dual threat with a .500 batting average and six total strikeouts through a combined four innings. When she is not sporting the Red, White and Blue, Lermann is a key player for the Hotshots National Nelson 16U team.
Several other members from the U-15 WNT championship squads made their debut on the USA Softball national stage at the All-American Games – including Anabela Abdullah (2021 – Region 3), Aspen Boulware (2021 – Region 3), Madi Doty (2021 – Region 5), Sofia Hernandez (2021 – Region 10), Ella Kim (2021 – Region 10), Aubrey McLaughlin (2021 – Region 10), Lily Pullen (2020, 2021 – Region 7) and Torynn Slaughter (2021 – Region 10).
Previously announced by USA Softball, Bryant and Lermann were both selected to represent the U.S. in Tokyo, Japan later this year at the U-15 WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup where the duo will look to add a third first-place finish of the year to their resumes. Alongside Bryant and Lermann in Japan, will be Abdullah, Boulware, Doty, Hernandez, McLaughlin, and Pullen.
For these U-15 WNT athletes, the Path to the Podium started at the grassroots level where they earned a spot on an All-American Games roster which led to a championship win at the Softball Capital of the World®. Serving as a catalyst for success, the All-American Games experience – paired with their involvement in the USA Softball High Performance Program – provided the pair with an opportunity to earn a spot on a Team USA roster. With a new set of athletes looking to make their All-American Games debut later this week, a new chapter will be written, and a new story will begin as athletes from across the country come together with a dream to wear the Red, White and Blue – not only from August 10-13, but for the rest of their days on the diamond.