2024 18+ National

Palm Beach Thunder 7 – Georgia Cherokees 1

Submitted by Mike Soulen, manager

After winning the 2022 Fall Classic for their departed player, Shawn Chiaramonte, and being knocked out of the 2023 Fall Classic in the playoffs, the Palm Beach Thunder returned to the championship game in 2024.

Pitching and defense were the name of the game again for the Thunder this tournament. Over seven games, the staff finished with a 2.95 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, and the team committed only six errors. In the championship game against an excellent Cherokees team, four pitchers allowed just four hits and one unearned run, while the defense committed one error.

Many players deserve a shout-out, but tournament MVP Javier Molina was the team’s heart and soul this time. Molina played exceptional defense in the outfield and led the team with eleven hits, scoring eight times while driving in ten runs and swiping nine bags.

Mike DeLeeuw followed suit with ten hits of his own, scoring eight times, driving in six, and walking six times to lead the team with a .600 on-base percentage.

The Palm Beach Thunder have been around for 21 years, and their current fall season marks their 42nd season. The 2024 Fall Classic marks the team’s 15th tournament since its inaugural season in 2000.

Over the years, the team has reached the championship game thirteen out of fifteen times, received runner-up honors five times, and has won eight tournament championships. The team attributes its success to its team-before-self attitude and playing with players who love and respect the game.