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IMG Academy
BRADENTON, Fla. (June 25, 2025) – IMG Academy, the world’s leading sports education brand, baseball team secured its second MaxPreps Baseball National Championship since 2023 after finishing the season 24-1.
The Ascenders finished the season undefeated at home, riding a 15-game win streak. Over the course of the season, they secured five victories against MaxPreps Top 25 teams and had seven wins over teams that reached at least the quarterfinals of their state playoffs. The team also defeated seven teams that won a state or association championship, including The First Academy (FL) twice, American Christian Academy (AL), St. John’s College High School (DC), Magnolia Heights (MS), Blessed Trinity (GA), and Inspiration Academy (FL).
The 2025 MaxPreps Baseball National Champions featured a deep and exceptionally talented roster. They had an outstanding season, achieving a team batting average of .366 and scoring 193 runs over 25 games—an average of 7.72 runs per game. Defensively, they were just as dominant, allowing only 44 runs total, or 1.76 runs per game. Leading the pitching staff was senior ace Chase Bentley, who went a perfect 10-0. He posted an impressive 0.94 ERA, striking out 62 batters while walking only five in 59.2 innings. The team also competed in two national tournaments during the season, winning both the Perfect Game High Showdown in Hoover, AL, and the IMG Academy National Classic.
Offensively, the Ascenders were powered by standout performances from senior Dean Moss, (.471/.611/1.282) and senior Sean Gamble (.413/.484/1.310). Seniors Kelvyn Paulino and Nate Eisfelder also made significant contributions, each hitting .371. Gamble and Eisfelder tied for the team lead with four home runs apiece, while Paulino added three of his own.
"We are honored to be named the 2025 MaxPreps Baseball National Champions— finishing the season 24-1, with a dominant run against top-tier competition, reflecting our student-athletes’ relentless work ethic and our staff’s unwavering commitment to their development," said Dan Simonds, Director of Baseball at IMG Academy. "This team raised the bar for excellence on the field and embodied the unrivaled standard we strive for across IMG Academy. It's been incredibly rewarding to watch our student-athletes grow, and we’re excited to watch them win their future at the collegiate and professional levels."
The Ascenders were first crowned MaxPreps Baseball National Champions in 2023 after making school history with a perfect 25-0 season. While it was their second MaxPreps national title, it marked the program’s third overall national championship. IMG Academy Baseball previously received national honors in 2019 when the team was named USA Today Super High School National Champions in the Super 25 rankings following a dominant 24-1 season.
With their third national championship since 2019 now secured, the IMG Academy Baseball Team has set a new standard for excellence. They join a prestigious group of student-athletes and sports programs excelling at IMG Academy, including:
- The IMG Academy’s Track and Field Program secured three National Titles in the 2025 New Balance National Outdoor.
- The IMG Academy Girls National Basketball Team secured its first-ever Chipotle National Championship.
- IMG Academy Varsity Football team captured its second straight SSIA State Championship.
- The girls' track and field 4x800m broke the U.S. High School National Record at an 8:46:04 mark.
- Tennis student-athlete Wakana Sonobe won the Australian Open Junior Championship.
- The girls lacrosse program made history by securing a spot in the Top-20 rankings of USA Lacrosse.
This championship-winning team wasn’t the only IMG Academy baseball squad to find success this season. In total, eight of the program’s nine varsity teams finished with winning records, and three earned 20 or more victories. IMG Academy’s Baseball Program also continues to make an impact beyond campus, with 20 alumni competing in the NCAA College Baseball World Series and former student-athletes projected to be selected in the upcoming Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. 2021 IMG Academy alumnus James Wood is also making headlines in the pros, enjoying a breakout season with the Washington Nationals—batting .279 with 21 home runs, 57 RBIs, and a .934 OPS—further exemplifying the program’s influence at every level of the game.
About IMG Academy
IMG Academy is the world’s leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:
- Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
- Online coaching via the IMG Academy+ brand, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
- Online college recruiting, via the NCSA brand, providing content, tools, coaching and access to a network of 40,000 college coaches
To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.
