Briese Breakdown: The Intangibles

2022 15U National Team Manager provides insight into the makeup of a Team USA member

July 13, 2022

Representing Team USA is more than being a good baseball player – it is about being an even better person. This week at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, Task Force members aren’t simply scouting the National Team Championships North Carolina for high velocity or the longest home runs; they

Representing Team USA is more than being a good baseball player – it is about being an even better person.

This week at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, Task Force members aren’t simply scouting the National Team Championships North Carolina for high velocity or the longest home runs; they are evaluating the kind of teammate these ballplayers are for the ones around them. 2022 15U National Team Manager Drew Briese and the rest of the determined group of scouts are watching every minute detail, even when the ball isn’t coming your way.

“We are absolutely watching what’s going on when the ball is not around you,” Briese said. “That can be between the lines. We’re watching whether you are backing up a base or communicating with the people around you. It can also be outside the lines, like what are you like when you’re in the dugout. We go down and we sit in the dugouts. We listen to the way guys talk and the energy they bring to their team. We’re evaluating all aspects of their game and their personality. That’s really important to us that not only are we finding the most talented players, but guys who are going to fit the mission of what we are trying to do here - which is go win a gold medal.”

The mission is of the utmost importance to Briese. The opportunity to don the red, white, and blue is a special opportunity and carries more weight than many these young men have experienced before. While a gold medal is the ultimate goal, having a group of players eager to compete and play for the love of baseball is what he truly wants to see.

“I really want guys who understand the mission and what this is all about, and the value playing for Team USA,” the skipper said. “They play so much baseball every weekend throughout the summer, you start to see it in the way that they play and sometimes in the way that they carry themselves. What’s going to be a really important thing for our staff to identify in the training camp setting is how competitive are they. How much do they really love to play the game? When they’re at the end of their summer and we are in our seventh game of the World Cup matched up against Cuba, how much energy are they going to have?”

To accomplish the mission and achieve the gold medal standard Briese has in place for the 15U National Team, there will have to be adjustments and sacrifices. Players will be put in an environment they are not typically used to and how they react to adversity will be a true test. This will call for these individuals to be selfless.

“This is about giving yourself over to the mission,” Briese said. “We’re going to have guys that are hitting first, second, and third on every lineup they’ve ever been in their whole life. Some of them are going to be asked to take a reserve role. Some of them have been starting pitchers their entire career and will be asked to be relievers. They’re going to be asked to carry ball bags and push themselves physically beyond the limits they’ve gone before. They’re going to have to push themselves well beyond where they have been before.”

If there is any time to push yourself to the limit, the time is now, when an invite to National Team Training Camp or a final roster spot is on the line. Briese and the staff will be prepared to spread the message of how monumental this is to have an entire nation behind you, cheering you on.

“It’s important to talk about it means to represent your country,” Briese said. “What does that mean to stand and hear the anthem playing on a baseball field? We’ll talk a lot about that. This is an opportunity well beyond anything they’ve done before, in terms of representing a team or their school. Now, they’re representing an entire nation.”

When Briese leads the 2022 15U National Team in the coming months, expect a respectful, hardworking squad excited to prove Team USA is the best and prepared to bring gold back for their country.

Seven-Run First Fuels USA Prime National Past ZT Prospects National for 13U Champs NC Bronze

July 20, 2023

CARY, N.C. – A seven-run first inning fueled USA Prime National’s (5-1) decisive 12-5 victory over ZT Prospects National (4-2) to earn third place and a bronze medal at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina. USA Prime gained the lead in the first inning and never looked back

CARY, N.C. – A seven-run first inning fueled USA Prime National’s (5-1) decisive 12-5 victory over ZT Prospects National (4-2) to earn third place and a bronze medal at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

USA Prime gained the lead in the first inning and never looked back as the team maintained a five-run lead or more throughout the contest. Seven walks and two hits combined for seven runs as ZT Prospects burned through three pitchers alone in the first frame.

ZT Prospects earned one run back in its half of the first after a two-out double by Zachary Estrada scored Angel Gonzalez. Scoring plateaued but USA Prime continued to widen its lead after Griffin Tillery, James Stout, and Colin Raymond put balls in play to plate three more runs and make it 10-1. A portion of those runs were offset after two errors allowed ZT Prospects to score twice and make it 10-3 after three innings of play.

ZT Prospects continued to chop away at the deficit as Anthony Huaranga and Adriel Rivera each tallied RBIs to make it a five-run difference. A bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch in the home half of the sixth separated USA Prime by a wide margin once again. ZT Prospects threatened in its half of the sixth with the bases loaded but could only manage to plate one before being put out on an unassisted play by the third baseman, Brandon Forrest, for the third and final out of regulation.

Tillery led the team in hits as he collected a pair of singles while driving in two and scoring once for USA Prime. Stout and Jaaron Frye each gathered two runs batted in while Colin McGowan, Jake Welch, and Raymond each recorded an RBI in addition to two runs scored.

Gonzalez and Rivera each went 2-for-3 for ZT Prospects with Gonzalez scoring twice and Rivera plating a run. Estrada gathered two RBIs in his 1-for-3 performance.

USA Prime National concludes the tournament with a record of 5-1 while ZT Prospects finishes the National Team Championships with a 4-2 record.

Reed Johnson Baseball Academy Defeats SBA 13U National Team, 7-3, to Claim 13U Champs NC Gold Medal

July 20, 2023

CARY, N.C. – Reed Johnson Baseball Academy (5-1) registered 10 hits on the day and Luke Pearson went 2-for-4 with two hits and an RBI in a 7-3 victory over SBA 13U National Team (4-2) to capture the second-ever 13U National Team Championships North Carolina gold medal. HOW IT HAPPENED

CARY, N.C. – Reed Johnson Baseball Academy (5-1) registered 10 hits on the day and Luke Pearson went 2-for-4 with two hits and an RBI in a 7-3 victory over SBA 13U National Team (4-2) to capture the second-ever 13U National Team Championships North Carolina gold medal.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Similar to the team’s semifinal game, RJBA got off to an electric start, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Tyce Johnson crossed the plate first on a ground ball single by Pearson. Nathan Reyes then walked with the bases loaded to bring in another run.
Later in the inning, Isaiah Bastardo sent Troy Sibolboro home on a ground-out RBI and finally Pearson scored on a line drive single to right field by Noah Knudson.
SBA battled back in the bottom of the first, making up two runs on a ground-out RBI by Luke Esquivel and hard ground ball single by Jarod Flowers bringing home Isaiah Cador and Julian Martinez.
Martinez made it a one-run game in the third inning, reaching the bag on a sacrifice fly to center field by Flowers after reaching base on a line drive single.
RJBA tacked on two more runs in the fifth when Sibolboro drove in Xavier Romero with a single to center field and Johnson scored on a passed ball.
Luis Daniel Alonzo II walked to bring in a final run for RJBA in the top of the seventh to conclude the game with a 7-3 final score.

NOTABLE STATS

Pearson led RJBA on offense, going 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.
Johnson was also stout at the plate, finishing the day 2-for-4 with two runs.
On the mound, Alonzo II pitched 3.0 shutout innings, allowing only one run.
For SBA, Flowers went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Cador had a memorable triple to left field.

13U Champs NC Day Four Consolation Roundup

July 20, 2023

TOP TIER SELECT 12, TEAM ELITE 4

Nick Potter went 3-for-4 with three singles and three RBIs to lead Top Tier Select (4-1) to a 12-4 run-rule win over Team Elite (2-3) in the final round of consolation play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Team Elite scored the first two runs of the day in the top of the first off a sacrifice fly by Breck Hemphill and an RBI double by Brennan New. Top Tier responded in the bottom of the opening frame with four runs of its own. Two bases-loaded walks, a fielding error, and a sacrifice fly by Kai Torre made it 4-2 in favor of Top Tier after one inning of play. A scoreless second followed before Team Elite got a run back thanks to a sac fly from Colin Anderson.

Team Elite made it 4-4 in the top of the fourth when Colton Dabkowski singled into right field and scored a runner from third. With the game tied heading into the bottom of the frame, Top Tier regained its lead after singles by Dylan Murphy and Potter and a double from Dylan Crowe that made it 7-4. Abram Decena doubled in the bottom of the fifth to make it 8-4 prior to a bases-loaded hit batter and walk scored two more runs for Top Tier. Potter and Carver Cruse each collected RBI singles to make the score 12-4 in favor of Top Tier and end the game in the fifth due to a run rule.

Decena turned in a 2-for-3 performance with a single, double, RBI, and three runs scored for the Top Tier offense. Darret Branson threw all 5.0 innings for Top Tier, striking out five batters and allowing six hits. New led the Team Elite offense, going 2-for-2 with a single, double, RBI, and run scored.

SCOTTSDALE DIRTBAGS 4, CANES WEST 13U 3

Scottsdale Dirtbags (4-1) earned a 4-3 walk-off win over Canes West 13U (1-3-1) in the final round of consolation play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Scottsdale got on the board in the second inning when Justin Tieman’s single to center field drove in Chase Gockenbach from second after he led off the inning with a base hit through the left side. Canes knotted the score in the fourth when Eli Martinez reached base on a double to left field and was doubled in on Kingston Sinner’s double to left field.

In the sixth, Scottsdale took its lead back when Mason Smith and Makhi Kirschner crossed home plate on wild pitches in consecutive at-bats, but Canes once again tied things up in the top of the seventh when Josiah Park’s single to right field and a walk with the bases loaded made it 3-3 heading into the final frame.

Gockenbach came up clutch for his team when he scored the game-winning run to secure the 4-3 walk-off victory. He led off the side with a base hit, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch, then came home on Ben Jacobus’s single up the middle.

At the plate, Gockenbach led all players with a 3-for-3 outing and two runs scored, and Jacobus (2-for-3, RBI) also turned in a multi-hit performance for Scottsdale Dirtbags. Martinez and Sinner tallied two hits apiece for Canes West 13U to combine for four of the team’s six runs.

Kirschner was credited with the win after tossing the final inning of the game, while Dylan Lincicum was saddled with the loss after giving up the game-winning run in the seventh.

CALI NATIONAL BASEBALL ACADEMY 9, AZ RUNNERS SCOUT TEAM 1

Cali National Baseball Academy exploded for nine runs in a three-inning span to beat the AZ Runners Scout Team, 9-1, in consolation action at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Cali scored early and often on Thursday, cracking the scoreboard in the second on an RBI single by Sam Wagner. The second run came home on a double play that plated Logan Pena to make it 2-0.

Cali National added another two runs in the top of the third when Brock Rainis smacked a two-run double to center field and put Cali in front 4-0. The offense continued in the top of the fourth, as Hudson Hempel scored on an error and Alan Montes hit an RBI single to make it 7-0. Dane Thornton followed with a hard-hit double and a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch brought home Pietro Rose as Cali National’s lead grew to nine.

Ty Chambless hit an RBI double to get AZ on the board in the bottom of the fourth, but that was all the team could muster as Cali held on for the 9-1 victory.

Nine different players registered a hit in Cali’s win, including Rainis, who drove in a game-high two runs and drew a walk. Thornton also had a hit, RBI, and run scored. For AZ, Chambless went 2-for-2 with an RBI.

Juan Sandoval tossed 4.0 innings and allowed just one run, punching out five to earn the win for Cali. Ryan Morales suffered the loss after allowing four runs in 3.0 frames.

PREMIER-NATIONAL 4, DIRTBAGS NATIONAL 0

Hunter Heinrich went 2-for-3 with two singles to lead Premier-National (2-3-0) to a 4-0 win over Dirtbags National (1-4-0) in consolation play at the 2023 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Premier-National collects its second victory of the event.

Caleb Cardenas got things started for Premier-National in the bottom of the second with an RBI single that plated the first run of the contest for either squad. Premier-National collected another run in the bottom of the third when an infield error by Dirtbags allowed Levi Kerr to score from third to make it 2-0 after reaching on a single to start the inning. A Tristan Gaines RBI single and an RBI groundout by Jack Doss each plated a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to make it 4-0 in favor of Premier-National. Asher Chapa entered the game in the top of the seventh and struck out two batters to secure the 4-0 shutout victory for Premier-National.

Lukas Metzen threw 6.0 scoreless innings, striking out three batters while allowing just three hits. Kerr went 2-for-3 with two base hits and a run scored for the Premier-National offense. Liam Skeen went 1-for-3 with a double for Dirtbags National.

STACKED 9, DULINS DODGERS PRIME 5

Blake Barberena went 2-for-2 with an RBI and run scored as Stacked (2-2-1) picked up a 9-5 win over Dulins Dodgers Prime (1-4) to wrap up the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Stacked got the scoring started in the top of the second, taking advantage of a pair of errors to bring home Barbarena and Jesse Lopez.

A five-run top of the third helped Stacked build a bigger lead and begin to pull away. After a bases-loaded walk made it 3-0, Enzo Recalde singled home a run to make it a four-run lead. Grayson Thomas followed by drawing a bases-loaded walk, followed by an RBI knock by Barbarena and an error to make it 7-0.

Dulins chipped away, scoring three times in the bottom of the third. After a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch plated their opening run, Cason Howard singled home a run and Baylor Shaw walked with the bases full to make it 7-3. Stacked increased its lead to five on a groundout in the top of the fourth, but Dulins crept even closer in the bottom half on a two-run error to make it 8-5.

Stacked then scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Fritz to add an insurance run in the fifth and held on to pick up the 9-5 victory.

In addition to Barbarena's two-hit day, Recalde added a 1-for-3 day with an RBI. Four different players picked up a hit for Dulins, and Shaw drew two walks and drove in a run.

On the mound, Stacked starter Owen Eteuati Edwards threw 3.0 innings and allowed three runs. Jacob Bryson started for Dulins and allowed seven runs (three earned) to suffer the loss.

LAMORINDA TITANS 6, ARKANSAS WARRIORS 4

Bryce Farris went 2-for-3 with a single, a triple, and two RBIs to lead Lamorinda Titans (1-4) to a 6-4 victory over Arkansas Warriors (0-5) in the final game of consolation play at the 2023 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Lamorinda Titans collects its first win of the event.

Lamorinda got things started in the first when a fielding error by Arkansas and a Jacob Hinojosa RBI single made it 2-0. Hudson Roach picked up a single that scored the first run of the day for Arkansas in the bottom of the second. In the top of the third, Farris hit an RBI single into right that made it 3-1 in favor of Lamorinda. Arkansas narrowed the Lamorinda lead in the bottom of the fourth when Jackson McDonald ripped a double to center that scored another and made it 3-2. Lamorinda extended the lead in the top of the fifth with three runs on a Jack Carpenter single, a Farris triple, and a steal home on an attempted pickoff that made it 6-2. Jackson Hood provided a two-run triple in the bottom of the seventh for Arkansas, but Gavin McMillan struck out the final batter of the game to secure the 6-4 win for Lamorinda Titans.

McMillan went 1-for-4 with a single and struck out six batters in a complete game for Lamorinda. Blaine Van Hilsen threw 4.0 innings for Arkansas and struck out two batters. McDonald led Arkansas offensively, going 2-for-3 with a single and a double.

This concludes play at the 2023 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Reed Johnson, SBA Punch Tickets To 13U Champs NC Gold Medal Game

July 20, 2023

In a pair of tightly-contested semifinal matchups Reed Johnson Baseball Academy and SBA 13U National Team punched their tickets to the gold medal game at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina. The contest is slated for a 10:30 a.m. first pitch at Coleman Field in Cary.

SBA Shuts Out USA Prime National, Advances to 13U Champs NC Gold Medal Game

CARY, N.C. – Dominant work on the mound by SBA 13U National Team’s (4-1) Luke Esquivel combined with the bat of Julian Martinez proved to be a deadly combination, as Esquivel took a no-hitter into the sixth and Martinez notched a 3-for-4 performance to shut out USA Prime National (4-1), 4-0.

With the win, SBA advances to the gold medal game where it will face Reed Johnson Baseball Academy in a battle for the title of champion.

HOW IT HAPPENED

SBA National tacked on two early runs as a leadoff walk to Isaiah Cador came around to score after Martinez notched the first hit of the ball game. A double to the right-center gap placed Caden Borcherding in scoring position and then to home plate after a sacrifice bunt followed by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Hudson Simmons.
Scoring took a pause for a couple innings until an attempted double steal in the fifth registered the third out of the inning, but not before SBA’s Martinez was able to score the third run.
SBA added its fourth and final run in the sixth as its effective small-ball approach paid dividends once again. A sacrifice bunt advanced Trendyn Motley to third, who then came around to score after Adrian Villela drove an 0-2 offering to shallow left for a sacrifice fly.

NOTABLE STATS

Esquivel went the distance for SBA National as he tossed 7.0 innings of one-hit ball while punching out six batters and allowing only two walks.
SBA’s Martinez collected three hits in four at bats with a trio of singles, an RBI and a run scored.
Jarod Flowers had himself a pair of singles and was 2-for-3 for SBA.
The loss was assigned to Jaaron Frye who lasted 5.0 innings in his start for USA Prime. He gave up three earned runs while striking out three in the process.
USA Prime catcher Colt Ward walked once and was responsible for the team’s lone hit with a one-out base knock to center in the sixth.

Sibolboro, Reed Johnson Defeat ZT Prospects to Earn Spot in 13U Champs NC Gold Medal Game

CARY, N.C. – Troy Sibolboro pitched 7.0 innings of one-run baseball to lead Reed Johnson Baseball Academy (4-1) to a 4-1 victory over ZT Prospects National (4-1) in the semifinals of the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Reed Johnson advances to the championship game of the event and will face SBA 13U National Team for a chance to win gold.

HOW IT HAPPENED

RJBA got off to a hot start in the first inning, with Xavier Romero and Sibolboro scoring on an error by the first baseman on a ground ball by Jayson Marquez to give their team a 2-0 lead.
RJBA doubled its lead to 4-0 in the top of the fifth when Nathan Reyes scored on a single by Marquez, and Marquez then scored on a line drive double to left field by Isaiah Bastardo.
In the bottom of the sixth, Zachary Estrada drove in Jacob Gray with a hard-hit single to center field to plate ZT Prospects’ lone run of the game.

NOTABLE STATS

On the bump, starting pitcher Sibolboro pitched 7.0 innings, allowing one run and striking out four for RJBA.
Marquez led RJBA on offense, going 2-for-4 with a hit and RBI.
Six different ZT Prospects players tallied a hit, and Estrada tallied the lone RBI for the squad.
On the mound, ZT’s Dru Wilson took the loss after surrendering two unearned runs in 4.0 innings of work.

13U Champs NC Day Three Consolation Roundup

July 19, 2023

CALI NATIONAL BASEBALL ACADEMY 3, PREMIER-NATIONAL 1 Brock Rainis went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs to lead Cali National Baseball Academy (2-2-0) to a 3-1 victory over Premier-National (1-3-0) in consolation action at the 2023 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina. With the win, Cali National claims

CALI NATIONAL BASEBALL ACADEMY 3, PREMIER-NATIONAL 1

Brock Rainis went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs to lead Cali National Baseball Academy (2-2-0) to a 3-1 victory over Premier-National (1-3-0) in consolation action at the 2023 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Cali National claims its second victory of the week heading into the final day of play at the event.

Cali National put up the first run of the game in the first inning thanks to a Juan Sandoval RBI single. Two scoreless innings followed before Rainis extended the lead to 3-0 with a two-run double in the fourth inning for Cali National. Premier National plated its first run of the day off of an RBI double by Anthony Frausto that made it a two-run game in the top of the seventh, but Cali National pitcher Hudson Hempel was able to force a fly out to right field to end the game and secure the 3-1 victory in the seventh.

Anthony Sanchez added a double and a run scored to help lead the Cali National offense. Lukas Metzen went 2-for-2 with two singles and a walk for the Premier-National offense.

Each team will await its next opponent following the conclusion of day three. All games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

DULINS DODGERS PRIME 8, LAMORINDA TITANS 0

Michael Morris pitched 5.0 shutout innings and led Dulins Dodgers Prime (1-3) to its first victory of the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina against Lamorinda Titans (0-4).

With the win, the Dodgers increase the team’s record to 1-3.

The Dodgers were dominant from the jump, scoring five runs in the second on a sacrifice fly by Jake Bryson, Cooper Cheak being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Cason Howard driving in two runs with a single to center field.

After going unanswered in the second inning, the Dodgers scored again in the top of the third with Baylor Shaw driving in Zimmer Offolter on a fly ball to center.

The Dodgers increased their lead to 8-0 in the fourth inning with Cheak scoring on a passed ball after being hit by a pitch for the second time and Ben Stultz scoring on an error by the first baseman after also being hit by a pitch.

Morris closed out the game for the Dodgers in the bottom of the fifth thanks to the eight-run run-rule.

At the plate, Shaw went 2-for-3 with a hit and RBI for the Dodgers and Jack Carpenter was 2-for-2 for the Titans.

Each team will await its next opponent following the conclusion of day three. All games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

AZ RUNNERS SCOUT TEAM 10, 13U DIRTBAGS NATIONAL 8

AZ Runners Scout Team answered 13U Dirtbags National’s five-run second with a six-run sixth en route to a 10-8 win in consolation action at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

After Arizona jumped out to a 1-0 lead on an error in the first, the Dirtbags exploded for five in the second to take a commanding lead. The first three runs of the rally came on a trio of bases-loaded walks before Caden Scott doubled home two more to make it a 5-1 lead for the Dirtbags.

Arizona began its comeback in the top of the third, scoring twice on a Christopher Escarcega two-out double to get within two. The Runners’ deficit became one in the top of the fourth on a bases-loaded walk, but the Dirtbags got the run back on a sacrifice fly by Ashton Pittman.

Trailing by two in the top of the sixth, the Runners' six-run barrage put them out in front for good. Arizona started the scoring on Ty Holmstead’s RBI single, followed by Ryder Sand’s run-scoring groundout to knot the game at six. Jonah Saken then drew a bases loaded walk, Holmstead scored on an error, Christopher Escarcega hit a sacrifice fly, and Zachary Fiedler poked an RBI single as the Runners’ lead became 10-6.

Arizona scored twice in the seventh on an RBI groundout by Ethan Stewart and a sacrifice fly by Scott, but Arizona held them off to earn the win.

Jacob Torres had a dominant performance at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Escarcega drove in three runs for the victors, and Fiedler had two hits and an RBI. For Dirtbags, Scott had two RBIs to pace the offense.

Fiedler earned the win on the mound with 5.2 innings of solid work, allowing three runs. Devan Welch suffered the loss for the Dirtbags.

Each team will await its next opponent following the conclusion of day three. All games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

STACKED 5, ARKANSAS WARRIORS 3

Jrue Hurd stood out among Stacked’s (1-2-1) consistent offense, as he punched in three runs and lifted his team to a 5-3 victory over Arkansas Warriors (0-4) at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Stacked was poised offensively throughout the contest, as it jumped to an early 2-0 lead in the first after Jrue Hurd punched an RBI double to left and an RBI groundout off the bat of Russell Del Castillo. Zachary Hill recorded his own RBI groundout the inning after, cutting the Team Elite lead in half.

Stacked regained its two-run advantage in the home half of the third, as Hurd slapped a ball to third for a productive out, making it 3-1. Scoring paused until the top of the fifth when Jackson McDonald struck a 2-0 offering to right and plated a pair of runs for Arkansas to tie the game. The Stacked bats stayed active, however, and the winning runs scored in its half of the fifth with a double steal and a sacrifice fly by Hurd in the same at bat, making it 5-3.

Logan Sanders tossed the final two innings for Stacked, preserving his team’s lead and shutting out the Warriors’ offense, earning him the save. Hurd collected three RBIs and a double in his 1-for-2 showing while Jesse Lopez also gathered a hit and scored twice for Stacked.

McDonald led the Warriors’ offense; he was perfect in his 2-for-2 performance with a pair of singles and two runs batted in. Not only did Jackson Hood toss 4.1 innings in his start for Arkansas, but he was also responsible for the Warriors third hit. Despite not registering a hit, Zachary Hill knocked in the Warriors’ third run and scored once as well.

Stacked will play its final game against Dulins Dodgers Prime while Arkansas Warriors will face Lamorinda Titans for its final contest, with both games at 1:45 p.m. on Fields 3 and 4 respectively. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

Quarterfinals Complete at 13U Champs NC

July 19, 2023

Day three of the 13U National Team Championships North Carolina began with the quarterfinal round, as four teams advanced to Thursday morning's semifinal. Catch up with all the action!

REED JOHNSON BASEBALL ACADEMY 10, SCOTTSDALE DIRTBAGS 0

Xavier Romero went 2-for-2 with two singles, two RBIs, and a walk to lead Reed Johnson Baseball Academy (3-1-0) to a 10-0 run rule victory over Scottsdale Dirtbags (3-1-0) in the quarterfinals of the 2023 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, RJBA collects its third victory of the week to advance to the semifinal round.

RJBA jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when a fielding error allowed Tyce Johnson to score from third. Two more runs went on the board for RJBA in the second when another error in the Scottsdale infield allowed two runners to score and establish a 3-0 lead. RJBA managed to plate five more runs in the third inning thanks to singles by Jayson Marquez and Romero, a fielding error, and a fielder’s choice bunt from Cole Chatelain. Another fielding error by Scottsdale and a bases-loaded walk made it 10-0 in favor of RJBA in the top of the fourth. Starting pitcher Julian Pardinas forced a quick three up, three down bottom of the fourth to secure the 10-0 run-rule win for RJBA.

Nathan Reyes hit a double and scored a run while Isaiah Bastardo contributed a single, two runs scored and a stolen base for the RJBA offense. Pardinas allowed just one hit through 4.0 innings of work. Adrian Sisco singled to record the lone hit of the morning for Scottsdale Dirtbags.

RJBA will begin semifinal play at 8:00 a.m. on Coleman Field tomorrow. Scottsdale returns to action tomorrow for consolation play at 8:00 a.m. on Field 3. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

ZT PROSPECTS NATIONAL 6, CANES WEST 13U 0

ZT Prospects National (4-0) put up six runs in the bottom of the fifth to beat Canes West 13U (1-2-1), 6-0, in quarterfinal action at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

An early pitcher’s duel led to a scoreless game entering the fifth, as starters Zachary Estrada (ZT) and Anthony Ramon (Canes) exchanged zeros early on. ZT broke it open in the fifth, scoring six runs—including three in the same at-bat—to pull away and win the contest.

The game’s first run came on a bunt single by Adam Omelas, which was followed by an RBI fielder’s choice by Angel Gonzalez. Jacob Gray then drew a bases-loaded walk to increase the lead to three, before ZT took advantage of wild pitching to plate a trio of runs with two outs. With Estrada at the plate, Aaron Garcia scored on a wild pitch, Gonzalez came home on a balk, and Gray scampered home on another wild pitch as ZT’s lead became 6-0. The ZT bullpen followed with two shutdown innings, retiring the side in order in the sixth and seventh to lock down the win.

Lennex Minor was solid at the plate for the quarterfinal winners, going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Garcia also posted a two-hit day and scored a run, reaching in all three plate appearances. The Canes were only able to muster three hits, coming from Caleb Lozano, Josiah Park, and Samuel Pink.

In addition to Estrada’s strong work on the mound, reliever Adriel Rivera turned in 3.1 innings of one-hit relief to earn the win. Pink suffered the loss for Canes.

ZT advances to the tournament semifinal round, where it will take on Reed Johnson Baseball Academy on Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. ET. Canes West falls into consolation play. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

SBA 13U NATIONAL TEAM 10, TOP TIER SELECT 1

Sebastian Quiles pitched 7.0 innings allowing only one run and striking out six to lead SBA 13U National Team (3-1) to a 10-1 triumph over Top Tier Select (3-1) in the quarterfinals of the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, SBA improves its record to 3-1 and advances to the semifinal round of the event.

SBA got off to an electric start as Luke Esquivel scored on a double to left field by Julian Martinez after reaching base on a single to put the team on the board in the top of the first.

Top Tier Select wouldn’t let that stand and struck back in the bottom of the first, driving in one run on a sacrifice fly by Spencer Schiff to even the score.

It was deja vu in the third as Martinez once again drove in Esquivel, this time on a line drive to center. Martinez then reached home on a passed ball, bringing SBA’s lead to 3-1.

Martinez solidified that he deserved to be game MVP in the top of the fourth inning when he delivered, singling on a hard-hit ground ball to left field with the bases loaded to drive in Pablo Martinez and Isaiah Cador and put the score at 5-1.

Following a rain delay in the bottom of the fourth, SBA quickly found its rhythm again in the top of the fifth, bringing in runs on a sacrifice fly by Cador and a single by Esquivel.

SBA kept the good vibes going in the top of the sixth, bringing its lead to 8-1 when Trendyn Motley scored on a line drive to left field by Caden Borcherding.

The team just kept going, crossing into a double digit run count in the top of the seventh as Hudson Simmons came home on a sacrifice fly by Troy Haynes and Quiles crossed the plate on a passed ball.

Martinez led the SBA offense with a 3-for-4 day with a double and four RBIs.

For Top Tier Select, Abram Decena was strong at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two hits and one run.

SBA will face USA Prime National 13U in semifinal play at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, on Field 2. Top Tier Select returns to action tomorrow for consolation play at 8:00 a.m. on Field 4 against Team Elite. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

USA PRIME NATIONAL 13U 8, TEAM ELITE 5

Colin Raymond tossed 6.0 innings and hit 3-for-4 to send his team to the semifinals and lead USA Prime National 13U (4-0) past Team Elite (2-2), 8-5, at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

After a hard ground ball down the left field line by Brennan New, Team Elite took an early 1-0 lead but was nullified after a bases-loaded hit by pitch in the bottom of the frame. Colton Dabkowski put his team ahead once again with a sacrifice fly to center while a wild pitch in the bottom half scored Simeon Johnson and evened things out at 2-2. Team Elite picked up the lead again, as a sacrifice fly off the bat of Malachi Butler gave his team a 3-2 lead in the fourth.

After a short rain delay, USA Prime took off running, plating six runs in the sixth; back-to-back singles started the rally and Jaaron Frye took advantage, punching a ball to left to plate a pair. An RBI single by Raymond scored the fifth run while a couple two-out base knocks by Reggie Marshall and Colt Ward handed USA Prime an 8-3 advantage. Hudson Roeser and Ian Haase each plated a run with two-outs on the board to keep Team Elite in the fight but was ultimately shut down by Griffin Tillery to send USA Prime National to the semifinals.

Raymond just about went the distance for USA Prime National, pitching 6.0 innings and surrendering four runs on four hits in addition to going 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. Frye also did damage at the plate, as he was 2-for-2 on the day with a pair of RBI and runs scored apiece. Joshua Messer also collected two hits and scored a run for USA Prime National in the process.

Roeser and Butler each tallied an RBI and a run scored for Team Elite, Roeser went 1-for-1 in his outing while New and Bobby Smithnosky each posted a 1-for-2 performance.

USA Prime National will face SBA 13U National Team in a semifinal matchup slated for 8:00 a.m. on Field 2 Thursday morning while Team Elite will play Top Tier Select at 8:00 a.m. on Field 4. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

FEATURE: RJ Farrell, USA Baseball Task Force Seek Out Talent at 13U Champs NC

USA Baseball Task Force compile 13U/14U ADP roster at 13U Champs NC

July 18, 2023

Not only are glory and gold medals on the line for players at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina, travel team members are also competing for a spot on the 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP) roster. The ADP is an event which invites 50 of the top 13-and-14-and-under

The ADP is an event which invites 50 of the top 13-and-14-and-under athletes to the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, for four days of on and off-field national team-level instruction and education.

The individuals entrusted with selecting who will receive an invitation to ADP are the USA Baseball Task Force.

The task force is composed of former Team USA coaching staff members and experienced collegiate and high school coaches. The group searches for the premiere talent at events such as the National Team Championships to invite to USA Baseball National Team Training Camps and development programs.

One member of the task force who is especially familiar with many players at the star-studded 13U National Team Championships North Carolina is 2022 12U National Team Manager RJ Farrell.

Farrell has been involved in USA Baseball for over a decade. He is a three-time 12U National Team manager, and also has experience with the National Team Identification Series (NTIS) and as a 12U National Team Training Camp coach.

Last summer, Farrell led Team USA to an undefeated record and gold medal at the 2022 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan, in his international managerial debut.

SAY WHAT’S UP TO THE WORLD CHAMPS!#ForGlory🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zO1b2YGPSm
— USA Baseball 12U (@USABaseball12U) August 7, 2022

Farrell had previously served as the 12U National Team manager in 2020 and 2021 but only participated in international competition in 2022. All national team events were suspended due to COVID-19 in his first year, and in 2021, Farrell led Team USA to a 3-0 record in an exhibition series in Texas.

“Any time USA Baseball calls me to ask me to do anything, it's a super honor,” Farrell said. “Being asked to manage one of the teams was incredible. Having the opportunity to actually see it through–because in my head it was a three year process–to actually get to do it, to go and compete in an amazing baseball country and represent our country, it was truly an amazing experience.”

It is now one year later, and many members of the 2022 12U National Team are now competing at the 13U age-level. Eleven of those teammates are playing at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, for the 13U National Team Championships this week.

“That’s one of the coolest things about being a part of the 12U program for so long,” Farrell explained. “Every year I come back, no matter what event I'm working, and I'm seeing these young men grow through their baseball careers. That's always a highlight of my summer.”

The 2022 12U National Team received its 2022 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup gold medal rings at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, on Monday, July 17, following the first day of the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Farrell is at the event serving as a member of the USA Baseball Task Force and looking for players to invite to ADP next month. The task force seeks players that not only have the skill to compete at the highest level but also the character to represent Team USA.

“Obviously, we're evaluating talent,” Farrell began. “Beyond that, we’re looking for intangibles. We want to see how the kids act. Not only when it's going well but when it's going bad. Being a part of the USA program is more than just being a good baseball player. It's being a well-rounded young man. That's really what we're looking for in terms of the character side, the mental toughness side. So we can evaluate and see if kids are ready for that next step.”

In some ways, selecting players for an event such as ADP differs from scouting for a national team. The ADP is a developmental program to prepare these young players to compete on Team USA in one to two years rather than a team competing in international competition within the next few months.

“When you're scouting for a national team, it's very much who's ready to go right now,” Farrell said. “Especially the closer you get to the team leaving. When we're looking for ADP, there can be a little bit more projection put into it, especially with the 13-year-olds. There's a lot of projection that goes into body type and movement patterns and what they're going to do.”

Each day of the tournament, the five members of the task force–led by Director of Player Development Jim Koerner–head to one of the four fields at the National Training Complex to evaluate each player and keep detailed notes on factors from barrel to baseball skill and speed to pitchability and presence on the mound.

The task force convenes each night following the last game of the day and goes through every player they watched, creating a board to keep track of their thoughts.

On the third day of the tournament, the task force sends out invitations to an invite-only player workout where they have an opportunity to more closely assess players they have identified as potential ADP attendees.

“There's a lot of late night conversations,” Farrell said. “Every player we see, we go through all their names. We end up putting a board together. That board then leads to our workout board. The workout then leads us to who the selections are going to be. But many times there are players that don't make the workout and we see something in them later and they actually have an opportunity or do get selected.”

At the end of the week, the task force makes its final selections and sends out invitations to the players they have decided to invite to ADP.

Although selection day can be disappointing for those who are not selected to the roster, Farrell encourages all players to stay motivated and continue to work hard on and off the field to better themselves as baseball players and people.

“The most difficult part of my job is by far selection day,” Farrell said. “There's no way around it. Some really, really good baseball players aren't being selected. I tell kids, you can always prove me wrong because none of this is an exact science. As a former recruiting coordinator I’ve turned in names that I shouldn’t have and I’ve kept names off lists that I probably should have had on. We just want these young men, if they love the game of baseball, to stay playing the game of baseball because the game is going to do amazing things for them.”

13U Champs NC Day Two Roundup

July 18, 2023

Day two of the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina took place at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, on Tuesday, July 18. Catch up on all the day two action ahead of quarterfinals tomorrow.

ZT PROSPECTS NATIONAL 8, TEAM ELITE 0

ZT Prospects (2-0) plated three runs in the first inning and never looked back as it defeated Team Elite (1-1), 8-0, in run-rule fashion to close out pool play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With runners at the corners and one out following a pair of outfield singles, Dru Wilson’s triple to right field plated the first two runs of the game. Wilson then came home on a wild pitch to make it 3-0.

ZT’s other five runs in the contest all came in the third inning. Angel Gonzalez stole home after leading off the inning with a single to make it 4-0, and then Zachary Estrada launched a three-run home run to left field to extend his team’s lead to 7-0. Following a double and single to put runners at the corners, Joshua Diaz’s run-scoring base hit to center field rounded out ZT’s scoring.

Gonzalez, Gray and Wilson all went 2-for-3 to pace ZT’s offense, while five other players tallied a base hit to contribute to the team’s 11 in the game. On the mound, Isaiah Nunez, Lennex Minor, and Aaron Garcia held Team Elite to two hits and combined for the shutout victory, with Minor earning the win after tossing 2.1 innings in relief.

ZT Prospects will next face AZ Runners Scout Team, while Team Elite will match up with Lamorinda Titans in the final round of pool play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina. Both games are slated for an 11 a.m. first pitch on Field 3 and 4, respectively. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

13U DIRTBAGS NATIONAL 8, STACKED BASEBALL 1

Trey Hayes hurled 5.0 dominant frames for 13U Dirtbags National (1-1) to lead his team past Stacked Baseball (0-1-1), 8-1, in the second round of pool play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Dirtbags National showed excellent two-out hitting in the third, as a 2-RBI single by Rylan Holley was added onto the next at-bat with a wild pitch, making it 3-0. Stacked also showed its two-out hitting capabilities, as a base hit by Enzo Recalde scored its lone run of the contest. In the fifth frame, Robert Mascia mashed an RBI double over the left fielder’s head to make it 4-1. Caden Scott continued the scoring for Dirtbags National, as his single up the middle scored a run while an RBI groundout by Lawson Tyndall made it 6-1. A wild pitch in the sixth scored Tyler Jackson for the seventh run, which was followed up by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ethan Stewart to make it 8-1.

Hayes went 5.0 innings strong for Dirtbags National, allowing a mere three hits and only one run to cross the plate. Holley racked up a pair of singles and RBIs apiece in his 2-for-2 performance while Stewart went 1-for-2 with a run knocked in and scored.

Aiden Vargas picked up two of Stacked’s five hits as he notched an extra-base hit and scored once. Recalde was responsible for the team’s lone RBI with his base hit, while Hurd went 1-for-2 and tallied a double in the seventh

Stacked and Dirtbags National will wrap up pool play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina at 10:45 a.m, as Dirtbags take on Canes West 13U on Coleman Field while Stacked plays Top Tier Select on Field 2 Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

AZ RUNNERS SCOUT TEAM 5, LAMORINDA TITANS 3

AZ Runners Scout Team (1-1) held off a late comeback attempt by Lamorinda Titans (0-2) to secure a 5-3 victory in the second round of pool play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Lamorinda struck first with a pair of runs in the second inning on an RBI groundout by Dylan McLemore and wild pitch with Connor Boese at third, but AZ Runners answered in the bottom frame with four runs to take a 4-2 lead. With the bases loaded following a pair of walks and error, Jacob Torres drove in the first run with a single to left field, and then an RBI single by Ryan Heskett and defensive miscue with the bases still loaded plated the other three runs of the frame.

AZ Runners tacked on an insurance run in the third inning when Ty Chambless drove in Ryder Sand on a base hit up the middle, extending his team’s lead to 5-3.

Lamorinda made it a two-run game in the fifth thanks to a bases-loaded walk, then managed to put a runner on the sixth in attempt to rally back, but fell short as back-to-back fly outs ended the threat.

Both teams tallied four hits apiece in the contest. AZ Runners’ Sand earned the win on the mound after surrendering an earned run in 1.2 innings, while Lamorinda’s Jack Carpenter was saddled with the loss after giving up four runs in the first inning.

AZ Runners Scout Team will next face ZT Prospects, while Lamorinda Titans will match up with Team Elite in the final round of pool play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina. Both games are slated for an 11 a.m. first pitch on Field 3 and 4, respectively. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

TOP TIER SELECT 6, CANES WEST 5

Dylan Crowe went 3-for-4 with three singles and an RBI to lead Top Tier Select (2-0) to a 6-5 victory over Canes West (0-1-1) in the second round of pool play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Top Tier plated the first run of the game in the top of the first thanks to a Nick Potter single to left field. Canes West responded in the bottom of the frame when a single by Josiah Park, a wild pitch, and a passed ball made it 3-1. Top Tier managed to tie the game in the second with an RBI single from Connor Whannel and a sacrifice fly by Abram Decena. After a scoreless third inning, Top Tier regained the lead in the fourth when a passed ball and a single from Decena plated two runs. Eli Martinez recorded a sac fly in the sixth to bring Canes West back within one, but Crowe extended the lead for Top Tier in the top of the seventh with a single to center. In the bottom of the seventh, Kingston Sinner scored on an RBI groundout by Nathan Reaney to narrow the lead, but Crowe forced a fly out to end the game and secure the 6-5 victory for Top Tier.

Kai Torre and Connor Whannel each went 2-for-3 with two base hits for Top Tier. Kasen Gilroy threw 3.1 innings for Top Tier and struck out four batters. Kingston Sinner led Canes West offensively, as he went 2-for-2 with two singles and a run scored. Park punched out five batters in 3.2 innings of work for Canes West.

Top Tier will next play Stacked Baseball at 10:45 a.m. on Field 2, while Canes West will move on to play Dirtbags National at 10:45 a.m. on Coleman Field. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

TOP TIER SELECT 4, STACKED 1

Three Top Tier Select (3-0) pitchers combined for 7.0 innings of three-hit ball to overcome Stacked (0-2-1), 4-1, and remain undefeated at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Top Tier Select brought across all of its runs in the second, as back-to-back RBI line-drive singles by Kasen Gilroy and Kai Torre plated a pair. Stacked halved the deficit in its half of the third off a groundout by Blake Barberena that scored Hudson Brown, who reached on a leadoff walk. Two critical insurance runs crossed the plate in the home half of the sixth; a pair of steals placed runners in scoring position and came around to score after Nick Potter hammered a one-out offering to make it 4-1.

Torre tossed the majority of the contest, going 4.0 innings strong while giving up only one run. Kameron Cox and Henry Burke pitched the back half of the game and shut out Stacked while allowing no hits. Potter was 1-for-2 on the day with a pair of RBIs and a run scored for Top Tier Select.

Grayson Thomas, Orlando Oates, and Jesse Lopez each collected a base hit and accounted for all of Stacked’s three hits. Will Necessary was saddled with the loss and threw for all 6.0 innings, only allowing three earned runs to score.

Top Tier Select will advance to the winner’s bracket where its first round matchup will be determined after the conclusion of pool play. Stacked will compete in the consolation bracket to be held Wednesday and Thursday. All games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

CANES WEST 3, DIRTBAGS NATIONAL 0

Caleb Lozano went 3-for-3 with three base hits and an RBI to lead Canes West (1-1-1) to a 3-0 victory over Dirtbags National (1-2-0) in pool play action at the 2023 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Canes West collects its first victory of pool play.

Canes West scored the first run of the game in the first inning when an error in the Dirtbags infield allowed a run to score from third. Caleb Lozano added another run to the board in the second for Canes with an RBI single into center field. Samuel Pink drew a bases loaded walk in the fourth inning that scored another run for Canes West and established a 3-0 lead. The game ended in the top of the seventh with three quick outs recorded by Canes pitcher Eli Martinez.

Martinez threw a complete game for Canes West, picking up five punch outs across 7.0 scoreless innings. Anthony Ramon turned in a 2-for-3 performance with two base hits and a run scored for the Canes offense. Rylan Holley went 2-for 3 with two singles and a stolen base for Dirtbags.

Each team will await seeding to find out its next opponent following the conclusion of bracket play on Tuesday. All games will be streamed live on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

ZT PROSPECTS NATIONAL 10, AZ RUNNERS SCOUT TEAM 2

ZT Prospects National (3-0) scored 10 unanswered runs to knock off AZ Runners Scout Team (1-2), 10-2, in pool play action on Tuesday at the 13U National Team Championships North Carolina.

The Runners immediately scored twice in the top of the first before ZT Prospects took over. Bentley Elrod and Ryder Sand tallied back-to-back RBI knocks to open the scoring and put Arizona in front by two. ZT responded in the bottom half and never looked back, starting when Aaron Garcia scored on a double play and Zachary Estrada followed with an RBI double.

ZT got back to work in the second to take the lead. Angel Gonzalez had an RBI groundout and another run was plated to make it 4-2, before ZT rattled off another three runs in the third. Estrada and Anthony Huaranga came home on a bunt and Adriel Rivera added an RBI single to make it 7-2 in favor of ZT.

The Prospects then added three in the bottom of the fifth to secure the run-rule victory. Garcia’s sacrifice fly plated Rivera to make it 8-2, followed by a bases-loaded walk and a Dru Wilson sacrifice fly to secure the win.

Estrada was 3-for-3 with an RBI in the victory to lead the ZT offense. The first five hitters in the ZT lineup tallied RBIs, and the team drew 15 total walks. Elrod and Sand had the only RBI hits for Arizona.

Wilson earned the win with 1.2 hitless relief innings. Ty Holmstead was credited with the loss after permitting four runs in an inning of work.

TEAM ELITE 8, LAMORINDA TITANS 5

Nicholas Machusko went 2-for-2 with a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored as Team Elite took down Lamorinda Titans, 8-5, in pool play at the 13U National Team Championships North Carolina.

Team Elite got right to work in the bottom of the first. Bobby Smithnosky drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in the first run and Hudson Burnett followed with a sacrifice fly to make it an immediate 2-0 lead.

But Lamorinda responded immediately in its half of the second to put three runs up and take the lead. After leading off the inning with a single, Dylan McLemore came home to score on a bases-loaded walk. After another walk with the bases juiced provided the tying run, Bryce Farris hit a ground ball that turned into an error to make it 3-2 in favor of the Titans.

The Titans’ lead didn’t last long, as Team Elite answered with three runs of its own to regain the lead. The first two runs of the frame come on Colin Anderson’s two-run double, which led to Breck Hemphill’s run-scoring triple to put Team Elite in front 5-3. That lead was extended to 8-3 in the fifth on two consecutive RBI hits by Machusko and Brennan New and a sacrifice fly by Colton Dabkowski. Lamorinda scored twice on a hit by Zane Worth, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit as Team Elite earned the 8-5 win.

In addition to Machusko’s two-hit day, Colin Anderson had a hit, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Hemphill and New added RBI hits for Team Elite. Lamorinda got a strong offensive showing from Worth, who was 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored.

Team Elite’s Anderson tossed 5.2 innings and allowed two hits and two runs in relief to earn the win. Bryce Farris suffered the loss, allowing two early runs, before Jacob Hinojosa pitched 5.2 innings out of the Titans’ bullpen.

USA PRIME 5, ARKANSAS WARRIORS 1

Colin Raymond went 2-for-3 with two RBIs to help lead USA Prime (3-0) to a 5-1 win over the Arkansas Warriors (0-3) on Tuesday afternoon at the 13U National Team Championships North Carolina.

The win helps USA Prime finish unbeaten in pool play.

Raymond’s big day started immediately in the bottom of the first. After an error put a runner on, Raymond drove in the opening run with a line-drive single to right field. Each team then exchanged zeros over the next couple of frames before USA Prime extended its lead to four in the third. Brandon Forrest reached on an error with one out in the inning, and Jake Welch followed by punching an RBI double into left to put USA Prime in front 2-0.

Raymond then kept the rally going in the bottom of the third with another RBI single, this one bringing home Welch. A sacrifice fly capped the three-run outburst, making it a 4-0 edge after three.

The Warriors chipped into their deficit in the top of the fourth on an RBI groundout by Hudson Roach, but USA Prime got the run back in the bottom of the fifth on an error. Arkansas put a runner on in the seventh in an attempt for a late rally, but a double play ended the threat and secured the win for USA Prime.

Welch collected a hit, run, and RBI in the leadoff spot for USA Prime. Along with Raymond’s two-RBI performance, Colin McGowan had the only other RBI for the victors. Arkansas got five hits from five different players, and Roach drove in the team’s only run.

Borrosco Gage was strong in his three innings on the mound, allowing three hits and no runs. Reggie Marshall and Wright Matt were also strong in relief in the win. Roach got the loss after permitting five runs (one earned) in four innings.

REED JOHNSON BASEBALL ACADEMY 10, PREMIER NATIONALS 3

Reed Johnson Baseball Academy (2-1) put up a four spot in the third inning and never took its foot of the gas in a 10-3 win over Premier National (1-2) on Tuesday at the 13U National Team Championships North Carolina.

Leading 1-0 entering the third thanks to a Luke Pearson first inning sac fly, Reed Johnson put up four runs in the third to pull away. The rally began when Tyce Johnson was hit by a pitch and came around to score on a single by Troy Sibolboro. The lead grew to five when Jayson Marquez delivered the biggest hit of the game, clearing the bases with a three-run double to make it 5-0.

Reed Johnson kept it going in the fourth, putting up another three runs. Johnson singled home the inning’s first run before back-to-back RBI groundouts extended the lead to 8-0. Premier attempted to mount a comeback in the bottom of the fourth, scoring on Anthony Frausto III’s RBI double and Keagan Fosdick’s RBI groundout.

After Reed Johnson added two more in the fifth, Premier mounted a rally in the sixth to nearly complete an improbable comeback. Brandon Pace drove in the first run of the rally with a sac fly and Hunter Heinrich singled in another. Parker Ross plated Premier’s sixth run with a double and two more came home on an error, but Reed Johnson held off the late push to secure the 10-8 win.

Four players in the Reed Johnson lineup notched two hits: Johnson, Marquez, Reyes, and Sibolboro. Johnson and Marquez each knocked in three runs, while Sibolboro also drove in a pair. For Premier, Jack Doss, Frausto III, and Ross led the offensive attack with two-hit days.

Sibolboro started on the mound for Reed Johnson and tossed two shutout innings to earn the victory. Keegan Cardona suffered the loss, getting tagged for seven runs in three innings of work.

CALI NATIONAL BASEBALL ACADEMY 9, DULINS DODGERS PRIME 8

Richard Rodriguez played hero for Cali National Baseball Academy (1-2) with a walk-off shot in a five-run comeback to beat Dulins Dodgers Prime (0-3), 9-8, at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Both teams saw action in the first, as back-to-back bases-loaded walks handed Dulins Dodgers an early 2-0 lead. Cali National halved the Dodger lead in its half of the first after a pair of errors prolonged the frame and allowed Juan Sandoval to score on a wild pitch. Cali National knotted the game up in the second, as another error plated Anthony Tong for the team’s second run. Runs filled the scoreboard from then on; an RBI double by the Dodgers’ Michael Morris and a groundout by Cali’s Dane Thornton made it a 3-3 contest after three. Dulins Dodgers then jumped to a commanding 8-3 lead in the fourth after Cooper Cheak, Cason Howard, and Zimmer Offolter each tallied RBIs to put the Dodgers up by four while a wild pitch scored the eighth run.

Cali National stayed in the fight, however, as Rodriguez took advantage of back-to-back walks and plated a run to make it 8-4 in the fifth. A single by Sam Wagner and a clutch two-out drive by Sandoval tied the game at 8-8. Rodriguez’s late-game heroics won the game for Cali National in the sixth, as his RBI base hit to shallow right scored the winning run.

Not only was Rodriguez responsible for half of his team’s runs in his 2-for-3 outing which was highlighted by a pair of RBIs in addition to a run scored, but he kept the Dodgers at bay, tossing 2.2 shutout innings without allowing a hit. Sandoval also notched two RBIs with a base hit on the day while Wagner went 1-for-1 and collected the team’s fourth hit.

Jax Watkins, Cheak, and Howard each tallied two-hit performances for Dulins Dodgers, Howard scored twice and drove in a run as well. Morris and Offolter each plated a pair with a base hit for the Dodgers.

Both teams will continue to compete in the consolation bracket the following two days. All games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

SCOTTSDALE DIRTBAGS 6, SBA NATIONAL 5

Ethan LeBreton went 2-for-2 with two singles and a run scored to lead Scottsdale Dirtbags to a 6-5 victory over SBA National in the final round of pool play at the 2023 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Scottsdale Dirtbags remains undefeated at the event heading into bracket play.

Scottsdale jumped out to an early lead in the first inning thanks to a three-run double by Logan Pascarella. Ben Jacobus followed up with an RBI groundout that made it 4-0 in favor of Dirtbags. Julian Martinez got SBA on the board with a double that scored two runs in the bottom of the first. Jarod Flowers followed up with an RBI groundout that added a third run and made it 4-3. After a scoreless second, SBA tied the game in the bottom of the third when an error in the Dirtbags infield allowed a run to score. Scottsdale wasted no time retaking the lead as a Jacobus triple and a single by Chase Gockenbach made it 6-4 in the top of the fourth. A bases loaded hit batter scored another run for SBA National in the sixth, but the game ended 6-5 due to the two hour and 15 minute time limit.

Samuel Garcia and Joel Vargas recorded base hits for Scottsdale. Vargas also provided 2.0 relief innings with five strikeouts. Hudson Simmons picked up a double and threw 5.0 innings with three strikeouts for SBA National.

Both teams will await seeding to find out its next opponent at the conclusion of pool play on Tuesday. All games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

Q&A: 12U National Team Star Jonah Saken Shines at 13U Champs NC

Team USA alumnus Jonah Saken talks Team USA experience, first day of the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina

July 17, 2023

The second-annual 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina was filled with talent from the likes of Team USA alumni to skilled hopefuls looking to earn an invitation to the 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP) in August. One such accomplished young player that made the trip to the National Training

One such accomplished young player that made the trip to the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, is Jonah Saken, a utility player on AZ Runners Scout Team.

Saken was a member of the 12U National Team which won gold at the 2022 WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan last year.

As a member of Team USA, Saken started all eight games in the outfield and collected a .455 average, amassing 10 hits, 6 RBIs, and a home run and helping to lead the team to gold.

LEADOFF BLAST 🚀

Jonah Saken lines one over the left field wall and we're in business early.#ForGlory🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/kTHd7srBLg
— USA Baseball 12U (@USABaseball12U) August 6, 2022

At the conclusion of the tournament, the Brentwood, Tennessee, native was named to the All-World Team as an outfielder and recognized as a vital part of Team USA’s success.

The trend of outstanding offense continued for the 13-year-old on the first day of the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina, where he went 2-for-3 with a double and a stolen base as the leadoff hitter for AZ Runners Scout.

Although the team ultimately fell to Team Elite, 3-2, after a walkoff in the seventh inning, Saken has high hopes for the rest of the tournament.

Following the game, Saken spoke to USA Baseball about his experience traveling to Taiwan as a member of the 2022 12U National Team and day one of the 13U National Team Championships:

Q: You were 2-for-3 with a double today. What do you think of your performance today and what’s been working for you at the plate?

A: “I thought my performance was pretty good but the outcome wasn’t in our favor so we have to get back to work tomorrow. What’s been working for me at the plate is just sticking with my approach, sitting on the fastball and adjusting the offspeed.”

Q: You’re a very strong offensive player. What do you focus on when developing your swing and strategy at the plate?

A: “I focus on using my body and my legs more. My coach works with us on hinging our hips and getting our bodies ready for attack. When a new pitcher comes on the mound, I make sure I’m ready to hit and see his fastball. I don’t focus on his offspeed unless it's two strikes, then I’ll swing at it.”

Q: You were a member of the 2022 12U National Team which won gold at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan. What was that experience like for you?

A: “It was awesome being in Taiwan and playing with my teammates, some of the best kids in the country. We had a blast there. We went to battle against other countries. It was really nice playing for Team USA and representing our country.”

Q: What did it mean to you to be selected as a member of Team USA?

A: “It meant the world to me. When I got selected I was balling. I was so happy. I was on top of the world. Representing our country means the world to me and playing baseball for our country means the world to me.”

Q: What did you think of the team’s performance today?

A: “I thought we played pretty well, I just feel like at the plate we were guessing what pitch it was going to be instead of preparing our bodies for attack and seeing the ball.”

Q: Although it’s still early in the tournament, what do you think of your chances moving forward?

A: “I think our chances are great. We just have to keep playing, hitting the ball, playing good defense, pitching, and our team is all for that.”

Q: What are your goals for the tournament?

A: “My goal for the tournament is to get better and play better competition, but my overall goal is to be selected for ADP and, hopefully when I’m 14 or 15, get selected to the 15U National Team. That’s my dream.”

13U Champs NC Day One Roundup

July 17, 2023

The 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina began on Monday, July 17, at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. Catch up with all the day one action as it unfolds!

SBA 11, DULINS DODGERS PRIME 2

SBA (1-0) scored at least one run in every inning and tossed a combined no-hitter to defeat Dulins Dodgers Prime (0-1), 11-2, in the opening round of play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.SBA jumped out to an early lead with the first run scoring from Isaiah Cador, who came around on a wild pitch after getting aboard from a hit-by-pitch. The second run scored on Dariel Carrion’s sacrifice bunt to drive in Julian Martinez, who walked earlier in the inning.

In the top of the second, SBA tacked on three more to take a 5-0 lead. Adrian Villela worked his way on with a walk, and a single from Jarod Flowers put runners at the corners. The run scored on a perfect squeeze bunt Hudson Simmons. The second run of the inning came on an RBI groundout by Cador to score Flowers, then Simmons was able to steal home for the final run of the frame.

SBA continued to tack on runs in the top of the third, beginning with a perfect bunt single from Simmons with the bases loaded to score the sixth run of the ball game. The seventh followed on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Cador. The eight-run mark came in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly to center from pinch hitter Brendan Blankenship to score Luke Esquivel, who reached on an error.

In the top of the fifth, SBA added a ninth run on a double steal, with Madden Pike stealing second and Caden Borcherding simultaneously swiping home. Two more runs came for SBA on an error and a single for Esquivel.

SBA starter Pablo Martinez threw 2.2 hitless innings with three strikeouts, while the combination of Troy Haynes, Hudson Simmons, and Jarod Flowers all played their role in the no-hit victory. Esquivel led SBA’s offense, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Dodgers pitcher Ben Stultz took the loss after giving up eight runs on five hits in 3.2 innings.

SBA will play its second game of pool play against Cali National Baseball Academy while Dulins Dodgers will face Scottsdale Dirtbags for its second game. Both games are set for 11:30 a.m. on Fields 3 and 4, respectively. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

USA PRIME NATIONAL 13U 3, REED JOHNSON BASEBALL ACADEMY 1

USA Prime National 13U (1-0) scored three late unanswered runs en route to opening play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina with a 3-1 comeback win over Reed Johnson Baseball Academy (0-1).

Despite Reed Johnson plating a run in the first inning on Troy Sibolboro’s sacrifice fly, USA Prime National knotted the score at 1-1 in the fifth thanks to a sacrifice fly by Colin Raymond. USA Prime plated what proved to be the game-winning runs on Joshua Messer’s two-RBI double after a leadoff single and error put runners at first and second with two outs.

Six different players from Reed Johnson tallied a hit, while USA Prime’s Reggie Marshall turned in the only multi-hit outing of the game with a 2-for-3 performance. Messer led all players with his two RBIs which propelled his team to victory. USA Prime’s Raymond earned the win on the mound after tossing 2.1 shutout innings to close out the game, while Reed Johnson’s Xavier Romero was saddled with the loss after surrendering two unearned runs in the sixth.

Reed Johnson Baseball Academy will next face Arkansas Warriors, while USA Prime National will match up with Premier National for the second round of pool play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina. The games are set for 11:15 a.m. on Field 2 and Coleman Field, respectively. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

SCOTTSDALE DIRTBAGS 7, CALI NATIONAL BASEBALL ACADEMY 4

Brody Costantine went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs to lead Scottsdale Dirtbags (1-0) to a 7-4 victory over Cali National Baseball Academy (0-1) in the opening round of pool play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Scottsdale Dirtbags begins the 13U National Team Championships with an undefeated record heading into the second game of pool play.

Scottsdale put the first runs of the day on the board in the first inning when Costantine hit a double to left field that scored two runs. A wild pitch allowed another run to score and established an early 3-0 lead. An error plated a fourth run in the second for Scottsdale before Cali National scored two runs of its own in the bottom of the inning on a fielding error and a sac fly by Xavier Guerrero. Scottsdale’s offense continued to produce in the fourth when a passed ball, RBI groundout, and single from Guerrero extended the lead to 7-2. Cali National responded in the bottom of the frame with two runs off a Christian De La O single and a pickoff attempt that allowed Pietro Rose to swipe home and make it 7-4. Samuel Garcia punched out two batters to end the game after the sixth inning due to the 2:15 time limit.

Hudson Hempel threw 2.0 hitless innings for Cali National and struck out two batters. Garcia tossed 3.0 relief innings for Scottsdale and struck out four batters, allowing no runs and just one hit. Mason Smith went 1-for-1 with a base hit, RBI and two stolen bases to help lead the Scottsdale offense. Dane Thornton led Cali National offensively with a 2-for-3 performance with two base hits and a stolen base.

Scottsdale Dirtbags will next match up against Dulins Dodgers Prime while Cali National will take on SBA National in the second round of pool play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina. First pitch is set for 11:30 a.m. on Fields 3 and 4, respectively. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

PREMIER NATIONAL 9, ARKANSAS WARRIORS 1

Premier National (1-0) posted nine runs in the fourth to run-rule Arkansas Warriors (0-1) in an emphatic 9-1 victory in its opening game of pool play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Arkansas Warriors leaped to a 1-0 lead in the second frame, as its small-ball approach paid off after a sacrifice bunt followed by a pair of walks scored the leadoff man, Emmett Robinson. Despite being no-hit through the first three innings, Premier National put up a lopsided number in the fourth, as RBI singles by Easton Brunson and Anthony Frausto III started the scoring and handed the away team a 2-1 advantage. Defensive miscues and wild pitching followed as three more runs added to Premier National’s total, making it 5-1. Excellent two-out hitting by Jace McPherson and Asher Chapa blew the contest wide open, as their double and single, respectively, plated a combined four more runs.

McPherson collected two RBIs and two runs scored with an extra-base hit in his 1-for-1 outing. Chapa also gathered two RBIs as he was 1-for-3 on the day for Premier National. Jack Doss was effective in relief, as he allowed only three hits and tossed 2.0 shutout innings, thus earning the win. Reid Felder led Arkansas Warriors in hits thanks to a 2-for-3 performance with a pair of singles. Robinson notched a base hit in two at-bats and scored the lone run for the Warriors.

Premier National will next take on USA Prime National 13U while Arkansas Warriors will face off against Reed Johnson Baseball Academy in the second round of the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina. Both games are slated for an 11:15 a.m. start on Coleman Field and FIeld 2, respectively. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

SCOTTSDALE DIRTBAGS 10, DULINS DODGERS PRIME 0

Brody Costantine went 2-for-2 with a single, triple, and a run scored to lead Scottsdale Dirtbags (2-0-0) to a 10-0 run rule victory over Dulins Dodgers Prime (0-2-0) in the second game of pool play at the 2023 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Scottsdale Dirtbags remains undefeated at the event heading into the second day of pool play.

Scottsdale kicked off the scoring with four runs in the second inning coming on RBI singles from Justin Tieman and Chase Gockenbach. Three more runs went on the board for Scottsdale in the bottom of the third thanks to a single by Logan Pascarella, a double from Briggs Rooney, and a Ethan LeBreton RBI groundout. A fielder’s choice and a single by Adrian Sisco plated three more runs for Scottsdale and ended the game in the fourth due to the run rule.

Sisco went 2-for-3 with two singles, two RBIs, and a run scored for Scottsdale. Dirtbags starter Tieman threw all 4.0 scoreless innings and struck out four batters. Cason Howard led the Dulins Dodgers offense with a single and a double.

Scottsdale Dirtbags will next square off against SBA National tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. on Coleman Field. Dulins Dodgers Prime’s next contest comes tomorrow against Cali National Baseball Academy at 1:30 p.m. on Field 2. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

SBA 4, CALI NATIONAL BASEBALL ACADEMY 2

SBA National (2-0) used a three-run third inning to take down Cali National Baseball Academy (0-2) in the second round of pool play games at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina. With the win, SBA remains undefeated going into its last pool play game on Tuesday.

The opening run of the ball game did not score until the bottom of the third, when Dariel Carron’s single fell in right field with enough time for Julian Martinez to make it to third from first. When Martinez broke for home, an overthrow error from the third baseman allowed the run to cross.

In the top of the fifth, Cali National loaded the bases on walks and a fourth walk pushed the tying run across the plate. SBA responded in the bottom of the fifth coming on back-to-back doubles from Isaiah Cador and Luke Esquivel to break the tie. The run support continued when Julian Martinez dodged the tag and stole home. On Trendyn Motley’s grounder to grounder to first, another run came across to cap off the three run frame.

In the top of the seventh, Cali National scored one run on a RBI single from Christian De La O, but SBA hung on to take the victory.

Cador led SBA, going 2-for-3 with one run scored while the only other hits came from Esquivel and Carrion. SBA used four pitchers, but starter Brendan Blankenship took the bulk of the innings going 3.0 hitless frames with three strikeouts. The three hits for Cali National came from Anthony Sanchez, Ethan Imamura, and De La O.

SBA will play its last game of pool play against Scottsdale Dirtbags while Cali National Baseball Academy will face Dulins Dodgers Prime for its third game. Both games are set for 1:30 p.m. on Coleman Field and Field 2, respectively. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

USA PRIME NATIONAL 13U 9, PREMIER-NATIONAL 3

USA Prime National 13u (1-1) scores eight two-out runs in the seventh in an improbable comeback to defeat Premier-National (1-1) 9-3 in round two of Pool Play at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Premier-National altered the zeroes in the hit column first; four consecutive singles in the third were highlighted by Asher Chapa and Easton Brunson driving in runs and being responsible for a 3-0 lead. USA Prime National put up its first hit and notched a run in the fourth frame, as Colt Ward trimmed the deficit by driving in Reggie Marshall who was hit by a pitch then stole second. Jake Welch delivered the game-altering two-out base hit in the seventh as he drove in runners from second and third to keep his team in the fight. Back-to-back bases-loaded walks handed USA Prime an unprecedented two run lead while Colin Raymond shot a two-RBI dagger to right field, making it 7-3. Runs kept piling on, all with two outs, as a throwing error scored the seventh run and a double down the left field line by Dawson Fowler cemented a 9-3 lead.

Welch, Ward, and Raymond each collected two RBIs and a run scored for USA Prime National, while Fowler scored a run and knocked one in as he was 2-for-3 on the day. Not only was Welch clutch at the plate by driving in the tying run, but he tossed 2.0 scoreless frames and closed out the contest to earn the win.

Seven Premier-National players recorded a hit but Brunson led Premier-National at the plate with a pair of base knocks and one run batted in. Chapa recorded one hit in one at bat while driving in a run and scoring once. Brandon Pace offered a quality start on the mound for Premier-National, as he went 2.1 clean innings while striking out three and conceding no runs.

Premier National plays its final Pool Play contest against Reed Johnson Baseball Academy at 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon while USA Prime National 13U wraps up pool play in a matchup against Arkansas Warriors at 1:45 p.m. on Field 4. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

REED JOHNSON BASEBALL ACADEMY 5, ARKANSAS WARRIORS 1

Reed Johnson Baseball Academy (1-1) scored twice in the first inning and never looked back en route to a 5-1 win over the Arkansas Warriors (0-2) on the first day of the 13U National Team Championships North Carolina in Cary.

Reed Johnson’s first run of the game came on a sacrifice fly in the opening frame before Luke Pearson doubled home Xavier Romero to make it an early 2-0 lead. After pitching dominated the next few innings, Arkansas’ Kingston Adams roped a double to center to bring home Jackson McDonald and cut the deficit in half.

Reed Johnson’s lead extended back to two in the bottom of the fourth, when Tyce Johnson came home on an RBI groundout by Pearson to make it a 3-1 advantage. Johnson was back in the middle of things in the bottom of the fifth as he singled home two insurance runs, putting Reed Johnson in front 5-1, a lead that they would hold onto to win.

Johnson led the victors in the top of the lineup, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBIs, and a walk. Isaiah Bastardo and Pearson had two hits each for Reed Johnson, as Pearson tallied two RBIs. Emmett Robinson had the only multi-hit game for the Warriors, going 2-for-3.

Noah Knudson, Bastardo, and Evan Putt combined to hold Araknsas to one run in the victory. Bastardo did the bulk of the work on the mound, turning in four innings and allowing one run. Robinson allowed three runs in four innings for Arkansas in the defeat.

Both teams return to action on Tuesday, as Reed Johnson Baseball Academy will meet Premier National on Field 3 at 1:45 p.m. and Arkansas will battle USA Prime at 1:45 p.m. on Field 4. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

TOP TIER SELECT 3, DIRTBAGS NATIONAL 2

Connor Whannel went 2-for-2 with two singles and a stolen base to help lead Top Tier Select (1-0) to a 3-2 victory over Dirtbags National (0-1) on the opening day of play at the 2023 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Top Tier Select begins pool play with an undefeated record.

After two quick innings to start the game, Top Tier took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third thanks to an RBI double by Abram Decena. Two more scoreless innings followed before a throwing error in the Top Tier infield allowed the tying run to cross the plate and establish a 1-1 score. Top Tier responded quickly, retaking the lead with a Carver Cruse single and adding an insurance run with a sac fly to center by Kasen Gilroy that made it 3-1. Trent Sparks brought Dirtbags back within one in the top of the seventh with an RBI single, but Top Tier reliever Darret Branson struck out the final batter of the game to secure the 3-2 victory for Top Tier Select.

Nick Potter threw 6.2 innings for Top Tier, striking out three batters while allowing two runs on just three hits. Ethan Stewart struck out four batters in four innings of work on the mound for Dirtbags National. Dylan Crowe supplied a base hit, run scored, and a walk for the Top Tier offense, while Lawson Tyndall, Ethan Stewart, and Tyler Jackson all recorded singles for Dirtbags.

Dirtbags National moves on to face Stacked tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. ET on Field 2. Top Tier Select will square off against Canes West on Coleman Field at 8:00 a.m. ET. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

ZT PROSPECTS NATIONAL 11, LAMORINDA TITANS 0

Three ZT Prospects Nationals’ (1-0) pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts in an 11-0 shutout over Lamorinda Titans (0-1) for a first game victory at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

ZT Prospects took advantage of a two-out error in the first frame, as a throwing error allowed Dru Wilson to reach base and Jacob Gray to score. ZT Prospects put up another one run in the third after Angel Gonzalez grounded out to second but plated a run in the process. ZT ramped up the offense the inning after; Joshua Diaz recorded a sacrifice fly to drive in Zachary Estrada, who reached on a leadoff double to left field. RBI singles by Adam Omelas and Jacob Gray were added on to by an RBI groundout from Aaron Garcia to give ZT Prospects a 6-0 lead. Runs continued to stream in after back-to-back base hits in the sixth by Garcia and Gonzalez plated the ninth run while a pair of wild pitches made it an 11-0 affair.

Anthony Huaranga led the shutout and earned the win by punching out five batters over 3.1 scoreless frames. Omelas did not falter at the plate for ZT Prospects, as he went 3-for-3 while collecting an RBI and a run scored. Gray also picked up an RBI and a run apiece and posted a 2-for-3 performance.

Jacob Hinojosa and Connor Boese each went 1-for-2 to collect Lamorinda’s only hits of the day.

ZT Prospects plays its second round of pool play against Team Elite while Lamorinda Titans will face off against AZ Runners Scout Team. Both games are set for an 8:00 a.m. ET start time on Field 3 and Field 4, respectively, and will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

TEAM ELITE 3, AZ RUNNERS SCOUT TEAM 2

Brennan New smoked a walk-off single to plate the winning run in a 3-2 victory over AZ Runners Scout Team on the National Team Championships North Carolina’s opening day on Monday.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, New walloped a line drive into left field to bring home Camden Shirley with the walk-off run.

It was a back-and-forth affair all game long, starting when the teams exchanged runs in the opening inning. Jonah Saken led off the game with a double before advancing to third on a ground out and coming around to score on Ty Chambless’ RBI groundout to short. Team Elite responded in the bottom of the frame on a two-out, run-scoring double by New to knot the game at one.

The Runners took the lead back in the third, with Saken in the middle of the scoring yet again. He hit a one-out single and later scored on an RBI infield knock by Christopher Escarcega, putting Arizona in front 2-1. But as it did in the opening inning, Team Elite answered in the fourth to even the score. Braylon Edwards hit a two-out double, bringing home Zach Koons to make it a 2-2 ballgame.

Team Elite used a single sandwiched between a pair of walks to load the bases in the seventh to set the stage for New’s walk off. New took the first pitch he saw before smoking the walk-off liner to left to secure the win.

New went 3-for-4 in the win to lead both teams on offense. Nicholas Machusko added a 2-for-3 day with a walk, and Edwards also added a hit and RBI. For Arizona, Saken had a two-hit, two-run day and Escarcega added a hit and RBI.

On the mound, New started for Team Elite and tossed four innings while allowing two runs. Koons was solid in relief for the victors, pitching 2.2 innings and permitting just one hit.

Both teams will be back in action on Tuesday, as AZ Runners Scout Team will take on Lamorinda Titans on Field 4 at 8:00 a.m. ET. Team Elite will meet ZT Prospects National, also at 8:00 a.m. on Field 3. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

CANES WEST 13U 4, STACKED 4

Canes West (0-0-1) and Stacked (0-0-1) tied 4-4 both teams' first appearance at the 13U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Anthony Ramon scored the first run of the ball game after walking to reach base and working his way to third before crossing the plate on a balk. Three walks loaded the bases and the fourth forced another to make it 2-0. Canes then scored its third run on an error by the shortstop that brought in Josiah Park, and the lead became 4-0 on a bloop single from Brody Vizenor to plate the fourth run of the opening frame.

In the bottom of the second Logan Sanders sent a hard ground ball down the third base line and an error, sending the ball to the wall, allowed two runs to score. Stacked then tied it up in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two on Aiden Vargas’ single to center. But the game ended in a draw after two more scoreless innings for each side.

Vizenor led the game for Canes going 2-for-3 with an RBI while the only other hits came from Caleb Lozano and Samuel Pink. For Stacked, Sanders, Vargas, Jrue Hurd, and Cameron Walters picked up knocks at the plate.

Canes West 13U will play its second game of pool play against Top Tier Select while Stacked will face 13U Dirtbags National for its second game. Both games are set for 8:00 a.m. on Coleman Field and Field 2, respectively. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

Canes National 15U Brings Home The Gold In A 9-3 Victory Over Alpha Prime 2026

July 16, 2023

CARY, N.C. – The Canes registered 13 hits on the day and Andrew Costello finished 2-for-3 with five RBIs in a 9-3 victory over Alpha Prime to win the gold at the 15U 2023 National Team Championships in North Carolina. With the win, the Canes finished 5-1 in the tournament

CARY, N.C. – The Canes registered 13 hits on the day and Andrew Costello finished 2-for-3 with five RBIs in a 9-3 victory over Alpha Prime to win the gold at the 15U 2023 National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, the Canes finished 5-1 in the tournament to bring home the hardware at the 15U National Team Championships. It is the second gold medal of the summer for Canes, who also claimed the title at the 17U event earlier this summer.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Canes managed to get two on the board early in the first. Grady Emerson homered to deep right and Brady Murrietta picked up an RBI single to score Costello, making it a quick 2-0 edge for the Canes.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, Alpha Prime cut the lead in half with a sacrifice fly from Josiah Morris to score Dillon Moss.
The Canes plated a run in the third as Alex Harrington tagged up on a sacrifice fly from Costello to score.
PRD responded again in the bottom of the third as Morris singled on a line drive down the middle to bring home Moss and put the score at 3-2.
A walk and back-to-back singles loaded the bases for Costello to hit into a fielder’s choice and allow Brady Abate to score as the Canes’ lead became 4-2.
The Canes pulled away in the seventh as Costello knocked one deep into right field to pick up a three-run RBI standing triple. Two more runs would score off an RBI single from Haire and a balk by the Alpha Prime pitcher to make it a 9-2 ball game.
Sammy Kane led off the bottom of the seventh with a triple as he sent one deep into center for PRD. Austin Finegan then grounded out to second to score Kane but that was all they mustered as they ultimately fell short to the Canes 9-3.

NOTABLE STATS

Murrieta was a standout in the Canes’ lineup, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and a walk.
Harrington was also stout at the plate, posting a 3-for-4 day with two doubles and scored twice.
Emerson finished the game 2-for-3 with an RBI and a 432-foot home run in the first inning.
Ty Mobely started on the mound for the Canes, pitching four innings with one strikeout and walking zero batters.
Moss led the Alpha Prime offense with a 4-for-4 day with four singles and a run.
Morris went 1-for-2 with two RBIs that put Alpha Prime on the board in the first and third inning.
The Alpha Prime offense finished the game with 11 hits.

Canes National’s gold medal victory concludes the action at the 2023 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

15U Champs NC Day Four Consolation Roundup

July 16, 2023

TOP TIER SELECT 4, DIRTBAGS NATIONAL 15U 3

Dylan Bowen socked a triple and tossed a shutout inning to earn the save for Top Tier Select (3-2) in its 4-3 win over Dirtbags National 15U (0-3-2) at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

After smoking a 2-0 pitch into left center field, Bowen landed on third for a leadoff triple in the bottom of the first. Ethan Bass promptly followed with a sacrifice fly to right, handing Top Tier Select an early 1-0 lead. Logan D’Amico followed up for Dirtbags National in the second frame, as he swung at the first pitch he saw for a leadoff double. Nate Stoots collected the Dirtbags’ fourth hit with an RBI single to left, driving in D’Amico. Top Tier plated a pair in its half of the second, as Cooper Riley notched an RBI base hit while the second run scored as the result of a bases-loaded walk. Top Tier produced another run in the fourth when back-to-back hit by pitches were taken advantage of by Callaghan O’Connor with an RBI shot to dead center. Dirtbags National closed the gap in the sixth, as Kellen Smith launched a deep fly ball to right for a two-run ground rule double.

Brett Biondich led Top Tier in hits, as he went 2-for-3 with a single and a double apiece, he scored a run as well. Riley delivered a 1-for-2 performance with one RBI and one run scored for Top Tier. Bowen gathered a triple in his one hit of the day and tossed 1.0 inning of one-hit ball to earn the save.

Hits were spread across the board for Dirtbags National. Smith led the team in RBIs, however, as he knocked in two runs with an extra-base hit. Anthony Zezza went 1-for-2 with a double while Stoots went 1-for-3 and drove in the other Dirtbags run. James Gibson had a quality performance on the mound, as he tossed 2.0 innings of two-hit ball and struck out a pair while conceding no runs.

Top Tier Select concludes the National Team Championships one game above .500 while Dirtbags National 15U finishes with a 0-3-2 record.

PADRES SCOUT TEAM 15U 7, 2026 TEXAS TWELVE RED SOX 2

Padres Scout Team (4-1) used consistent scoring and timely hitting to defeat Texas Twelve Red Sox (3-2), 4-2, to close out play at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.Padres jumped out to an early lead in the first when Nathaniel Davis singled to lead off the inning and later scored on a wild pitch. Justice Delon’s single scored Jacob Lombard to make the deficit two after the first. In the second, Padres picked up one more when Kevin Bruno’s sacrifice fly scored Justin Munoz, making the score 4-1.

Texas Twelve responded in the third, earning its first run on a double from Davidko Rodriguez. Padres came back once again coming on an infield sacrifice fly from Jacob Lombard to score Davis who tripled to reach base.

Davis went 2-for-3 with two runs scored while Lombard, Dejong, Matos, and Bruno all posted RBIs. The Padres staff combined for 10 strikeouts while only allowing four hits and no earned runs. For Texas Twelve, its two extra-base hits came from Daylen Foor and Rodriguez.

Texas Twelve made it a two run game when Foor scored on a passed ball after doubling to reach base. In the sixth, Jonathan Matos homered over the left field wall to give the Padres another insurance run. The runs did not stop there as Jobe Fish, Elijah Williams, and Joshua Cardoso all singled in the inning to add two more to the tally.

POWER BASEBALL 2026 MARUCCI 6, MBA 2026 SCOUT TEAM 4

Ethan Rathmann went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a double to lead Power Baseball 2026 Marucci (3-2) to a 6-4 victory over MBA 2026 Scout Team (3-2) to conclude play at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the bases loaded in the second, Danny Garcia was walked in to put Power Baseball on the board. Maddux Bultema then singled into right to score Tyler Kenast and extend its lead 2-0. MBA responded in the bottom frame and capitalized on three consecutive walks to plate two runs and even the score at 2-2. Brody Kraft drew the leadoff single for Marucci, then with two men on Ethan Rathmann drove one into center to score Kraft and begin a four-run third. Two more Power Baseball runners crossed home plate on sacrifice flies to extend the MBA lead to 6-2. MBA’s Brady Harris tagged up on a sacrifice fly from Tyler Ellis to put the score at 6-3 heading into the fourth, and then Luke Labbe was walked in with bases loaded in the fourth to make it a two-run game.

Bultema reached base twice, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two stolen bases. Kraft was another standout in the lineup, going 2-for-4 with two singles and a run. Rathmann also appeared on the mound today, pitching one inning to strike out the side. Power Baseball’s pitching staff had a combined nine strikeouts and only gave up three hits. Labbe crossed home twice for MBA, finishing the day 1-for-2 with a walk.

USA PRIME NATIONAL 15U 7, LEGACY BASEBALL GROUP 15U BLACK 3

USA Prime National (3-2) registered nine hits on the day and Rookie Shepard went 2-for-4 with two runs in a 7-3 victory over Legacy Baseball Group 15U Black (1-3-1) to wrap up consolation play at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Legacy Baseball brought in all three of its runs in the first inning, with James Tronstein scoring on an error by the pitcher and Isaiah Hearn and Eric Zdunek scoring on a line drive single to left field by Hamilton Friedberg.

After that it was all USA Prime. The team first got on the board in the top of second when Noah Weiss scored on an RBI by James Jorgensen. Then, in the top of the third, Rookie Shepard scored on a balk by the pitcher.

USA Prime took the lead in the fifth inning thanks to Shepard crossing the plate on a walk and Beau Peterson reaching home on a passed ball to bring the score to 4-3.

Legacy Baseball was not able to come back in the remaining innings and USA Prime topped off its lead in the top of the seventh, bringing in three more runs. CJ Sampson scored on a walk, Peterson crossed home on an error by the second baseman, and Colten Springall drove in the final run on a line drive single to right field to conclude the game with a score of 7-3.

Shepard and Springall were both 2-for-4 at the plate on the day. Shepard had two hits and Springall had one RBI. For Legacy Baseball, Friedberg finished the game 1-for-2 with two RBIs. Three USA Prime pitchers, Beau Peterson, Grady Saunders and Sampson, combined to pitch 7.0 innings and strike out 10 batters.

ELITE SQUAD 10, WOW FACTOR NATIONAL 15U 5

Elite Squad (2-3) defeated Wow Factor National 15u (1-4), 10-5, in only three innings in a back-and-forth battle on the final day of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Elite Squad started the scoring in the top of the first with John Mora and Isaiah Del Valle crossing home on bases-loaded walks.

Despite the early deficit, Wow Factor quickly battled back in the bottom of the first. The team drove in three runs with Marcus Cantu scoring on an error by the third baseman, Matthew Ponatoski reaching the bag on a wild pitch, and Wyatt Shelley driving in a third run with a line drive single to center field to bring the score to 3-2.

The game would quickly prove to be a back-and-forth affair as Elite Squad retook the lead in the top of the second when Daniel Fernandez Jr. crossed the plate on a single by Mora and Ethan Lindor scored on a single by Del Valle for a 4-3 lead.

Elite Squad couldn’t get comfortable ahead for long though as Wow Factor took back the lead in the bottom of the second with Lincoln Boyle scoring on an error by the pitcher and Cole McLean crossing the plate on a sacrifice fly to give them a one-run advantage.

Elite Squad broke the game open in the top of the third, first scoring two runs on a wild pitch and passed ball, respectively. Then John Chen See doubled on a fly ball to left center, driving home Hayden Robinson and Mora. The inning was rolled over and the remaining two runners on base were counted as runs to bring the score to 10-5.

Wow Factor played out the bottom of the third but the game was ended at the conclusion of the third inning.

At the plate for Elite Squad, Mora led the way with a 2-for-2 day amassing two runs and an RBI. Wow Factor’s Shelley was also stout at the plate, going 1-for-2 with an RBI.

EAST COBB ASTROS 5, CITIUS 2026 2

Active base running and a 2-for-3 performance from Malachi Washington lifted East Cobb Astros (3-2) over Citius 2026 (1-3-1), 5-2, at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Zeroes flooded the run column until the home half of the fifth, as East Cobb stayed active on the basepaths and put a two spot. Trevor Condon led off the inning and punched a 1-0 offering to right for a double. Despite initially holding up at second, a throwing error charged to the second baseman allowed Condon to advance to third while an error committed by the third baseman sent Condon home for the first run. Connor Russell followed up and drove a two-out pitch to shallow center to plate the Astros’ second run. Citius responded in the third and put up two of its own, as a pair of walks came around to score after a wild pitch and an RBI base hit by pinch-hitter Vince Long. The tie did not last long; back-to-back RBI base knocks in the home half of the sixth by Wessley Roberson and Washington handed the Astros another two-run advantage. The inning was capped off by a wild pitch that scored Washington and gave the Astros a 5-2 lead.

Pitching was the name of the game for the first five innings, especially for Camden Hayworth who dominated the bump for East Cobb. He went 5.2 innings while striking out seven and surrendering two runs. Washington was 2-for-3 with a pair of singles and one RBI and run scored apiece. Roberson also collected one RBI and one run scored as he was 1-for-3 on the day.

Alexander Moreno was perfect at the plate for Citius, as he racked up two hits over two at bats with one extra-base hit. Long collected the lone RBI for Citius in his 1-for-1 outing while Cooper Skinner went 1-for-2 with a free pass and a run scored. Cohen Bohannon was effective in relief for Citius, facing one over the minimum in 3.0 shutout innings while punching out three in the process.

East Cobb ends the National Team Championships one game above .500 while Citius finishes with a record of 1-3-1.

DULINS DODGERS PRIME GODWIN 6, THE DREAM 15U 5

Dulins Dodgers (1-2-2) used a five-run fifth inning to power past The Dream 15U (0-5) in the final round of consolation games at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina. This marks the Dodgers’ first victory of the tournament.
The Dream got to work quickly, scoring three runs in the top of the first to take an early lead. Chance Dixon started things off with an infield single followed by a walk to put two aboard. Kane Moye then doubled to center to send two across, before Trey Robbins and David Oglesby-Smith posted back-to-back singles and Moye came around to score.

The Dodgers scored their first run with a leadoff double from Anthony Del Angel, who scored on Kaden Robardey’s single to make it 3-1. The Dream matched it by scoring two in the top of the third. A single from Moye, a double from Robbins, and another single from Oglesby-Smith led to a run, and Khalon Davis drove in the second run to cap off the inning and extend the Dream lead to 5-1 in the third.

After being held at bay early on, the Dodgers exploded for five runs in the fourth to take the lead. Del Angel struck again to drive in the first run of the inning with an RBI knock to score Braxton Barber who hit a leadoff single to right field. The Dodgers sent two more across the plate on a fielder’s choice and an RBI grounder from Hudson Browning. They scored the tying run and leading run in the inning as well, coming on a wild pitch and a single from Shawn Suillivan.

Del Angel led Dulins Dodgers, going 2-for-2 with one RBI and two runs scored. RBIs came from four other Dodgers players. Del Angel had the only extra base hit for the Dodgers, a double. For The Dream, Moye, Olglesby-Smith, and Robbins all went 2-for-3 combining for four RBIs. Both Moye and Robbins had extra base hits with doubles in the game.

EAST COAST SOX SCOUT 5, TEAM ELITE 0

East Coast Sox Scout (2-3) shut out Team Elite (0-3-2) behind Luke Davis’ dominant performance in a 5-0 victory at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

East Coast Sox struck first, as Ian Weaver and Andrew Petrock each recorded a base hit to land them on the bases. Over the course of the next two at bats, two successful double steals occurred and brought around Weaver and Petrock for the Sox’s first two runs. After back-to-back walks in the fourth frame, Chris Fitts subsequently stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. He scored the next at bat after an RBI groundout by Cohen Winter, making it a 3-0 contest. Dominic Pellegrin added to the Sox’s total in the seventh, as he drove a 2-0 pitch through the left side to plate the final two runs of the game.

Davis set the tone for East Coast Sox Scout, as he threw 6.1 shutout innings while punching out six and giving up only one hit. Weaver went 2-for-2 on the day for the Sox and scored once. Petrock also tallied two hits, collecting a single and a double apiece while scoring once. Pellegrin gathered two RBIs as he went 1-for-3 with a double.

David Hinjosa and Bryce Hill combined for five strikeouts in 4.0 shutout innings of one-hit ball for Team Elite. Joseph Contreras went 1-for-2 with a single while Brody Jindra was responsible for Team Elite’s other hit, as he went 1-for-3 with a single as well.

East Coast Sox Scout ends its tournament run with a 2-3 record while Team Elite finishes with an 0-3-2 record.

Q&A: Brady Murrietta Chasing More Gold After Last Summer’s World Cup Run

July 15, 2023

Brady Murrietta is no stranger to big moments. The Yorba Linda, California native is coming off of a gold medal at the 2022 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup in which he batted .353 with a home run, four RBIs, and six hits in eight games. He

He is now hoping to lead Canes National to the same fate at the 2023 National Team Championships at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. After producing a double in both the quarterfinals and semifinals that plated the game winning runs, Murrietta now has his sights set on more gold.

With his team down 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth of the quarterfinals against MBA Scout Team on Saturday, Murrietta stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and ripped a double into left field that scored all three runners and gave Canes National the late 5-3 lead. MBA plated one run in the seventh, but Canes National held on to advance to the next round with a 5-4 victory.

Murrietta found himself in a similar situation in the semifinal round against PRD. After falling behind 1-0 early, Canes tied the game in the third before Murrietta crushed his second three-run double of the day to put his squad up 4-1. Canes went on to win the game 9-1 to claim a spot in the gold medal game.

The Canes star finished the day 2-for-5 with two doubles, a walk, and eight RBIs in two games. Following his impressive performance, Murrietta caught up with USA Baseball to discuss his clutch performances, his experience at the World Cup, and what it’s like returning to the National Training Complex.

Q: You recorded doubles in back-to-back games that scored the eventual game-winning run for your team. What is your thought process when stepping up to the plate in those big moments?

A: I came up with the bases loaded earlier in the game and it didn’t come out the way I wanted. I just wanted to help my team out in that situation. You can’t think too much when you come up in those spots. You just have to trust your process and what you’ve been doing.

Q: You won gold with the 2022 15U National Team in Mexico last year. What things did you take away from that experience that have helped you grow as a player?

A: Honestly, it was just pushing through everything. It was a grind. We were in Arizona for 15 days and then Mexico for 14 days. It was really just about processing how you handle yourself through all of that. I definitely learned a lot about my body and what I have to do to take care of myself when you go through those long trips. The biggest lesson it taught me was how to push through the hard times and move on to the next day.

Q: What was your initial reaction when you found out that you would be a member of Team USA?

A: Honestly, I started crying just like a lot of other guys. It's a surreal feeling when your name is called to walk out of that room. You can’t really put into words how you feel. There’s no other feeling like it when you get to represent your country.

Q: How does it feel to get your ring from the gold medal win?

A: It was awesome. The rings are sweet. Coach Briese designed them really well. It just shows how hard we worked throughout all of it and it shows that it paid off to all our teammates and coaches.

Q: You have played at the National Training Complex at various tournaments and events. What does it feel like to be able to come back to a place you are familiar with and compete with your team?

A: Yeah, I mean, every time I come here, it just gets newer and newer. It feels like home almost every time I come here. The environment USA Baseball creates, the teams that they bring here, honestly everything just comes together and it feels like you’re at home when you’re out here. I feel like it becomes a new generation every time you come here.

Q: The 15U National Team Championships is a chance for each athlete to showcase their skills for a chance to represent their country. How do you make sure you go about achieving your own personal goals while also being a good teammate and trying to win the tournament?

A: I feel like USA Baseball is big on being a good teammate. When you go through these games, you have to do as much as you can with and without your teammates to achieve what you all want. At the end of the day, that’s what they look for. Did you help the team win? Did you do everything you can for yourself and for the team? You just have to be the best person and player you can be while also managing your emotions.

Q: You are a proven offensive threat on the field. How do you make sure that your defensive game is as dialed in as your bat?

A: For me, you can look at catching two ways. You can be an offensive catcher or a defensive catcher that hits sometimes too. I like to look at myself as a defensive catcher. Catching is the most important part of my game. I always try to prioritize my preparation and other stuff that goes into it when I’m on the field. I feel like when it comes to hitting, there’s a time for it but you can’t focus on it when you’re catching. For me, that’s the biggest part. You just have to go catch. That’s why you’re on the field.

Q: Who are some of your biggest role models or inspirations that have helped you throughout your career?

A: Definitely my dad. My dad is a big part of my baseball growth. He’s always been the one that has pushed me and told me that if I really want it, I can do the things I want to do in this game. He’s the one who will always have my back when times are good and times are bad.

Canes, Alpha Prime Advance to 15U Champs Gold Medal Game

July 15, 2023

ALPHA PRIME BLANKS ZT PROSPECTS TO CLINCH SPOT IN TITLE GAME

Alpha Prime (5-0) used 14 hits to power past and shut out previously undefeated ZT Prospects National (4-1) to advance to the gold medal game in the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Cole Weinstein drove in the first run on a double to right center, giving Alpha Prime the game’s only run over the first four innings.
Alpha plated another two on the RBI triple from Dillion Moss and an RBI single from Weinstein in the top of the fifth to take a 3-0 edge.
Alpha Prime continued to tack on runs in the top of the seventh coming on a double from Moss and a single from Austin Finnegan to extend the lead to 5-0.
Dax Hardcastle singled and Parker Loew scored on a sacrifice fly to right before the final runs of the ball game came on a two run single from Jason Harris Jr., making it a 9-0 final.

NOTABLE STATS

Alpha Prime starter Marcus Greis went 5.0 innings with three strikeouts while surrendering no earned runs. Jason Harris Jr. came on in relief to continue the shutout while only giving up one hit.
Moss led Prime, going 4-for-4 with two RBIs while Weinstein went 2-for-4 also with a pair of RBIs. Archer Horn also posted a multi-hit performance going 2-for-3.
For ZT Prospects both Justin Lopez and Kingston Kela went 2-for-3 and Lopez had the only extra base hit of the day for the squad.

CANES NATIONAL ADVANCES TO TITLE GAME WITH 9-1 VICTORY OVER PRD

Canes National scored nine runs in a two-inning span to take down PRD, 9-1, and advance to the gold-medal game of the 15U National Team Championships in Cary, North Carolina.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Andrew Saccento opened the scoring in the second for PRD, singling to right field after a double to make it a 1-0 game.
Jaxon Matthews was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring home Gunnar Alm and knot the game at one in the third.
A three-run double by Brady Murrietta cleared the bases in the bottom of the third and put Canes National in front, 4-1.
Murrietta scored on an error before a Hunter Harrington single plated the sixth run of the third inning for Canes National.
Alex Harrington hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Alm–who led off the fourth inning with a walk–to extend Canes’ lead to 7-1.
A bases-loaded hit-by-pitch followed by a walk added the final two runs of the game for Canes National as it earned a spot in the title game with a 9-1 win.

NOTABLE STATS

Murrietta drove in a game-high four runs, going 1-for-2 with a run scored and a walk.
Canes National displayed patience at the plate in the victory, drawing nine walks. Andrew Costello drew three bases on balls, and Alm and A. Harrington had two apiece.
Ty Tillery (4.0 innings) and Mateo Villanueva (1.0 inning) combined to shut out Canes National, striking out seven and allowing just one hit.
Saccento and Williams had the only two hits on the day for PRD. Saccento’s second inning RBI drove in PRD’s lone run of the contest.

Canes National advances to the 15U National Team Championships North Carolina title game on Sunday, where it will take on Alpha Prime 2026. PRD will meet ZT Prospects in a battle for bronze. All games will be streamed live on USABaseball.TV.

15U Champs Day Three Consolation Roundup

July 15, 2023

TOP TIER SELECT 15, LEGACY BASEBALL GROUP 15U BLACK 6

Top Tier Select (2-2) notched 15 hits en route to a 15-6 shootout-win against Legacy Baseball Group (1-2-1) Saturday afternoon at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Top Tier picked up an early 1-0 advantage after TJ McQuillan drilled a two-out pitch to dead center to plate a run and earn a double. A bases-loaded hit by pitch in the second inning advanced Kasey Mink to first and plated another run for Top Tier Select before Legacy halved the deficit in its half of the second, as a double steal allowed Milan Rai to cross home plate.

Top Tier went on an offensive-tear the inning after, as the away team put up seven runs and scattered eight hits. Back-to-back RBI base knocks by Ethan Bass and McQuillan produced a pair of runs while Addison Latko scorched a 3-2 offering for a two RBI double. Three consecutive RBI base hits by Ricky Stegbauer, Mink, and Dylan Bowen brewed up a 9-1 lead.

Legacy gained a couple runs back in the home half of the third, as contact made by Eric Zdunek and Hamilton Friedberg pushed across runs two and three. A deep sacrifice fly off the bat of Dylan Kassab scored one while a two-out fielding error handed Top Tier Select an 11-3 lead in the fourth. Legacy avoided the run rule in the fifth, as back to back triples by Isaiah Hearn and Eric Zdunek were added onto by Friedberg’s RBI groundout, making it 11-6. After its only scoreless inning in the fifth, Top Tier came back knocking in the sixth, putting up a four spot. With bases loaded, a run came across despite a double play being executed. Four consecutive base hits followed, with Mink, Brett Biondich, and Bass each adding an RBI to their totals.

McQuillan finished a home run short of the cycle for Top Tier, as he went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and runs apiece. Bass also produced a 3-for-5 performance, scoring once while knocking in a pair with an extra-base hit. Mink went 2-for-2 and collected three RBIs and scored once for Top Tier Select.

James Tronstein was perfect at the plate for Legacy, as he went 4-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored. Zdunek went 2-for-3 including a triple, scoring once and batting in a run as well. Milan Rai also gathered a couple of hits, as he doubled once and scored once for Legacy.

Both teams will await the results of the final consolation slate throughout Saturday afternoon to determine their next opponents. All games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

USA PRIME NATIONAL 15U 6, DIRTBAGS 15U NATIONAL 0

Chandler Hart and Jackson Gilbert threw a combined shutout to lead USA Prime National 15U (2-2) to a 6-0 victory over Dirtbags 15U National (0-2-2) in the consolation bracket of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

USA Prime started the first with back-to-back singles, followed by a sacrifice fly from Kruz Schoolcraft to score CJ Sampson. Another run would score in the second as James Jorgensen tagged up on a sacrifice fly from Ryan Harwood to put USA Prime up 2-0. In the third, Sampson drew a one out walk followed by an RBI single from Deion Cole to extend USA Prime’s lead 3-0. With bases loaded in the fifth, Cole doubled to right field, scoring Hudson Brzustewicz and Colten Springall. A one out RBI from Schoolcraft scored a run to secure the 6-0 victory.

Cole stole the show at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a double in the fifth. Sampson only recorded one official at bat, going 1-for-1 with two walks but scored three of his team's six runs. Hart had a strong outing on the mound for USA Prime. Hart recorded 12 of his 18 outs via strikeout, allowing only two hits in the process and giving up no runs over 5.2 innings.

James Gibson, Hoblen and Stoots each had a hit on the day, making up the only three hits for Dirtbags.

Each team’s next opponent will be determined later today to continue consolation play tomorrow. All games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

EAST COAST SOX SCOUT 9, THE DREAM 15U 1

Dominic Pellegrin went 2-for-3 with four RBIs and led East Coast Sox Scout (1-3) to a 9-1 victory over The Dream 15U (0-4) in the consolation bracket of the 2023 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

The Dream’s only run came in the first as Kane Moye doubled deep into left to score Ellis Appling and start the game’s scoring. But East Coast responded in a big way, scoring five runs in the bottom of the inning to build a big lead. Two walks and a Dream fielding error loaded the bases for Wyatt William, who drew a walk to bring in a run and tie the game at 1-1. Pellegrin then doubled to left to score Andrew Petrock and Sam Smith to put the Sox up 3-1. Ashton Blair followed up with a two run RBI single to left to cap off the inning and extend East Coast’s lead to 5-1.

Another Sox runner was walked in in the second, followed by an RBI single from Pellegrin to score Davis and put the score at 8-1. Mercy rule came into effect in the fifth inning, as Blake Griggs took home on a wild pitch for the Sox to win 9-1.

Blair was strong in the East Coast lineup, finishing 1-for-3 on the day with two RBIs and a stolen base. Williams was also stout at the plate, with two RBIs and two walks for the Sox.

East Coast Sox starting pitcher Andrew Petrock pitched five innings of two-hit baseball to pick up the victory, striking out six batters and walking none. John Robbins suffered the loss for Dream after giving up five runs in the first inning.

Moye had one of Dream’s two hits, going 1-for-2 with an RBI in the first inning.

Both team’s next opponent will be determined later today to continue consolation play into tomorrow. All games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

CITIUS 8, ELITE SQUAD 5

Isaiah Calderon hit a three-run line-drive double to left field to lead Citius 2026 (1-2-1) to a 8-5 victory over Elite Squad (1-3) in the consolation bracket of the 2023 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Jamison Tenney opened the scoring for Citius, scoring on a wild pitch in the first inning to give the team an early lead. The team continued to be smart at the plate and on the bases in the third inning with Cooper Skinner scoring on an error by the Elite Squad pitcher and Diego Tagliaferro crossing home when Vince Long walked with the bases loaded to bring the score to 3-0.

Elite Squad responded in the bottom of the third by also loading the bases and driving in four runs of its own. Daniel Fernandez Jr. and J Mora scored on a single by John Chen See after reaching base by walking and being hit by a pitch, respectively. In that same inning, Isaiah Del Valle and Chen See crossed home on a fly ball double by Reggie Rodriguez. The frame came to an end when Manuel Sarcos flew out to center.

Citius evened the score at four in the fourth inning when Alexander Moreno sent Isaiah Calderon home on a hard-hit ground ball single to right field.

The turning point of the game for Citius was the top of the fifth when it pulled away from Team Elite with a three-run, base-clearing double by Calderon to bring home Ryan San Miguel, Cesar Bustamante Orta, and Trey Rangel to bring the score to 7-4.

Mora scored the final run of the game for Elite Squad in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI by Rodriguez, but the game came to an end after the fifth inning due to the time limit.

Calderon led the way for Citius at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs on the day. For Elite Squad, Chen See was 2-for-3 bringing in one run and two RBIs.

EAST COBB ASTROS 9, WOW FACTOR NATIONAL 15U 2

Grant Wagner went a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBIs to help the Astros (2-2) defeat Wow Factor National (1-3) 9-2 in a consolation matchup at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

East Cobb Astros struck first on an RBI grounder from Thomas Cook to score Matthew Sharman. The Astros picked up another run in the top of the third when Wessley Roberson sent a grounder to the right side that allowed for Vance Bock to score.

Wow Factor plated its first run on a double from Marcus Cantu to score Cole McLean. Yet it was not until the sixth inning that another run scored when pinch hitter, Wagner, hit an RBI single up the middle to score Bubba Coleman who doubled to lead off the inning. The inning continued with a two run single from Thomas Cook.

East Cobb continued to add more insurance runs in the top of the seventh. The first run scored on an RBI single from Malachi Washington, and the second came on a wild pitch to score Connor Russell. Wagner’s one out single drove in two runs to bring the East Cobb advantage up to eight.

In the bottom of the seventh, Wow Factor got one back on Johnny Carver’s single which scored Jaylen Walker who led off with a triple. But it would not be enough to overcome the deficit, as a pair of strikeouts retired the side and ended the contest.Brook and Russell both went 2-for-3 in the victory while Cook drove in three runs. For Wow Factor, Cantu went 2-for-3 and Walker went 2-for-4 to lead the team.

TEAM ELITE 5, DULINS DODGERS PRIME GODWIN 5

Dulins Dodgers (0-2-2) came back in the seventh but fell just short, as a three-run rally resulted in a 5-5 draw against Team Elite (0-2-2) at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Team Elite gained a 1-0 advantage in the second, as Jadyn Robinson sent a deep sacrifice fly to score Mason Archie who reached on a leadoff single. A fielding error followed by a passed ball brought in Andrew Nelson for Dulins Dodgers to tie the game at 1-1. Another passed ball late in the inning allowed Jackson Voris to easily score from third, putting the Dodgers ahead, 2-1.

Team Elite regained the lead in the fourth frame, as a wild pitch followed by Robinson’s base hit through the right side produced two runs. After a brief hiatus, Team Elite tacked on some insurance in the seventh, as an RBI double off the bat of Reiston Durham and a sacrifice fly by Brandon Washington provided the away team with two more runs, making it a 5-2 contest.

But Dulins Dodgers threatened a comeback in the seventh, as a two-out error allowed Shawn Sullivan to score the Dodgers’ third run. A bases-loaded walk followed by a wild pitch plated the tying run for Dulins Dodgers, but a strikeout later in the at-bat resulted in the game-ending out.

Archie accounted for two of Team Elite’s eight hits, as he went 2-for-3 and scored twice. Robinson notched one hit in his two at-bats, ending up with two RBIs on the day. Joseph Contreras was 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored for Team Elite. Tyler Williams provided Team Elite with 2.0 innings of relief and gave up no hits while striking out one.

Victor Garcia pitched 2.0 innings of two hit ball, giving up no runs and punching out two batters. Kaden Robardey posted a 1-for-2 performance with a triple while Hudson Browning and Logan Corley each went 1-for-2 with a base hit.

Quarterfinal Action Kicks Off Day Three of 15U Champs NC

July 15, 2023

A busy day three at the 15U National Team Championships kicked off with Alpha Prime, Canes National, PRD, and ZT Prospects claiming spots in the semifinal round.

ZT PROSPECTS NATIONAL 9, POWER BASEBALL 2026 MARUCCI 1

ZT Prospects (4-0) run-ruled Power Baseball 2026 Marucci (2-2), 9-1, to remain undefeated and advance to the semifinal round of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

ZT Prospects jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning. It scored the first run on a single to right from Jesiah Andrade to bring home Justin Lopez, while the second run of the inning came on another RBI single from Raphael Dunne to score Jesiah Andrade. ZT Prospects continued to tack on the runs, with two scoring on a sacrifice fly to right from Elijah Beekley. The final two runs of the inning came on a long triple to the left center gap for Troy Southisene and an error.

In the bottom of the third, four consecutive walks led to the seventh run for the Prospects. Yet one frame later, Power Baseball got on the board with an RBI double from Luke Manderson.

In the bottom of the fifth, four singles in a row from Kingston Kela, Beekley, Southisene, and Tyler Young led to the winning runs to put the mercy rule into effect.

For ZT Prospects, Lopez and Andrade both went 2-for-3 while Southisene went a perfect 2-for-2 with two RBIs in the victory. Grant Vega went the distance, allowing just one earned run across 5.0 innings with two strikeouts. Two extra-base hits for Power Baseball came from Manderson and Ethan Rathmann.

ZT Prospects will take on Alpha Prime in the semifinals of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina, which will be contested at Coleman Field. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

PRD 12, PADRES SCOUT TEAM 15U 3

Sal Garcia homered for the second time in as many days as his 3-for-5 performance helped PRD (3-1) cruise past Padres Scout Team (3-1), 12-3, in the quarterfinal round of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Padres Scout Team jumped to an early first inning 2-0 lead after Justice de Jong took advantage of a leadoff single and a walk, as his line-drive shot to center plated a pair. PRD came back with an answer in the top of the second, as a fielding error came back to bite in the form of four runs for the away team. An RBI groundout off the bat of Andrew Saccento, followed by Noah Danza’s RBI base knock, scored the first and second runs of the contest for PRD. Three more singles followed, as Eddie Rosado and Jason Amalbert each tallied an RBI base hit, making it a 4-2 contest. The next inning, PRD tacked on another in the run column as a throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt allowed Garcia to score from first.

The Padres trimmed the deficit by one in its half of the third, as Codey Gauff smoked an 0-1 pitch to center and plated Gustavo Melendez after he reached on a leadoff walk. PRD kept its foot on the gas though, as a four-run fifth inning widened the margin even further. Two runs scored in one at-bat, as the first came across on a throwing error by the catcher while the second was the result of an RBI base hit by Danza. A two-out fielding error prolonged the inning and allowed Amalbert to reach and Danza to score. The fifth-inning scoring came to a close after Michael Hanna was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. PRD continued to add insurance in the seventh, as Hanna plated a run but was dwarfed by the at-bat immediately after - a rocket off the bat of Garcia for a two-run bomb over the left field wall - putting PRD up 12-3.

Garcia posted a stellar 3-for-5 stat line, as he collected two RBIs and three runs scored for PRD in addition to a seventh-inning home run. Luke Williams also went 3-for-5 with a trio of singles as well as a run scored. Danza recorded two hits in four at-bats as he drove in a pair and scored once. Chase Smith shut down the Padres for 3.0 innings in relief and surrendered only one hit in the process.

First baseman de Jong was a bright spot offensively for the Padres Scout Team, as he went 2-for-4 on the day with a pair of singles and a pair of RBIs. Melendez drew three walks and scored two of the Padres’ three runs. Leadoff man Nathaneal Davis was 1-for-3 in the contest and scored the other run for the Padres.

PRD will face Canes National 15U in the semifinals of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina at 11:00 a.m. on Field 2, while the Padres Scout Team will take on MBA 2026 Scout Team in consolation play on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. on Field 2. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

ALPHA PRIME 2026 10, 2026 TEXAS TWELVE 3

Alpha Prime 2026 registered 16 hits on the day in a 10-3 victory over 2026 Texas Twelve to advance to the semifinal round of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Alpha Prime took the early 2-0 lead in the first when Cole Weinstein tripled to right and scored Dillon Moss. Marcus Greis followed suit with an RBI single to bring home Weinstein. Two singles put Alpha Prime runners on the corners for Parker Leow to pick up an RBI in the second. Moss then singled on a hard grounder to left field to score Max Medina. Judson Dowell put Texas Twelve on the board in the second when he hit a solo homer to left. Austin Finegan started out the fourth with a leadoff triple, followed by a walk and back-to-back singles to add an insurance run for Alpha Prime to extend its lead to 5-1. With the bases loaded in the fifth, Finegan doubled to left to score Greis and Masen Belding, and Moss later stole home to make it a 9-1 ball game. Texas Twelve batted around in the fifth to rally on three consecutive singles and a triple to plate two runs. Alpha Prime added a late run in the seventh to secure the 10-3 win.

Finegan was a standout amongst the Alpha Prime offense, finishing 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Moss and Greis both had two hits in the game, each going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Dax Hardcastle started on the mound for Alpha Prime, pitching 6.0 innings with six strikeouts and zero walks. Finegan came in relief in the sixth and tossed two hitless innings while striking out three batters.

Dowell went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a home run to help put Texas Twelve on the board in the second inning. Jordan Garza recorded the only other RBI for Texas Twelve, finishing 1-for-3 on the day.

Alpha Prime will face ZT Prospects National in the semifinals of the 15U National Team Championships at 10:45 a.m. on Coleman Field, while 2026 Texas Twelve will match up with Power Baseball 2026 Marucci on Sunday at 8:00 a.m. on Coleman Field. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

CANES NATIONAL 15U 5, MBA 2026 SCOUT TEAM 4

Brady Murrietta hit a three-run line-drive double to left field to lead Canes to a 5-4 victory over MBA 2026 Scout in the quarterfinals of the 2023 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the triumph, Canes increased its tournament record to 3-1 and advanced to the semifinal round of the event.

It was an exciting game from the jump with Canes scoring two runs in the top of the first on a double by Andrew Costello which brought Alex Harrington home and an RBI by Murrietta which drove in Costello.

MBA responded in the bottom of the first when leadoff batter Jordan Martinez sent a solo homer to left field, cutting Canes lead in half. The team then tied the game in the bottom of the second when starting pitcher Tyler Ellis scored on a fielder’s choice ground ball. Lucas Cannady gave MBA the lead in the third inning with a line drive single to left field which brought in one run and put the score at 3-2.

The game was then a defensive, back-and-forth affair until the top of the sixth when Canes loaded the bases on two walks and a ground ball single. It was all Murrieta then as the designated hitter sent a missile to left field for a stand-up double, clearing the bases and driving in three runs and returning the lead to Canes.

MBA attempted to make a late comeback in the bottom of the seventh with a two-out rally, scoring one on a hard ground ball to center field by Brady Harris but the frame was ended by a line out to the shortstop.

Costello led Canes offense with a 2-for-3 day with a double and two RBIs. Martinez performed well for MBA, going 2-for-4 with one hit and two runs.

On the mound, despite taking the loss, MBA starting pitcher Ellis pitched 5.0 innings of two-hit baseball, striking out six. For Canes, Colton Haire pitched 6.1 innings, striking out five and collecting the win.

Canes National 15U advances to the tournament’s semifinal round, where it will take on PRD. MBA falls into consolation play for the remainder of the tournament. All games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

FEATURE: 15U National Team Alumnus Chandler Hart Makes National Training Complex Debut

Chandler Hart makes first appearance at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, at the 2023 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina

July 14, 2023

Despite being a USA Baseball alumnus, playing in the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina is Chandler Hart’s first time at the National Training Complex in Cary. Hart, a left-handed pitcher, first baseman, and outfielder, was a member of the 2022 15U National Team which won gold at the

Despite being a USA Baseball alumnus, playing in the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina is Chandler Hart’s first time at the National Training Complex in Cary.

Hart, a left-handed pitcher, first baseman, and outfielder, was a member of the 2022 15U National Team which won gold at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico.

After team Head Coach Drew Briese saw Hart pitch in a tournament last summer, he invited Hart to the 15U National Team Training Camp in Tempe, Arizona.

From there, Hart was selected as a member of the 15U National Team and traveled to Mexico to compete against the premier 15U talent from across the world.

“Making the team was awesome,” Hart said. “Not only making it but going down there and winning it with my guys was super fun. It was an awesome experience getting to play against other countries and see the competition around the world.”

Hart started for Team USA in its game against Guam, and pitched three innings of one-hit, shutout ball to help the team bring home the gold medal.

“I was happy with my performance against Guam,” Hart said. “I just went out there and tried to throw strikes and rely on our great defense.”

Nearly a year after becoming a world champion with Team USA, Hart finally made his way to the National Training Complex for the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Hart, along with fellow 2022 15U National Team teammate Ryan Harwood, are competing in the tournament for the USA Prime National team which is currently rated as the top travel baseball team in the 15U age group by Travel Baseball Rankings.

“Being the number one team, when you show up you have to have the confidence that you are the best and you have to know that everyone's trying to beat you,” Hart explained. “If you don't come out and play your best, you're going to get beat, so we kind of play with a chip on our shoulder. We want to prove to everyone that we are the best.”

After beginning pool play with a dominant 12-1 victory over East Coast Sox Scout, USA Prime National holds a 1-2 record at the conclusion of the tournament’s second day.

“Our struggles recently as a team have been walking too many guys so when the pitcher sets the tone, we know we'll put up runs,” Hart said of the day one win. “It's a lot easier to feed off your pitcher when your pitchers are dominating.”

Although the team did not perform as well as it had hoped on day two of pool play, Hart is excited for the opportunity to compete against elite competition at the National Training Complex.

“I'm really excited,” Hart said. “It's a big deal to be at the National Training Complex in front of lots of scouts and coaches. Everyone on our team is hungry and we want to win this thing and I feel confident in our chances.”

15U Champs NC Day Two Roundup

July 14, 2023

The 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina continued on Friday, July 14, at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina with the second day of pool play. Catch up on all the action ahead of tomorrow's quarterfinals.

ZT PROSPECTS NATIONAL 4, TOP TIER SELECT 0

ZT Prospects National (2-0) picked up a 4-0 victory over Top Tier Select (0-2) on nine hits in its second game of pool play of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

A pitcher’s duel ended in the fourth when Kingston Kela put ZT Prospects on the board with an RBI single to right field to score Raphael Dunne. Back-to-back singles and an error loaded the bases in the sixth, and Jesiah Andrade crossed home on a passed ball to put ZT Prospects up 2-0. Dunne then tagged up on a sacrifice fly from Elijah Beekley to score, and Kela singled to right to score Angel Cervantes and take the game 4-0.

Kela had a strong outing as he went 2-for-3 with two singles and two RBIs to put the Prospects ahead in the game. Alejandro Haro had a stellar performance on the mound for ZT Prospects, allowing just one hit while fanning six batters in 6.2 innings. Francis Garcia came in for the last out to secure the win.

Bryce Pauly recorded two of the three hits for Top Tier as both were doubles. Callaghan O’Connor started on the bump for Top Tier, and was credited with the loss after surrendering ZT Prospects’ first run of the game.

ZT Prospects will face East Cobb Astros at 11:00 a.m. on Field 3, while Top Tier Select will next match up with Elite Squad Baseball at 11:00 a.m. on Field 4 to continue day two of pool play of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

ALPHA PRIME 5, USA PRIME NATIONAL 4

Cole Weinstein went 2-for-3 with two base hits and two RBIs to lead Alpha Prime (2-0) to a 5-4 extra innings victory over USA Prime (1-1) on the second day of pool play at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Alpha Prime remains undefeated at the event.

USA Prime put the first two runs of the game on the board in the bottom of the first, thanks to an RBI triple from Rookie Shepard and a wild pitch. Beau Peterson followed up with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third that scored a run from third and set the score at 3-0. Alpha Prime responded in the fourth with two runs of its own thanks to a single by Dillon Moss and a sac fly from Marcus Greis that cut its deficit to 3-2. In the bottom of the fifth, USA Prime managed to extend the lead once again when a Keaton Neal single pushed in a run and made it 4-2. Weinstein made it a new ball game for Alpha Prime in the sixth when he drove in two runs on a single to right field which tied the game 4-4. A scoreless seventh sent the game into extra innings, where Sammy Kane hit an RBI single to establish a 5-4 lead in favor of Alpha Prime. Max Medina retired all three batters he faced in the bottom of the eighth to secure the victory for Alpha Prime.

Medina threw 3.1 innings for Alpha Prime, striking out three batters while allowing no runs on no hits. Alpha Prime leadoff man Parker Loew went 1-for-2 with a single, two runs scored, and two walks. Kruz Schoolcraft started on the mound for USA Prime and struck out five batters in 5.0 innings of action, while Neal and Deion Cole each recorded two base hits for the USA Prime offense.

USA Prime will next face Power Baseball at 10:45 a.m. on Coleman Field, and Alpha Prime returns to action against East Coast Sox at 1:30 p.m. on Field 4. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

ELITE SQUAD BASEBALL 11, EAST COBB ASTROS 7

Elite Squad Baseball (1-1) scored 11 runs to power past East Cobb Astros (1-1) in the second round of the 15U National team Championships in North Carolina. With this win, Elite Squad earned its first victory in the tournament.

East Cobb picked up the first run of the game on an RBI groundout from Trevor Condon to score Wessley Roberson. Roberson led off the inning by reaching first on an error, and stole two bases to make it to third with only one away. He easily scored on a grounder to the right side.

In the top of the second, Elite Squad tied it up on an error from East Cobb which scored Isaiah Del Valle, who singled to reach base. Elite Squad broke the tie the next inning on a walk and back-to-back bunt singles from Jon Mora and Adrian Bermudez, which eventually led to a run coming across on an error at the mound. Another two quickly came after on a walk that forced a run and the third bunt single of the inning from Del Valle. Diego Rivero joined in on the scoring, sending a sacrifice fly to center to push across the fourth run of the inning to make it 5-1.

East Cobb got one back in the bottom of the third when Malachi Washington sent an RBI double to the gap in left-center. Elite Squad took it right back in the sixth, adding one more on three consecutive singles from Ivan Sabaterr, Hayden Robinson, and Ethan Lindor. John Chen See and Reggie Rodriguez quickly joined in on the hit barrage with back-to-back RBI singles to make the deficit six runs. The fourth run of the inning came on the third error of the game for East Cobb to extend its lead to 9-2.

The final two runs for Elite Squad came on a walk and a sacrifice fly, which would have forced the run rule, but East Cobb still had the chance to bat in the bottom of the inning. East Cobb took the opportunity to score five runs in an effort of a final rally attempt. A bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and error followed by three consecutive bases-loaded walks cut the score to 11-7, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.

Del Valle led Elite Squad at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Bermudez also posted a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. For East Cobb, Washington earned the only extra-base hit of the game with an RBI double. Elite Squad starter Tyler Arafet earned the victory after allowing no runs over 6.0 innings of work.

East Cobb will face ZT Prospects National for its third game of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina at 10:45 a.m. on Field 3, while Elite Squad Baseball will play its third game against Top Tier Select on Field 4 at 10:45 a.m. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

LEGACY BASEBALL GROUP 15U BLACK 1, DIRTBAGS 15U NATIONAL 1

In a pitcher’s duel at Jack Coombs Field, Legacy Baseball Group 15U Black (1-1-1) and Dirtbags 15U National (0-1-2) grinded out a 1-1 tie in eight innings. Both runs were scored in the final frame.

The game concluded pool play action for both squads, as their next opponents will be announced at the end of Friday’s slate of games.

Legacy Baseball Group’s James Tronstein broke the deadlock when he drove in Will Suslow after he was placed on second due to the international tiebreaker rule, but Dirtbags managed to salvage a tie in its half of the inning when Hoblen’s sacrifice fly to center field after Cameron Tarkenton was placed on second and moved to third on a bunt single.

Waller led the Dirtbags offense with a 2-for-3 outing while Legacy Baseball Group’s Eric Zdunek and Evan Alexander both went 2-for-4. Both pitching staffs were stellar on the mound, as just a combined 12 hits and two earned runs were allowed and a total of 13 batters were retired by strikeout.

POWER BASEBALL 2026 MARUCCI 10, EAST COAST SOX SCOUT 9

Tucker Jones had the last say in a back-and-forth battle between Power Baseball 2026 Marucci (1-1) and East Coast Sox Scout (0-2) with a walk-off shot in the sixth to lift his team to a 10-9 win on day two of pool play at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Danny Garcia took advantage of Brody Kraft’s leadoff walk with an RBI line-drive shot to right field in the first frame to put Power Baseball up early, 1-0. In an inning that saw only two hits, East Coast Sox Scout tossed up a three-spot in the third to take a two-run lead over Power Baseball. The scoring was initiated by an RBI triple off the bat of Ian Weaver, and was added onto after back-to-back errors prolonged the inning and tacked on two more runs for the Sox. Power Baseball cut into the deficit by a run in its half of the third after a RBI base hit to right by Nate Wade plated the leadoff man. Power Baseball caught the lead in the home half of the fourth, as the four-run inning began with a pair of walks. Grant Sheppard’s sacrifice fly followed by an RBI single by Trenton Ramsey shot the go-ahead run across the plate. The scoring was capped off by a bases-loaded walk and a subsequent wild pitch to make it a 6-3 ball game.

East Coast Sox battled back in the fifth, as back-to-back RBI ground balls through the left side by Andrew Petrock and Sam Smith trimmed the deficit to one run. A bases-loaded walk followed by Dominic Pellegrin’s sacrifice fly scored the tying and go-ahead runs for the Sox. A double steal topped off the scoring and allowed Rhett Persell to cross the plate and make it an 8-6 contest. A bases-loaded walk in the home half of the fifth handed Power Baseball its seventh run, while an RBI single off the bat of Petrock in the sixth inning for East Coast Sox offset that run, making it 9-7. The critical sixth inning began with a rocket off the bat of Ethan Rathmann to land him on second and cut the deficit by a run. Jones sent both teams home as he slapped a soft liner into right to plate a pair and walked it off for Power Baseball.

Wade showed out at the plate for Power Baseball, posting a 2-for-3 performance with two runs batted in and a run scored. The late-game hero Jones scored once and knocked in a pair in his 1-for-4 outing. Rathmann also went 1-for-4, as he collected an RBI in addition to scoring three times for Power Baseball.

On the other side, both Petrock and Weaver each went 3-for-4 and had impressive days at the plate for East Coast Sox Scout. Petrock gathered two-RBI’s and a run scored, while Weaver came around to score twice and hit in a run in addition to notching a triple. Smith was 1-for-4 on the day with an RBI and a pair of runs scored for the Sox.

East Coast Sox Scout will play its final pool play matchup against Alpha Prime 2026 at 1:30 p.m. on Field 4, while Power Baseball 2026 Marucci will next face off against USA Prime National 15U at 10:45 a.m. on Coleman Field to conclude its pool play contests. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

TOP TIER SELECT 11, ELITE SQUAD BASEBALL 3

Top Tier (1-2) put up 11 runs in the mercy-rule victory over Elite Squad Baseball (1-2) in the 15U National team Championships in North Carolina. Both teams head into consolation play tomorrow after finishing pool play.

Top Tier scored its first run of the tournament on back-to-back hits from Dylan Bowen and Bryce Pauly. The team earned its second run on a wild pitch that scored Pauly.

The run support continued in the second with a two-run single from Kasey Mink to put Top Tier ahead by four. The hits in the inning continued with back-to-back-to-back RBI singles from Pauly, Ethan Bass, and TJ McQuillan scored two and a wild pitch brought the tally up to eight runs in the inning. The final tally of the third inning was eight runs, on nine hits, all of which were singles.

Down to its final outs because of the lingering mercy-rule, Elite Squad plated three runs coming on a single and a double from Ethan Lindor and Jon Mora to keep the game going in the fourth.

In the bottom of the fourth, Dylan Kassab hit a solo shot over the right field wall to bring the lead back to eight runs. Top Tier hung on to win it in mercy-rule fashion.

Pauly went 3-for-3 to lead Top Tier with two RBIs, followed by both Bowen and Kassab who each had multi hit performances. Kassab had the biggest hit of the day, a homer in the fifth which drove in the game’s final run for the run-rule victory. For Elite Squad, Lindor led Elite Squad, going 2-for-2 with an RBI. Top Tier starter Tate Troxell went 3.0 innings, giving up just two hits with no runs and four strikeouts.

Elite Squad and Top Tier Select finished pool play and will await seeding for tomorrow's bracket play games. Both games and all future National Team Championships games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

POWER BASEBALL MARUCCI 3, USA PRIME NATIONAL 1

Tucker Jones went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI to help lead Power Baseball (2-1) to a 3-1 victory over USA Prime National (1-2) on day two of the 2023 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Power Baseball collects its second victory of the event and heads into day three with a winning record.

In the top of the first, Ethan Rathmann reached on a single before Jones ripped a double to center field that allowed Rathmann to score and establish an early 1-0 lead for Power Baseball. No more runs crossed the plate until the top of the fifth when Power increased its lead to 2-0 thanks to a Nate Wade RBI single. Power took a 3-0 lead in the top of the sixth when a fielding error in the USA Prime infield allowed Mason Jones to score from third.

In the bottom of the frame, USA Prime scored its first run of the day after a batter was hit with the bases loaded. USA Prime was in position to rally, but reliever Luke Manderson closed the game out with a swinging strikeout to secure the 3-1 victory for Power in six innings.

Andrew Barr went 1-for-1 with a base hit, run scored, and two walks for Power. Beau Peterson led the USA Prime offense, going 2-for-3 with two singles and a stolen base. Jordan Livingston struck out three batters while allowing no runs on just two hits in 4.0 innings of work.

Each team will await seeding to determine its next opponent in the opening round of bracket play tomorrow. All games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

PRD 11, THE DREAM 15U 4

Sal Garcia went 1-for-3 and drove in three runs, including a two-run home run to help lift PRD (1-1) over The Dream 15U (1-1), 11-4, on Day 2 of pool play at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

An RBI single by Andrew Saccento in the first followed by a sacrifice fly off the bat of Eddie Rosado put PRD on top early. The Dream went to work at the plate in its half of the third. After a bases-loaded walk, Kane Moye drilled a 3-2 offering to right center and cleared the bases, putting The Dream up 4-2. The lead did not last long, as PRD plated a pair in the home half of the third thanks to a two-run blast into the trees in left field by Sal Garcia. A long single by Carney O’Donnell in the fourth frame brought two more runs across the plate for PRD, making it a 7-4 affair. PRD stayed busy in the home half of the sixth, as an inside-the-park home run from Jason Amalbert in addition to an error manufactured four more runs to make it an 11-4 final score.

Garcia posted a 1-for-3 stat line with three RBIs and two runs scored for PRD. Amalbert delivered a 2-for-4 performance with two RBIs and a run scored while Rosado gathered one RBI and two runs scored for PRD in his 1-for-1 outing. Chase Brandt offered 4.0 strong shutout innings of relief for PRD, as he collected five strikeouts and surrendered three hits in the process of earning the save.

Chance Dixon led The Dream offensively, as he went 2-for-4 with a single and a double apiece while scoring a run as well. Dixon was responsible for batting in three of The Dream’s runs as he recorded a double in his 1-for-2 showing.

The Dream 15U wraps up pool play with a 1:30 p.m. matchup against 2026 Texas Twelve on Field 2 while PRD also has its final pool play contest and faces Wow Factor National 15U in a 1:30 p.m. matchup on Coleman Field. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

ZT PROSPECTS NATIONAL 8, EAST COBB ASTROS 0

ZT Prospects (3-0) beat the East Cobb Astros (1-2), 8-0, to go undefeated in pool play of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Justin Lopez singled to right to get things started for the Prospects in the first. Lopez managed to advance to second and third on a wild pitch then raced home on a fielding error to put the Prospects in the lead 1-0.

A big third inning for the Prospects added six runs on six consecutive singles and extended its lead to 7-0. Kingston Kela singled to right to score Francis Garcia and secure the 8-0 run rule victory in the sixth.

Lopez was a standout in the lineup, finishing the day 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a stolen base to help lead the Prospects to victory. Dunne also recorded two RBIs, going 1-for-2 with two stolen bases. Matthew Riendeau and Kela threw a combined shutout against the Astros, and Riendeau started and threw the first five frames, striking out two and allowing two hits before Kela tossed a hitless sixth.

Bubba Coleman and C Russell each had a hit on the day, with Coleman also having one stolen base. Nate Russell and Ayden Lockett both appeared on the mound for the Astros, each recording two strikeouts and giving up a combined seven hits.

PADRES SCOUT TEAM 4, CANES NATIONAL 1

Padres Scout Team (3-0) took advantage of defensive miscues en route to a 4-1 win over Canes National (2-1) on the second day of the 15U National Team Championships North Carolina at Jack Coombs Field in Durham, North Carolina.

In a scoreless game in the third, Dylan Cheek and Nathanael Davis each reached base and came around to score on errors to put the Padres up 2-0. Canes National immediately responded in the bottom half of the frame when Carson Bolemon led off the inning with a hit-by-pitch and came around to score on a wild pitch to trim the deficit in half.

After each pitching staff exchanged zeros in the middle innings, the Padres notched a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Justice Dejong and Codey Gauff led off the inning with walks and eventually were plated on errors, making it a 4-1 game in favor of the Padres. The Canes rallied for a pair of singles in the bottom of the final frame to get the tying run to the plate but were unable to score a run as the game ended at 4-1.

Gauff reached base in all three plate appearances for the Padres, picking up a hit and drawing two walks. Cheek and Davis also chipped in a hit and run scored. Colton Haire and Brady Murietta picked up the only hits for the Canes.

Spencer Krasner was clutch in relief for the Padres, tossing 4.2 innings and allowing just two hits. Aaron Hernandez started for the victors, pitching two hitless frames.

ALPHA PRIME 2026 4, EAST COAST SOX SCOUT 0

Alpha Prime’s Carson Munroe and Cole Weinstein combined for a no-hitter to go undefeated in pool-play, defeating East Coast Sox (0-3) 4-0 in the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Alpha Prime broke the 4.5 inning scoreless tie by scoring Marcus Greis and Matthew Maxon on a two-RBI single from Sammy Kane. Prime scored for the second inning in a row, coming on a two-run double from Archer Horn to make it a four-run deficit going into the final inning.

Munroe went 6.2 innings with nine strikeouts and only three walks, rendering the Sox hitless. He faced the minimum in five consecutive innings. Weinstein pitched to the final batter of the inning to maintain the combined no-hitter and close out the victory.

Prime’s Kane went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Horn went 1-for-2 with two RBIs. Ian Weaver, Sam Smith, and Wyatt Williams were the only batters to reach base for East Coast, all coming on walks.

East Coast Sox Scout and Alpha Prime 2026 finished pool play and will await seeding for tomorrow's bracket play games. Both games and all future National Team Championships games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

MBA 2026 SCOUT TEAM 11, DULINS DODGERS PRIME GODWIN 3

MBA 2026 Scout Team (3-0) finished pool play victorious after an 11-3 victory over Dulins Dodgers Prime Godwin (0-2-1) to conclude Day 2 of pool play of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

MBA took the early lead in the first, thanks to a sacrifice fly from Aiden Arnett to score Jordan Martinez. With Brady Harris on third, Lucas Cannady grounded out to second to score Harris. The Dodgers cut the lead in half in the third; with two men on, Braxton Barber singled on a hard ground ball to score Kaeleb Galindo. Then, with the bases loaded, the Dodgers took the lead on an MBA fielding error to plate two runs to go up by a run.

In the bottom of the third, Martinez stole home followed by an RBI double from Arnett to put MBA up 4-3. Arnett then crossed home on a wild pitch, and George Anderson singled to right to score Cannady and make it a 6-3 edge. MBA added two insurance runs in the fifth on an RBI single from Christopher Reali to lead 8-3. Two sacrifice flies and a single from Arnett sealed MBA’s 11-3 run rule victory.

Arnett led the MBA offense, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two doubles. Harris also had two doubles on the day, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Brayden Harris was stellar on the mound for MBA, striking out ten batters and walking two.

Anthony Del Angel recorded two of Dulins Dodgers’ five hits, going 2-for-3 with a triple in the sixth.

2026 TEXAS TWELVE 12, THE DREAM 15U 2

2026 Texas Twelve (3-0) combined for 11 runs over two innings en route to a 12-2 landslide victory over The Dream 15U (0-3) on Day 2 of pool play at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

The teams remained even through the first frame before an RBI groundout by David Oglesby-Smith plated run number one for The Dream. A wild pitch in the home half allowed Texas’ Bryce Nixon to score the tying run, making it a 1-1 game in the second.

Texas Twelve blew it open soon after, stringing together a five-run rally. After a sacrifice fly by Tyler Ramos scored the go-ahead run, back-to-back base hits by Jake Ernest and Ryan Steele widened Texas’ lead by two runs. A sac fly sent off the bat of Jordan Garza was supplemented by a wild pitch directly after, scoring Nixon and making it a 6-1 game. The Dream tacked on a run to its total in the third frame, as Kane Moye drove a 2-2 pitch up the middle for a run. Texas Twelve continued the onslaught in the fourth, as the six-run fiasco began with a trio of singles, the latter being an RBI base knock by Judson Dowell. After an RBI groundout by Harper Gates, two consecutive doubles by Carson Reeder and Drake Bentke delivered three more runs to the home team’s total. A line out recorded the second out, but a throwing error allowed Bentke to cross home for the mercy-rule deciding run.

Wyatt Clewett pitched the entirety of the contest for Texas Twelve, as he lasted 4.0 innings while conceding only one run. Earnest was stout at the plate for Texas, collecting one RBI and scoring twice in his 2-for-2 performance. Nixon also went 2-for-2, as he gathered a pair of singles and also scored twice. Reeder was 1-for-1 in his pinch-hit at bat while scoring once and plating two on the day.

Ellis Appling tallied a double and scored a run as he went 1-for-1 on the day. Alex Espinoza and Christopher Guillory were each 1-for-2 in the contest for The Dream.

2026 Texas Twelve advances to the winner’s bracket while The Dream 15U will play the rest of its games in the consolation bracket. All games will be held Saturday and Sunday and will be streamed at USABaseball.TV with live updates provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

CITIUS 2026 4, TEAM ELITE 4

A pair of late runs by each side led to a 4-4 tie between Citius 2026 (0-2-1) and Team Elite (0-2-1) on Friday afternoon at Jack Coombs Field in Durham, North Carolina.

In a tie game in the top of the sixth, Citius pulled in front by two runs on the strength of a two-run single by Cesar Bustamante Orta. But Team Elite responded immediately in the bottom of the inning, scoring on a wild pitch and an RBI single by Brandon Washington to knot the game at four. A pair of two-out walks put the winning run in scoring position for Team Elite in the bottom of the seventh, but a fielder’s choice halted the rally and ended the game in a tie.

The game was back-and-forth early on. Mason Archie singled and scored on an error to put Team Elite in front 1-0, and a sacrifice fly by Josiah Rojas evened the tally at one in the fourth. Washington put Citius back in front in the bottom of the fourth, but Team Elite responded with a sac fly to knot the game again before it eventually went on to end in a tie.

Alexander Moreno tossed 5.1 innings for Citius, allowing three runs (one earned) and striking out three. B. Fontaine got the start for Team Elite and turned in four innings of one-run ball.

Washington led Team Elite’s offense with a 2-for-3 performance, adding a pair of RBIs. Bustamante Orta and Diego Tagliaferro tallied two-hit games for Citius.

PRD 6, WOW FACTOR NATIONAL 5

Deacon Nelson went 4-for-4 with four singles, two RBIs, and a stolen base to lead PRD (2-1-0) to a 6-5 win over Wow Factor National (1-2-0) in the final game of pool play at the 2023 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, PRD advances to the winner’s bracket of the National Team Championships North Carolina.

Sal Garcia plated the first run of the game for PRD with a triple in the first inning that scored a runner from second. Nelson followed up with an RBI single that allowed Garcia to come in to score from third and set the score at 2-0 in the first. Wow Factor collected a run in both the first and second to tie the game at 2-2.

The next run of the game came for Wow Factor in the fifth courtesy of a Keon Johnson RBI double that established a 3-2 lead. Singles by Jason Amalbert and Nelson, along with a double by Garcia, put four runs on the board for PRD in the top of the sixth. Wow Factor drew within one in the bottom of the frame, but a groundout ended the inning and secured the 6-5 victory for PRD as the time limit expired.

Garcia went 2-for-4 with a double, triple, and three RBIs. Nicholas Bradley threw 4.0 innings and punched out nine batters. John Dolan struck out four batters in 4.2 innings of work for Wow Factor. Johnson led Wow Factor offensively, going 2-for-3 with a single, double, and two RBIs.

15U Champs NC Day One Roundup

July 13, 2023

The 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina kicked off at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, on Thursday, July 13. Stay up to date with all the day one pool play action ahead of day two tomorrow.

MBA 2026 SCOUT TEAM 3, LEGACY BASEBALL GROUP 15U BLACK 1

Lights out pitching from the MBA 2026 Scout (1-0) staff secured the 3-1 victory over Legacy Baseball Group 15U Black (0-1) in the first round of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina. With this win, MBA picks up its first victory of the tournament with two pool play games left.

Legacy scored its first run coming on back-to-back singles from Isaiah Hearn and James Tronstein. It was an error from MBA that allowed the first run to cross the plate.

Another run was not scored until the top of the fifth when MBA broke the game open by tallying its first hit and its first run. The inning began with a walk to Christopher Reali, who was doubled over by Braden McKee. Reali scored, tagging up on a pop up in foul territory, while the second run scored on a wild pitch which gave MBA the lead. MBA scored again in the sixth with a walk and a single from Aiden Arnett to put two runners aboard. A sacrifice fly from Lucas Cannady scored the third run.

MBA starter Wilson Anderson went 6.0 innings, collecting 12 strikeouts while giving up no earned runs. Ryan Walls closed out the game by striking out the side in the final frame.

MBA was held to three hits, coming from Arnett, Anderson, and Mckee. Legacy Baseball picked up seven hits and Eric Zdunek went 2-for-3 to post the only multi-hit performance of the game.

MBA 2026 Scout Team will face Dirtbags National for its second game of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina. The game is slated for 11:30 a.m. on Field 3. Legacy Baseball Group 15U Black will play its second game against Dulins Dodgers Prime Godwin on Field 4, which is also set for 11:30 a.m. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

DULINS DODGERS PRIME GODWIN 3, DIRTBAGS NATIONAL 3

Logan Corley went 2-for-2 with two base hits and Waller went 2-for-3 with a single and a double as Dulins Dodgers Prime Godwin (0-0-1) tied Dirtbags National (0-0-1), 3-,3 in the opening game of pool play at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Each team will head into the second game of pool play still seeking its first victory.

A pair of scoreless innings started the contest, with the two pitching staffs combining for seven early strikeouts. Dulins Dodgers managed to take an early 2-0 lead in the top of the third thanks to RBI singles by Victor Garcia and Kaden Robardey. Two scoreless innings followed before Carson Sharp layed down a perfect bunt to score a runner from third and extend the lead to 3-0 in the top of the sixth. Dirtbags put its first run of the game in the bottom of the frame after a sac fly by Guzman scored a runner from third and made it 3-1. Dulins Dodgers seemed to be in a prime position to close out the game with a win, but a bases loaded walk and a wild pitch allowed Dirtbags to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh to end the game in a 3-3 tie.

Logan Shields threw the first 6.1 innings on the mound for Dulins Dodgers, striking out nine batters while allowing five hits. Garcia and Shawn Sullivan each went 2-for-3 with two singles for Dulins Dodgers. Kiker, Holden, and Hornick all collected base hits for Dirtbags.

Dulins Dodgers will continue pool play as it squares off against Legacy Baseball Group Black at 11:30 a.m. on Field 4. Dirtbags National will next match up against MBA 2026 Scout Team at 11:30 a.m. on Field 3. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

CANES NATIONAL 15U 5, CITIUS 2026 0

Canes National’s (1-0) pitchers combined for eight strikeouts and allowed just three hits in a 5-0 complete-game shutout of Citius (0-1) in the first round of pool play at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

After a couple scoreless frames, Canes National took the lead in the third as a mishandled ball in the outfield allowed Grady Emerson to come around and score. A fourth-inning flare sent out to right field by Carson Bolemon hauled in Hunter Harrington for Canes National’s second run. The contest stayed quiet until the seventh, as Canes National added a trio of insurance runs which began with Alex Harrington pounding a one-out pitch to left for an RBI double. A sacrifice fly sandwiched by a pair of base hits saw RBI’s for Andrew Costello and Jaxon Matthews.

Bolemon stood strong at the plate, as he went 2-for-2 with a pair of singles and an RBI, while Emerson posted a 2-for-3 outing and scored twice for Canes National. Rhys Wolf led the way for Canes National, as he tossed 4.1 scoreless innings of three-hit ball while striking out five in the process. Jacob Horwitz took over from there, as he faced the minimum and completed the shutout while giving up no hits over 2.2 strong innings.

Logan Schultz held his ground on the bump as well, as he punched out six batters while giving up no earned runs over 4.0 innings. Cooper Skinner and Josiah Rojas each collected a double in the contest.

Canes National will next face Team Elite on Coleman Field at 11:15 a.m. while Citius 2026’s next opponent will be Padres Scout Team also at 11:15 a.m. at Field 2. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

PADRES SCOUT TEAM 15U 8, TEAM ELITE 5

Padres Scout Team registered eight hits on the day in an 8-5 victory over Team Elite in game one of pool play of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Jacob Lombard got things started for the Padres in the second inning with a leadoff double to then steal third, followed by an RBI triple from Codey Gauff. Team Elite evened things out at 1-1 with bases loaded and a fielder’s choice to score Mason Archie. A big third inning for the Padres added four runs on the board on three singles and four walks to put the score at 5-1. With bases loaded in the fifth, Justice Dejong was walked in, followed by a sacrifice fly from Dylan Cheek for Lombard to tag up and make it a 7-1 ball game. The Padres added a late run in the sixth with an RBI single from Dejong. Team Elite rallied in the seventh on five walks and a clutch two-run RBI single from Reiston Durham, but it wasn’t enough with a final score of 8-5.

Dejong helped lead the Padres’ offense with a 2-for-3 day with two singles and two RBIs. Gauff was also stout at the plate, finishing 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a walk. Riley Sherowski (1-0) started on the mound for the Padres, pitched five innings of one-hit baseball to pick up the victory, striking out five batters and walking four.

Durham produced the only two hits for Team Elite, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base. The pitching staff for Team Elite had a combined six strikeouts and ten walks.

Padres Scout Team 15U will face Citius at 11:40 a.m. on Field 2 to continue pool play of the 15U 2023 National Team Championships. Team Elite will next match up with Canes National 15U at 11:40 a.m. on Coleman Field. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

2026 TEXAS TWELVE 10, WOW FACTOR NATIONAL 4

2026 Texas Twelve (1-0) used an eight-run surge in the seventh to take down Wow Factor National (0-1) in the opening round of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the teams tied at 2-2, heading into the seventh, Texas Twelve exploded for eight runs due to some tough breaks for Wow Factor. Texas Twelve took a 4-2 lead on back-to-back walks with the bases loaded, and then strung together five runs in as many consecutive at-bats on a hit-by-pitch, balk, wild pitch, RBI double, and error with the bases still loaded, to take a 10-2 lead.

Wow Factor looked to rally in the bottom frame, as Matthew Ponatoski and Keon Johnson drove in runners on back-to-back doubles, but was unable to overcome the late deficit.

Ponatoski led all players in the game with a 4-for-4 outing and two RBIs, while Reeder turned in the lone multi-hit outing for Texas Twelve with a 2-for-3 performance. Texas Twelve’s Ryder Miller was credited with the win after tossing the final two innings of the game and surrendering just two earned runs, while Ponatoski was saddled with the loss after giving up five earned runs in 0.2 innings.

Wow Factor will next play The Dream 15U at 2:30 p.m. on Field 2, while Texas Twelve will face PRD in the second round of pool play of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina on Field 3. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

CANES NATIONAL 15U 10, TEAM ELITE 0

Canes National (2-0) used an eight-run flurry in the third en route to a 10-0 run-rule victory over Team Elite (0-2) in the second round of pool play at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Canes National gained an early 2-0 lead through the first two innings which saw a run score as a result of a double play ball and a sacrifice fly from Gabriel Milano. The squad pulled away in the third frame, as the eight-run barrage began with Gunnar Alm drilling a ball down the right field line for a leadoff triple. The Canes strung together three consecutive hits highlighted by Brady Abate’s deep RBI double to left and Grady Emerson’s RBI base hit, making it a 4-0 game. A double steal plated Alex Harrington and handed the Canes a five-run advantage. A fielder’s choice followed by a bases-loaded walk scored a pair and widened the margin to seven runs. The inning was capped off as Carson Bolemon pounded a two-out, 3-2 pitch for a bases-clearing single to deliver the tenth run and give the home team a double-digit lead.

Starter Connor Langdon paved the way for Canes National’s mercy-rule win, as he shut down the Team Elite offense over 4.0 innings of one-hit ball while racking up six strikeouts. Boleman was responsible for the brunt of the third-inning damage, as he collected three RBI and a walk while going 1-for-1. Leadoff man Harrington led the team in hits, as he posted a 2-for-2 outing with a single and double apiece while scoring two runs for Canes National.

Lucas Magnozzi was responsible for Team Elite’s lone hit of the contest, as he went 1-for-1 with a single.

Canes National will wrap up pool play in a 10:45 a.m. matchup on Friday against Padres Scout Team at Jack Coombs field while Team Elite will play its final pool play game also at Jack Coombs field on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

DIRTBAGS 15U NATIONAL 2, MBA 2026 SCOUT TEAM 6

Consistent hitting and a three run sixth helped MBA 2026 Scout Team (2-0) to outlast Dirtbags 15U National (0-2) 6-2 in the second round of games at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Hayden Waller led off the game with a single on the first pitch that was thrown, and after stealing two bases, he scored on a ground out to shortstop from Will Holden to give Dirtbags the early lead. Dirtbags added another in the top of the third coming on an RBI single from Derek Guzman.

In the bottom of the third, MBA tied it up by scoring two runs. Chandler Dantzler reached base on a dropped third strike and Romy DeCenzo followed with a double down the right field line to put runners in scoring position. Dantzler scored on a wild pitch, and DeCenzo followed, scoring on a single from Jordan Martinez.

MBA broke the tie in the bottom of the fourth as Aiden Arnett reached on an error before Lucas Cannady then reached on a fielder’s choice, eventually scoring on an RBI single from Wilson Anderson. In the bottom of the sixth, MBA tacked on two more insurance runs after an RBI singles from Tyler Ellis and Christopher Reali. A third run scored in the inning after a passed ball sent Ellis home.

MBA starter Matthew Bysheim earned the win after going 5.2 innings giving up just two hits and striking out five. Martinez, Reali, Anderson, all posted multi hit games going 2-for-3 with a combined three RBIs. Waller picked up two hits for Dirtbags while Derek Guzman earned the only other hit for the Dirtbags.

MBA 2026 Scout Team will face Dulins Dodgers Prime for its third game of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina. The game is slated for 1:45 p.m. on Friday on Field 3. Dirtbags 15U National will play its third game against Legacy Baseball 15U Black at Jack Coombs Field on the campus of Duke University, which is set for 8.00 a.m. on Friday. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

LEGACY BASEBALL 4, DULINS DODGERS 0

Hamilton Freidberg went 2-for-3 with a single, double, RBI, and a run scored to lead Legacy Baseball (1-1-0) to a 4-0 win over Dulins Dodgers (0-1-1) in game two of pool play at the 2023 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Legacy Baseball collects its first win of the week.

Legacy managed to put the first run of the day on the board in the top of the third thanks to an RBI single by Isaiah Hearn that made it 1-0. Two innings later, a double by Freidberg followed by a fielder’s choice and a sac fly by Patrick Arranaga made it 4-0 in favor of Legacy. Jake Chung entered in relief in the bottom of the seventh for Legacy and struck out one batter and forced two groundouts to secure the 4-0 win.

James Tronstein went 2-for-2 with two singles and a run scored to help lead the Legacy offense. Peter Jackson threw 3.1 relief innings for Legacy, allowing just one hit. Jackson Voris and Carson Sharp each went 1-for-2 with a base hit for Dulins Dodgers. Logan Corley started on the mound for Dulins Dodgers, striking out eight while allowing just one run across five innings of work.

Legacy will take the field again tomorrow against Dirtbags National at Jack Coombs Field at 8:00 a.m. Dulins Dodgers will be back in action against MBA 2026 Scout Team tomorrow on Field 3 at 1:45 p.m. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

PADRES SCOUT TEAM 15U 4, CITIUS 2026 2

Justice Dejong went 2-for-3 with a home run to lead the Padres to a 4-3 victory against Citius 2026 in game two of pool play of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

The Padres plated an early runner in the first on a balk to score Nathaneal Davis. Citius struck back in the third as Roman Stevens stepped up big with a two-run RBI single to score Lyndon Lee and Cooper Skinner. Dejong tied things up at two in the third with an RBI single to center, and the Padres took back the lead in the sixth as Dejong homered to left field followed by a wild pitch to score Codey Gauff. The sixth-inning output gave the Padres all they would need as they went on to win, 4-2.

Dejong started out the tournament strong, going 4-for-6 on day one with four RBIs and a home run to help lead the Padres to a 2-0 start in pool play. The Padres’ starting pitcher, Justin Munoz, went six innings deep with one strikeout and gave up three hits.

Stevens went 1-for-2 with the two RBIs that put Citius on the board. Trey Rangel started on the mound for Citius, pitching five innings with five strikeouts and three walks. Ethan Vanroekel came on in relief in the sixth, allowing one hit and striking out a batter.

Padres Scout Team 15U will face Canes National 15U Friday, July 14th at 10:45 a.m. at Jack Coombs Field to continue day two of pool play of the 15U 2023 National Team Championships. Citius 2026 will next match up with Team Elite tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. at Jack Coombs Field. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

ALPHA PRIME 11, POWER BASEBALL MARUCCI 6

The bottom of the order produced five hits and four RBIs for Alpha Prime (1-0) as it defeated Power Baseball Marucci, 11-6, on day one action of the 15U National Team Championships North Carolina at Jack Coombs Field in Durham, North Carolina.

It was a high-scoring affair from the jump in Durham, as Power Baseball (0-1) scored three runs in the opening frame. Ethan Rathmann opened the scoring with a two-run triple to drive in the first two runs, followed by Tucker Jones’ RBI single to put Power Baseball in front 3-0. Alpha Prime responded for a run in the bottom of the first on Dillon Moss’ run-scoring double to cut its deficit to two before a five-run explosion put the squad in front.

Alpha’s five-run second inning was due mostly to wild pitching by Power Baseball, as the squad drew five bases-loaded walks to propel in front. Masen Belding added a run-scoring single for Alpha, making it a 6-3 edge in the second inning. Matthew Maxon and Max Medina chipped in two run-scoring knocks in the third to extend the lead to 8-3 in the third.

After a pair of scoreless frames in the middle innings, Power Baseball attempted to mount a comeback in the top of the fifth. Danny Garcia hit an RBI double followed immediately by Rathmann picking up another RBI single to make it an 8-5 score. But Alpha got right back to work in the bottom of the inning to extend its lead back to five on an RBI hit by Mason and a Medina sacrifice fly. The two sides exchanged runs late on an error and double play, but Alpha held on for the 11-6 win.

Mason and Medina had two RBIs apiece for Alpha Prime, which notched eight total hits as a team. Parker Low drew three walks and scored a run for the victors. Rathmann had the lone multi-hit day for Power Baseball, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Power Baseball is back in action on Friday morning, taking on East Coast Sox Scout on Field 3 at 8:00 a.m. ET. Alpha Prime will take on USA Prime National at 8:00 a.m. ET on Coleman Field. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

PRD 4, 2026 TEXAS TWELVE RED SOX 5

2026 Texas Twelve Red Sox (2-0) hung on to win a one-run ball game against PRD (0-1) during a pool play game at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina. With the win, Texas Twelve earns its second victory of the tournament and remains undefeated.
PRD’s Jason Amalbert led the game off by tagging the first pitch thrown for a double down the left field line. Amalbert later scored on Salvador Garcia’s grounder to the shortstop. In the bottom of the second, Texas Twelve tied it up, plating its first run on Jordan Garza’s double to score Judson Dowell.

Texas Twelve broke open the game in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs on three hits including a double from Walker Anderson. The third run in the inning came on a stolen base where Bryce Nixon taking second gave Ryan Steele enough time to score. The inning was capped off with an RBI double from Dowell, but a runner was tagged out on third to end the frame.

In the top of the sixth, PRD earned its first run since the first inning coming on a liner up the middle from Deacon Nelson to score Matthew Tafuri. The bases remained loaded as the runners moved station to station with only one away. Another run quickly came across on an RBI single from Luke Williams followed by a walk to force in another. Yet, the comeback was not enough.

2026 Texas Twelve starter Jordan Garza went 4.0 innings giving up only one earned run with four strikeouts to earn the victory. To help its case, Dowell went 2-for-2 with a double for the Twelve. For PRD, both Nelson and Williams went 2-for-3, each with an RBI, in the comeback attempt.

PRD will face The Dream 15U for its second game of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina. The game is slated for 10:45 a.m. on Friday on Field 2. 2026 Texas Twelve will play its third game against The Dream 15U on Field 2, which is set for 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

WOW FACTOR NATIONAL 15U 7, THE DREAM 15U 0

Wow Factor National 15U (1-1) batted around to register six hits in a 7-0 triumph over The Dream 15U (0-1) to conclude pool play for day one of the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

Wow Factor started off the scoring in the first with bases loaded and back-to-back singles from Jaylen Walker and Lincoln Boyle to drive in three runs. With two men on the corners, a wild pitch sent Charlie Lods home and an RBI single from Keon Johnson would move the score to 5-0. Wow Factor would plate another run in the third as Michael Cantu singled to left field and brought home Jack Woda. Cantu brought in another run in the fifth to extend Wow Factor’s lead 7-0 and finish things off against Dream.

Cantu played a vital role in Wow Factor’s offense, going 2-for-4 on the day with two RBIs and a stolen base. Walker was also stout at the plate going 1-for-2 with two RBIs and two walks. Will Adams started on the mound for Wow Factor, throwing three shutout innings with six strikeouts and allowed one hit. Jaylen Walker finished things off in the sixth, striking out two batters and allowing zero hits.

Chance Dixon and Ellis Appling both had one hit on the day for Dream.

Wow Factor National 15U will face PRD Friday, July 14th at 1:30 p.m. at Coleman Field to continue day two of pool play of the 15U 2023 National Team Championships. The Dream 15U will next match up with PRD tomorrow at 10:45 a.m. on Field 2. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via @USABScores on Twitter.

ZT PROSPECTS 10, ELITE SQUAD 2

Elijah Beekley went 1-for-1 with a double, two runs scored, and two walks to lead ZT Prospects (1-0) to a 10-2 victory over Elite Squad (0-1) in five innings.

With the win, ZT Prospects begins the week with an undefeated record.

ZT Prospects took an early 4-0 lead in the top of the second thanks to four bases loaded walks. Elite Squad responded in the bottom of the third with two runs of its own coming off sac flies from Adrian Bermudez and Reggie Rodriguez. Two passed balls and singles from Jaxson Wood and Raphael Dunne plated four more runs for ZT Prospects in the fourth and set the score at 8-2. In the top of the fifth, the ZT offense kept rolling, scoring two runs on a fielder’s choice and a single by Tyler Young. Alexander Hubbard forced a three up, three down bottom in the fifth to secure the 10-2 run rule victory for ZT Prospects.

Young went 1-for-1 with a base hit, two RBIs and two runs scored to help lead the ZT Prospects offense. Wood finished the day 1-for-2 with a single, two RBIs, and a run scored. Mora went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored for Elite Squad.

Pool play at the 2023 15U National Team Championships continues tomorrow. ZT Prospects will take on Top Tier Select on Field 3. Elite Squad will face off against East Cobb Astros on Field 4. First pitch for each game is set for 8:00 a.m. Both games will be streamed on USABaseball.TV and live updates will be provided via Twitter @USABScores.

USA PRIME NATIONAL 15U 12, EAST COAST SOX SCOUT 1

USA Prime National 15U (1-0) picked up the lead in the third and never let up, securing a 12-1 statement win over East Coast Sox Scout (0-1) on Day 1 of pool play at the 15U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

USA Prime scratched a run across first, as Deion Cole sent a sacrifice fly to center in the third and took advantage of Colten Springall’s triple down the right field line earlier in the inning. CJ Sampson jumped on the first pitch he saw in the top of the fourth and sent a solo shot over the right field wall to make it 2-0. The away team only got hotter, as a double sent to right by Kruz Schoolcraft followed by a walk put two base runners on early in the fifth for USA Prime. Later in the inning, Cole sent a long two-out single off the left field wall and plated the pair of base runners. Back-to-back walks advanced Cole to third, who then scored off a wild pitch, making it a 5-0 contest. East Coast Sox cut into the deficit by a slim margin in the home half of the fifth, as a fielding error allowed Ian Weaver to score the Sox’s lone run of the contest. USA Prime gained a couple runs back in the sixth. After back-to-back singles by Chandler Hart and Schoolcraft started the frame, pinch-hitter Hudson Brzustewicz slapped a 1-0 pitch through the left side to plate the pair of runners. The bats stayed active in the top of the seventh, as Rookie Shepard led off the inning with a double and quickly came around to score after a subsequent base knock and a wild pitch. A double steal scored the ninth run and was added onto after a wild pitch and then a two-RBI triple by Catcher Hopkins, cementing a 12-1 victory.

Schoolcraft went to work at the plate, as he scored two of USA Prime’s runs in his 3-for-3 outing and finished the day a home run short of the cycle. Cole went 2-for-4 on the day for USA Prime, as he knocked in a couple runs and scored once. Rookie Shepard and CJ Sampson each collected a couple hits in three at-bats; they scored a run apiece and Sampson gathered an RBI with his home run. Sampson also made noise in his start on the bump as he struck out five in 2.2 innings of work.

Wyatt Williams took charge at the plate for East Coast Sox, as he posted a 2-for-2 performance with two singles. Weaver went 1-for-1 with a walk and a run scored for the Sox.

USA Prime National plays its next pool play game against Alpha Prime 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning at Coleman Field while East Coast Sox will square off against Power Baseball 2026 Marucci also at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning on Field 2. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

EAST COBB ASTROS 1, TOP TIER SELECT 0 (F/8)

East Cobb Astros (1-0) scored the lone run of the game on a walk-off double to defeat Top Tier Select, 1-0, in an extra-inning pitchers’ duel on Thursday at Jack Combs Field in Durham, North Carolina.

With a pair of runners placed on base due to the international tiebreaker rule in a scoreless game in the eighth, C. Russell cranked a walk-off double to lead East Cobb to victory.

Scoring opportunities were hard to come by in the contest, as lights-out pitching was the story of the day. Top Tier (0-1) had two base runners reach to lead off the top of the third but a fly-out and double play helped East Cobb escape the jam unscathed. Top Tier reached again in the fourth, but another double play erased the baserunner to keep the shutout intact.

East Cobb nearly won it in the bottom of the seventh before eventually walking off in the eighth. A pair of two-out singles put the tying run in scoring position, but a pick off halted the threat and sent the game to extras.

Pitching was dominant on both sides in the contest. Thomas Cook pitched 4.1 innings of two-hit ball before handing it over to Jansen, whose 3.2 hitless frames earned him the win. Kaden Waechter tossed seven shutout innings for Top Tier, striking out four.

Both teams return to action on Friday, as Top Tier matches up with ZT Prospects National at 8:00 a.m. ET on Field 3. East Cobb will take on Elite Squad at 8:00 a.m. on Field 4. Both games will be streamed at USABaseball.TV, and live updates will be provided via Twitter at @USABScores.

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