AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico – Team USA (5-0) clinched a spot in the in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup on Wednesday with a 19-9 win over the Dominican Republic (2-4) at the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in Aguascalientes.
The win kept Team USA undefeated as it heads into the final two days of the Opening Round and extended the 12U National Team international competition win streak to 17, dating back to 2019.
Up next, the U.S. will look to clinch the No. 1 seed in the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier ahead of the medal rounds on Saturday and Sunday.
Against the Dominican Republic, Team USA was paced by big offensive days from Tyler Early (3), Greyson Wuis (2), Leyland Henry (2), Bryant Ju (2), Ryder Serna (3), Jett Schoolcraft (2), and Ty Glaus (3) who all recorded multiple RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Dominican Republic capitalized on walks from Team USA and used a two-run single to take an early 2-0 lead.
- Early hit his third leadoff home run of the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier to start the scoring for Team USA in the bottom of the first to make the score 2-1, Dominican Republic.
- The Dominican Republic lead didn’t last long as the stars and stripes scored seven in the bottom of the second to take an 8-2 lead. Serna hit a 3-run home run, Early scored Glaus with an RBI-single, Henry launched a two-run home run of his own, and Ju plated one with an RBI-double.
- Two home runs gave the Dominican Republic a combined three runs to close in on Team USA’s lead in the top of the third, making the score 8-5.
- Glaus responded with a two-run home run in the bottom of the third to give the red, white, and blue a 10-5 advantage.
- The Dominican Republic scored one run in the fourth inning and threatened with the bases loaded. Schoolcraft came on in relief and worked out of the jam to give the U.S. went a 10-6 lead heading into the bottom frame.
- Team USA kept the offense going in its half of the fourth as Ju,Schoolcraft, and Wuis all contributed with an RBI-single, an RBI-double and an RBI fielder’s choice, respectively, to put the U.S. ahead 14-6.
- In the top of the fifth, the Dominican mounted a comeback attempt by adding three runs to make the score 14-9.
- In the final frame, Team USA capitalized on walks and wild pitches from the Dominican Republic to score four runs. Wuis stepped in and delivered an RBI-single for the final run of the inning and the game.
NOTABLE:
- Team USA and Team Mexico are the only undefeated teams left in the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier. Both will have one game on Thursday before resuming their suspended game on Friday.
- Maddox McBryde (1-0) was credited with the win after pitching 2.0 innings in relief and striking out two.
- Early has now hit three leadoff home runs.
- Henry has recorded at least one home run in four of his five games.
- Six different players for Team USA recorded an RBI in Wednesday’s contest.
- By qualifying, the 12U National Team will compete in its sixth World Cup, having won four of the five that it has previously participated in.
ON DECK
Team USA will face Puerto Rico on Thursday morning in the next game of the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier. First pitch is set for 10:00 a.m. local/12:30 p.m. ET at Estadio Ferrocarrilero. Stay tuned to @USABaseball12U on Twitter for the most up-to-date news about the 2023 12U National Team.
