Cary, North Carolina - This year’s 15U/16U National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup began play on Friday at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, with 12 teams on both the 15U and 16U sides vying to emerge from six pools and book spots in bracket play. The opening day featured plenty of big plays, highlighted by late comebacks, grand slams, and early offensive eruptions.
NORTHEAST STRIPES DOMINATE OFFENSIVELY, DEFENSIVELY FOR OPENING WIN
The Northeast Stripes’ 15U squad was in terrific form to open the team’s slate, downing the Midwest Stripes 7-0 after allowing just one hit in a complete effort. The win proved to be the only shutout of the day, highlighting the two-way prowess for the Northeast Stripes.
ALVAREZ, COLLURA LEAD SOUTHEAST STARS’ BIG FIFTH INNING
The Southeast Stars’ 16U team secured its first win of the week thanks to a big fifth inning that saw four runs scored after maintaining a 1-0 lead, holding on for an eventual 6-3 victory over the Northwest Stripes. Maximus Alvarez raked an RBI triple and Macen Collura added an RBI double during the big fifth frame, helping spark the win.
MILLER HELPS FUEL SOUTHEAST STARS TO HIGH-FLYING WIN
The Southeast Stars’ 15U side also enjoyed a big start to the day, led by Samuel Miller. Miller helped key a 16-5 win, contributing three runs in the first inning thanks to a two-RBI double before scoring himself on a throwing error and a wild pitch as the Stars jumped out to a big lead and never looked back against the Northwest Stripes.
MIDWEST STARS STORM BACK FROM DEFICIT WITH RUNS OVER TWO INNINGS
An eight-run surge across the third and fourth innings lifted the Midwest Stars’ 16U squad to victory over the Northwest Stars after falling into an early 3-0 deficit. Midwest plated five runs in the third inning to race ahead, then proceeded to add another three during the fourth frame to pad the lead.
CANTU’S GRAND SLAM LIFTS SOUTH STRIPES, HIGHLIGHTS THE DAY
In further 16U action, the South Stripes and Southeast Stripes battled in a game with plenty of fireworks to begin the afternoon slate of games. Marcus Cantu of South Stripes was the highlight of the game, showcasing his power at the plate by cranking the first grand slam of the week.
MILANOWSKI AT THE DOUBLE FOR SOUTHEAST STRIPES
Harrison Milanowski cracked a two-RBI double in the second inning to help earn a 9-3 win for the Southeast Stripes over the South Stars in a 15U matchup, helping the Stripes race out to an early lead and never look back.
CHURCH, MELTON LEAD STUNNING LATE COMEBACK FROM NORTHWEST STARS
Meanwhile, the 15U squads of the Northwest Stars and Northeast Stars played out arguably the most thrilling game of the day. The Northeast Stars rolled out to a 10-0 start helped by RBIs from Ryan Drakeford and Jake Boguniecki, only for big days from Gunner Church and Quinn Melton to spark an incredible 11-run rally over the final two innings as the Northwest Stars clinched victory from the jaws of defeat.
STELZER’S HOT START ON THE MOUND GIVES SOUTHWEST STARS’ WEATHER- SHORTENED WIN
Kolsen Stelzer of the 15U Southwest Stars hurled seven strikeouts in the first three innings of his side’s 3-2 win over the Southeast Stars, helping his squad take the win in a weather-shortened battle in the evening.
MIDWEST STARS GET BIG HITS FROM WILMER, LICARI IN LATE WIN
The Midwest Stars 16U team rolled to a late 11-4 win over the Southwest Stars, with a delayed start due to weather doing little to hamper the Midwest bats. Bennett Wilmer cracked a bases-clearing triple in the top of the first inning to get the Midwest Stars going, and a big RBI double in the third inning off the bat of Hawk Licari furthered the rout.
