BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic – The United States continues Super Round play against Venezuela Monday morning at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Americas U-18 Pan-American Championship at 10:00 a.m. ET at the IPL Academy in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.
LAST TIME OUT
The United States opened Super Round play with an 11-1 victory over Nicaragua on Sunday morning. Team USA erupted for eight runs in the second inning, highlighted by two-RBI hits from Dylan Seward and Sebastian Wilson, before adding three more runs to secure its third consecutive run-rule victory. Ethan Gustus earned the win with 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out four, while Andrew Carlson made his Team USA debut with two shutout innings and three strikeouts. With the win, the U.S. improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Super Round standings.
PITCHING MATCHUP
RHP Ángel Morales (VEN) vs. LHP Connor Salerno (USA)
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Venezuela went 2-1 in the Opening Round and owns a 1-1 Super Round record, with its only losses coming against Puerto Rico and Mexico. Across four games, Venezuela has surrendered no fewer than three runs scored double digits on one occasion.
Venezuela is hitting .276 as a team and has scored 27 runs on 32 hits. Two of its eight extra-base hits have come by way of the long ball, while they have only swiped four bags.
At the plate, Venezuela has four players hitting .300 or better, including Enexis Antunez, who leads the team in batting average (.400). Venezuela, however, has only three batters who have four or more base knocks.
Venezuela’s pitching staff owns a 5.75 ERA and holds opponents to a .313 batting average. Additionally, its arms have given up nine extra-base hits, including three home runs.
HISTORY AGAINST VENEZUELA
The 18U National Team is 18-3 all-time against Venezuela, first meeting at the 1992 World Junior Championships in Monterrey, Mexico. The U.S. is currently riding a 12-game win streak against Venezuela, with its last loss coming in the 2000 Junior Pan American Games. Since 2000, Team USA has outscored Venezuela by a 105-38 margin, while five of those contests were decided by three runs or fewer.
Team USA last played Nicaragua at the 2024 World Cup Americas Qualifier held in Panama City, Panama. In that contest, the United States beat Venezuela, 6-0, behind a multi-hit effort from Eli Willits and a combined shutout from Aiden Stillman, Jordan Martin, Austin Weiss, and Cooper Rummel.
TEAM USA STAT LEADERS
- BA: Chase Fuller (.583)
- HITS: Chase Fuller (7)
- RBIs: Sebastian Wilson (10)
- RUNS: Sebastian Castillo (7)
- TB: Chase Fuller, Sebastian Wilson (10)
- BB: Sebastian Castillo, Drake Hawpe, Broder Katke (4)
- SB: Sebastian Castillo, Lubin Rincon, Dylan Seward (2)
- IP: Ethan Gustus (5.0)
- Ks: George Ferguson (8)
SUPER ROUND STANDINGS - ALL STANDINGS
- Puerto Rico (2-0)
- United States (2-0)
- Panama (1-1)
- Venezuela (1-1)
- Dominican Republic (0-2)
- Nicaragua (0-2)
SCHEDULE
- October 27 - vs. Panama - 10:00 a.m. ET
- October 28 - vs. Puerto Rico - 10:00 a.m. ET
- October 29 - Medal Round - TBD
INSIDE THE ROSTER
The 2026 roster features Isaac Vidal, who will appear on a USA Baseball national team for the third time, in addition to 15U National Team alums Cooper Collins and Samir Mohammed. Nine players on the roster have participated in USA Baseball national team development programming, while four players have participated in a past development event jointly hosted in partnership with Major League Baseball. Additionally, top ranked 2027 MLB Draft prospects Dylan Seward (No. 3), Malachi Butler (No. 8), and George Ferguson (No. 16), and Lubin Rincon (No. 20) are featured on the roster. More information on the 2026 18U National Team Roster can be found HERE.
AT THE HELM
The 2026 18U National Team is led by Team USA alum and 13-year major leaguer Brian Schneider, who makes his managerial debut with the program. Alongside Schneider is 11-year MLB reliever and two-time Team USA alum Luke Gregerson, who will serve as pitching coach. Former professionals Doug Mientkiewicz and Tim Raines Jr. round out the staff as assistant coaches.
FOLLOW ALONG
To stay up to date with the USA Baseball 18U National Team, follow along with @USABaseball18U on Twitter/X, and @USABaseball on Instagram. For more information on the schedule including live statistics and streaming, visit HERE.
