Day three of the 2025 15U/16U National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup marks the final day of pool play and the 15U semifinals, with teams battling for a spot in the championship, their hopes on the line.

15U NTIS CHAMPIONS CUP SEMIFINAL ROUNDUP

15U Southwest Stars 6, 15U Northwest Stripes 0

Eli Martinez dominated on the mound for the 15U Southwest Stars, pitching a complete-game shutout with nine strikeouts and just three hits allowed to send his team to the gold medal game. The Stars’ offense was led by Juan Carlos Rodriguez Jr., who went 2-for-2 with two RBIs.

The 15U Northwest Stripes struggled to find offense against Martinez’s command. Conner Cleary, Jasar Lopes, and Paulie Ganaden III each recorded a hit, but the team couldn’t overcome the five runs allowed. Ethan Salazar started for the Stripes, pitching four innings with five runs allowed on five hits, followed by two scoreless innings from Brett Barnes.

15U Midwest Stars 10, 15U Southeast Stars 7

The 15U Southeast Stars defeated the 15U Midwest Stars in a competitive seven-inning game to secure a spot in the gold medal game. Noah Jarolimek led Southeast going 1-for-1 with four RBIs and three walks, while DeAndre’ Williams added two hits and an RBI. Wesley Thiry struggled early, allowing five runs in 1.1 innings, but relief pitching helped stabilize the team. Midwest’s offense was paced by Colton Smith (2-for-4, 3 RBIs) and Kameron Cox (2-for-3, 2 RBIs). Aarion Gould struggled on the mound with four runs allowed over 2.2 innings, while Brady Rallo shut down Southeast hitters in the final innings. Southeast’s timely hitting and bullpen held off a strong Midwest offense for the win.

15U NTIS CHAMPIONS CUP POOL PLAY ROUNDUP

15U Southwest Stripes , 15U Northwest Stars 0

The first three innings featured a pitchers’ duel between Jacob Shinseki and Cooper Briscoe, with both escaping early threats to keep the game scoreless. Shinseki and Briscoe battled through the first five innings. Shinseki struck out seven and allowed one run, and Briscoe held the Southwest Stripes with four strikeouts. At the plate, Richie Cruz led the Stripes with three hits and an RBI, while Jonathan Lott went 2-for-2. For the Northwest Stars, Shinseki contributed two hits and a walk, and Eli Cortez added a hit and a walk. Relievers Ryan Cunningham, Matthew Avila, and Grady Klovstad closed out the game without allowing runs over the last three innings to preserve the pitchers’ duel.

15U Southeast Stars 11, 15U South Stars 10

The 15U South Stars came out swinging in the first inning, erupting for seven runs to set the tone early. Despite a rocky start on the mound from Ian Davis, who allowed those seven runs on just three hits in less than an inning, the South Stars' offense capitalized and built a strong lead. Ryan Canning and CJ Allee led the charge at the plate, combining for multiple hits and key RBIs. The Southeast Stars battled back with contributions from Zaidyn Spencer, who went 4-for-4 with three RBIs but struggled to overcome the early deficit. Pitching settled down after the first as Samuel Smith and Cohen Fuller combined for six scoreless innings, helping keep the game close despite the South Stars’ explosive start. In a walk-off sacrifice fly, Southeast Stars came out on top in a 11-10 victory.

15U Midwest Stars 13, 15U Southeast Stripes 4

The Midwest Stars defeated the Southeast Stripes 9-4 in a game marked by solid offensive contributions and pitching struggles on both sides. The Southeast Stripes saw strong performances from Tre’ Lawrence (1-for-3), Mason MacKay (1-for-1 with an RBI and two walks), and Xavier Rodriguez (1-for-2 with an RBI). On the mound, Riley D’Angelo led the pitching effort with 2.2 innings pitched, allowing two hits and three runs (one earned), striking out four while walking three. However, relief pitcher Grady Ennis struggled, giving up five runs on as many hits in just one inning. Brooks Bateman also contributed innings out of the bullpen, pitching 2.0 innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two walks and a pair of strikeouts. The Midwest Stars countered with key hits from Jude Heyer (3-for-3, 2 RBIs), Colton Smith (1-for-2 with two RBIs and a walk), and Alexander McCord (2-for-2, 2 RBIs). Kipton Allen started for the Stars, pitching 2.0 innings but giving up four runs on seven hits. Both teams battled through seven innings, but the Stars’ timely hitting and bullpen depth ultimately sealed the victory.

15U South Stripes 5, 15U Northeast Stars 4

The 15U South Stripes and 15U Northeast Stars battled in a competitive game marked by strong individual performances on both sides. The South Stripes received key offensive contributions from JJ Leonard, who went 1-for-2 with two runs scored, Chase Petro, who tallied two hits and one RBI, and Cailan Zollicoffer, who drove in a run and added a hit. Easton Jones and Carson Bazan also delivered important hits, with Bazan driving in a run. On the mound, James Lee pitched four innings, giving up six hits and three earned runs while striking out six and walking two. Relief pitcher Bazan added four innings with three hits allowed, one run, and three strikeouts without issuing a walk. The Northeast Stars countered with a strong lineup effort led by Miles Martin, who went 3-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI, and Jerome Stephens, who recorded two hits and two RBIs. Joey Lionetti, Sean LaBlance, and Benjamin LaVier also contributed multiple hits, while Cristian Matos added a hit and pitched one inning, allowing one run with two strikeouts. Shae LaBlance pitched 3.0 innings, giving up eight hits and two runs (one earned) with one strikeout. Andrew Edwards and Kellan Bishop combined for nearly four innings, each allowing one run, with Bishop striking out four batters.

15U Southwest Stars 15, 15U Midwest Stripes 1

The 15U Southwest Stars rolled to a commanding 15-1 win over the 15U Midwest Stripes in seven innings. Offensively, the Stars were led by James Stout (2-for-2, 2 RBIs), Joey Koenig (3 hits, 3 runs, 2 RBIs), and Austin Maiden (3-for-3, 1 RBI). On the mound, Kye Ward dominated with 5.0 innings pitched, allowing just one hit and one unearned run while striking out five. Stout and Jack Eastham closed the game with two hitless innings. The Midwest Stripes struggled offensively, managing only a single run, with Gunnar Quisling being the only player to score, going 1-for-1 with a walk and a run scored.

15U Northwest Stripes 11, 15U Northeast Stripes 0

Mark Douglas pitched a complete game shutout for the Northwest Stripes, throwing 85 pitches over seven innings to lead them to an 11-0 victory over the Northeast Stripes at Durham Athletic Park.

16U NTIS CHAMPIONS CUP POOL PLAY ROUNDUP

16U Southwest Stars 5, 16U Southeast Stars 5

The game remained scoreless through the first six innings as pitching dominated on both sides. Southeast Stars’ Drew Caracio set the tone early, working around traffic and leaving the bases loaded in the first. On the other side, Southwest Stars’ Mikey Stortz battled through 3.0 innings, striking out seven and keeping the Northwest Stars off the board. In the top of the seventh, Max Maher came in to keep the momentum going for the Southwest Stars, allowing just a single to Gavin Sitko and a clutch triple by Dylan Salcedo, but holding firm with a sacrifice and fly-out. The final score ended in a tie, 5-5.

16U Northwest Stars 10, 16U Northeast Stripes 3

The 16U Northeast Stripes battled hard but ultimately fell 10–3 against the Northwest Stars. Starting pitcher Alejandro Diego showed flashes of dominance, striking out four over 3.2 innings, though he struggled with control, issuing four walks and allowing five hits and six runs (five earned). Riley Browning took over in relief and delivered a strong performance, striking out six over three innings while giving up just one run on one hit. At the plate, Jack Rutledge II led the offense with a solid 1-for-3 showing that included an RBI, while Chris Ostrum contributed with a sacrifice fly that brought in a run and also scored once himself. Sebastian Herrera provided a consistent presence on the bases, drawing three walks and scoring a run in his three plate appearances. Despite their efforts, the Stripes couldn’t overcome timely hitting and strong pitching from the Stars, who built an early lead and held on through steady pitching down the stretch.

16U Midwest Stars 8, 16U South Stars 0

The 16U Midwest Stars secured a narrow victory over the 16U South Stars in a competitive seven-inning matchup highlighted by strong pitching and clutch hitting. Midwest starter Cason Borchardt was exceptional, delivering six innings with only one run allowed on four hits, alongside seven strikeouts and two walks. Alexander Kakach finished the game with a scoreless seventh inning, recording two strikeouts. The South Stars’ pitching struggled early as Braden Schleifer-Bell gave up five runs in 3.1 innings with five walks, while Alexander Ochranek and Aaron Springston combined to surrender three additional runs. Offensively, the Midwest Stars were led by Taye Reich, who scored three times with two hits, and Scott Miner II, who drove in three runs. Contributions from Gavin Stanislawski and others helped keep constant pressure on the South Stars’ defense. The South Stars’ offense was limited overall, with Maika Jonick and Hunter Handley as the only players with multiple hits, and Aaron Springston scoring the team’s lone run. Despite solid at-bats, the South Stars were unable to overcome the Midwest pitching and clutch hitting, ultimately falling short in a competitive matchup.

16U Northwest Stripes 3, 16U Southwest Stripes 2

In a pitchers’ duel, Chase Fillman threw seven innings, allowing two hits, one run, four strikeouts, and no walks for Southwest. Caden Lee went 2-for-3 with the walk-off hit in the 8th, while Seth Young (1-for-3) and Logan Osmundson (1-for-2, 1 walk) also helped spark the offense. For Northwest, Braden Makley pitched 8.0 innings, giving up six hits, three runs (two earned), striking out eight with one walk. Nick Cressio went 1-for-2 with an RBI, and Kyle Watts added a hit and a run. The game was scoreless through seven innings before Southwest won in extras.

16U Southeast Stripes 10, 16U Northeast Stars 4

The 16U Southeast Stripes jumped out early against the 16U Northeast Stars, taking advantage of seven walks issued by Alexander Quigley-Skillin in just 1.1 innings to score five runs (four earned). Key offensive contributions included Harrison Milanowski (2 RBIs, 1-for-2), Kade Buchanan (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Braylon Edwards (1-for-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB), and (1-for-1, 3 R, 2 BB). On the mound, Justin Didier pitched 4.0 innings, allowing seven hits, four runs (all earned), with two walks and three strikeouts, while Caleb Carpenter added three scoreless innings with just one hit allowed. The Northeast Stars countered with hits from Connor Tysver (2-for-3), Aaron Concepcion (1-for-2, 1 R), Jack Brown (1-for-2, 1 RBI), and Mark Williams Jr. (1-for-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB), but struggled to overcome Quigley-Skillin’s control issues that set the tone early.

16U Midwest Stripes 6, 16U South Stripes 4

In a close-knit battle fought at the Durham Athletic Park, the 16U Midwest Stripes came out on top 6-4 over the 16U South Stripes.