CARY, N.C. –– Team Stars started game three of 15U National Team Training Camp on fire, helping them pick up their first win in the Stars vs. Stripes series, which was shortened to six innings due to weather. Despite the early end, both teams showed solid composure and execution throughout the contest.
Offensively, Team Stars jumped out early with timely hitting and aggressive base running, putting pressure on the Stripes’ defense. Several players contributed with key hits that helped build a lead the team would not relinquish. On the mound, the pitching staff kept hitters off balance, while the defense made clean plays behind them to preserve the lead.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Stripes leadoff batter Nate Malone started the game on a high note, taking a full count and turning it into an early single. Lucas King took advantage of the opportunity after he ripped an RBI single to open up the game.
- The Stars answered back quickly in the bottom of the first after Colin Anderson roped an RBI double to left field. Cullen Scott tacked on another run when he cracked a hard grounder to right to score Anderson and take a one-run lead.
- After a scoreless frame, Nateo Victorio (Team Stripes) tied the contest via an RBI double in the top of the third. Malone again made his presence felt when he slashed an RBI single to give the Stripes a 3-2 lead.
- Trent O’Malley came on to pitch for the Stripes in the third frame and put forth an impressive two innings, striking out four batters without yielding a walk or a hit.
- The bottom of the fifth inning brought some much anticipated action when the Stars loaded the bases. A dropped third strike allowed Cris Matos to sneak home and tie the game at three runs each.
- Carter Gilley added another run in the bottom of the fifth for the Stars after he crossed the plate on a wild pitch to give the Stars a one-run advantage going into the sixth.
- Macgraw VanWormer (Team Stars) made sure to secure the lead from the bump when he came on in the top of the sixth. VanWormer needed only 15 pitches to shut down the Stripes offense.
NOTABLES:
- Stripes’ O’Malley led the way with a game-high four strikeouts in his two innings of work on the bump.
- Anderson (Stars) and Victorio (Stripes) were the only two batters to record an extra-base hit, both coming in the form of a double.
- Malone, of Team Stripes, recorded a game-best two hits.
- Through three games, O’Malley leads all batters with a .667 batting average.
- Anderson boasts a week-best three RBIs through three games.
ON DECK
15U National Team Training Camp will continue tomorrow with game four of the Stars vs. Stripes series at 10 a.m. ET at Ting Park in Holly Springs, North Carolina. After the conclusion of game four on August 8, the 15U National Team roster will be announced at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET.
SOCIAL MEDIA
To follow along with all the action with the 15U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball15U on X and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.
