MIAMI, Fla. – USA Baseball’s 2026 12U National Team Extended Training Camp continued on Saturday morning with game two of the intrasquad series between the Stars and Stripes. After yesterday’s defeat, the Stars evened the series by downing the Stripes 15-3 at Ronselli Park in Sweetwater, Florida.
HOW IT HAPPENED
RJ Garcia started on the mound for the Stars and posted a scoreless first frame. He then stole the show with a leadoff home run to center field as part of a four-run bottom of the first.
Garcia posted another clean inning and struck out two batters in the top of the second, allowing the Stars offense to pick up where they left off and deliver three more runs in the bottom half. Jethro Nelson launched a double to center field and stole third with Aiden Izquierdo at the plate. Izquierdo then drew a walk and stole second to put runners in scoring position, and an error followed by an Antonio Rolando single scored them both. Back-to-back wild pitches followed by another error brought Rolando home for the seventh run of the contest.
After another strong defensive frame, the Stars’ offense went to work again in the bottom of the third. Atticus Arnold opened the inning with a walk, and an error allowed Garcia to reach base. Rios then homered to center field and extended the lead to 10-0.
In the fourth, the Stripes plated two to cut into the Stars’ lead with a pair of runs. William Rezabeck was hit by a pitch and Callen Bruesch walked, and outfield singles by Jerry Hennessey and Aiden Green allowed them both to cross home plate.
In the bottom frame, Tulowitzki led off with a double, then scored on Izquierdo’s sacrifice fly.
In the fifth, Harwood reached on an error and Craig and Arnold drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Garcia singled and Rios grounded out to third to plate Harwood and Garcia to extend the Stars’ lead to 14-2.
The Stars plated their final run of the contest in the sixth when David Thomas II singled, stole second, and scored on Jacob Wood’s base hit to right field.
The Stripes scored one final run in the top of the seventh. Wyatt Fly led off with an outfield single, and then scored on Hennessy’s double to the center field wall.
NOTABLE STATS
Hennessey, Garcia, and Tulowitzki recorded a game-high two hits each.
In addition to Garcia’s two hits, he also threw two hitless innings and struck out three batters.
Thomas II led all pitchers with four strikeouts.
Each of the four pitchers for the Stars recorded multiple strikeouts and combined for 11 total in seven innings.
ON DECK
The Stars and Stripes will play a final intrasquad game on Sunday, November 15, at 9 a.m. at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida. The final 18-player 12U National Team roster will be announced later in the afternoon.
