Port Charlotte, Fla. - The 18U National Team fell to Florida 8-1 in the fifth game of National Team Training on Sunday, November 18, at the Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida.
Florida first scored in the top of the first inning, recording two runs on a home run to deep left center. Both teams went scoreless in the second and third innings before Florida plated another run in the top of the third when UF stole home as part of a double steal.
In the fifth, the Gators added two insurance runs, before the U.S. picked up their first hit of the game as Corbin Carroll (Seattle, Wash.) hustled out an infield single in the bottom half of the inning. The Gators scored two runs in the sixth to push the lead to 8-0.
Team USA scored its lone run in the bottom half of the ninth after Tyler Callihan (Neptune Beach, Fla.) doubled to left field. Anthony Volpe (Watchung, N.J.) brought Callihan home after hitting a single up the middle to make the final score 8-1.
Four players recorded two hits for the stars and stripes. Starting pitcher Jack Leiter (Summit, N.J.) pitched three innings and struck out four in the loss.
Up next, the squad will return to FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, for a rematch against Canada on Monday, November 19. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. ET. Team USA won the first meeting between the two 8-3 on Saturday.
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