PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico - Strong performances on the mound by Duke Ekstrom (San Diego, Calif.) and Logan Saloman (Chandler, Ariz.) led the USA Baseball 15U National Team to a 5-1 victory over Brazil in its first game at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier on Friday at Unidad Deportiva Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. 
Ekstrom started on the bump for Team USA, giving up one run (unearned) on just three hits while striking out five batters in his five-inning, winning performance. Saloman (Chandler, Ariz.) came on in relief, tallying three strikeouts and allowing one hit in his two innings of work. 
Mikey Romero (Menifee, Calif) led the team offensively, going 1-for-4 with a two-RBI double in the second inning.
Key Moments
• Termarr Johnson (Atlanta, Ga.) walked to lead off the bottom of the first inning and scored on a sac-fly by Shubart to put the U.S. up 1-0.
• With the bases loaded, Mikey Romero sent a two-RBI double to left field to give Team USA a 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the second inning.
• A Brazilian error allowed two U.S. runs to score in the bottom of the second inning, extending the U.S. lead to 5-0.
• Brazil used a Team USA error to load the bases in the top of the third inning and a single to left field scored a run, making the score 5-1.
• Aidan Miller (Trinity, Fla.) made the final out with a catch in right field in the top of the seventh inning to solidify the 5-1 win for Team USA.
Notable Information
• Duke Ekstrom (1-0) struck out five batters in his winning performance over Brazil.
• Mikey Romero led the team offensively, going 1-for-4, with a two-RBI double.
• The U.S. stole six bases in the game, led by Termarr Johnson and Karson Bowen (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) with two stolen bases each.
Up Next
The USA Baseball 15U National Team will continue action at the 2019 WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier on Saturday, September 14 against Honduras at 8 a.m. CT on Field Two at Unidad Deportivo Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
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