PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. - Top Tier Roos Americans held on to an early lead on the back of a strong pitching performance by Adam Fischel to capture their first USA Baseball 15U National Team Championships (East) title with a 6-2 victory over the MVP Banditos. Fischel pitched 5.2 shutout innings, while giving up only 3 hits and striking out 3 batters.
Top Tier Roos Americans got on the board early in the first inning when Jackson Miller scored off a single by Jordan Daphney. The scoring continued as Top Tier Roos Americans added two more runs in the third inning to extend their lead over the MVP Banditos after an error by the second baseman and Blake Wright's single to left.
Top Tier Roos Americans added a couple of insurance runs in the sixth inning when PJ Stoyan slammed a two-RBI double to left field bringing Tony Watson and Matthew Sullivan home and increasing its lead to 6-0.
The MVP Banditos tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring two runs off two passed balls. They continued to put pressure on the Top Tier Roos American and managed to bring the tying run to the plate, but their comeback effort fell short as Steven Hotinski closed out the game for Top Tier Roos Americans, securing the gold medal.
Both teams ended the tournament with a 6-1 record. The MVP Banditos finished the tournament with 46 hits and 63 RBIs, both of which ranked second in the tournament.
Top Tier Roos Americans pitching was dominant throughout the 15U National Team Championship (East) including a no-hitter by Hinchliffe. Additionally, Fischel, Stoyan, Sullivan and Trey Hinchliffe cumulatively held a 0.00 ERA.
