BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic – The United States (3-0) wraps up play at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Americas U-18 Pan-American Championship on Thursday with a doubleheader against Panama (1-3) and Venezuela (3-1) at 8:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. ET, respectively, at the IPL Academy in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. The team with the best Super Round record at the conclusion of the tournament will be crowned champion.
LAST TIME OUT
Samir Mohammed tossed a complete game, and the United States cruised to a 16-1 victory over Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Team USA scored 16 runs on 10 hits, highlighted by a seven-run fourth inning, while Broder Katke led the offense with two hits and three RBIs. After allowing one run in the first inning, Mohammed settled in to finish his 5.0 outing with six strikeouts and just one run allowed.
PITCHING ROTATION
Game 1 - RHP Ethan Gustus
Game 2 - RHP George Ferguson
HISTORY AGAINST PANAMA
The 18U National Team has a storied history against Panama. Besides Canada, the program has not played any nation more than it has competed against Panama, owning a 26-2 all-time against the nation. The two teams first met at the 1987 World Junior Championships, with Team USA winning 9-3.
These two teams have played six times since 2022, more than any other nation during that stretch. Across those six games, the United States has outscored Panama by a 40-9 margin, including two gold-medal game victories. The U.S. is riding a 23-game winning streak, with its last loss coming in 1999.
Team USA last played Panama in the opening game of the 2025 World Cup held in Japan. In that contest, the United States beat Panama, 9-0, behind a three-hit performance from Aiden Ruiz and 4.0 innings of shutout ball thrown from Gio Rojas.
HISTORY AGAINST VENEZUELA
The 18U National Team is 18-3 all-time against Venezuela, first meeting at the 1992 World Junior Championships in Monterrey, Mexico. The U.S. is currently riding a 12-game win streak against Venezuela, with its last loss coming in the 2000 Junior Pan American Games. Since 2000, Team USA has outscored Venezuela by a 105-38 margin, while five of those contests were decided by three runs or fewer.
Team USA last played Venezuela at the 2024 World Cup Americas Qualifier held in Panama City, Panama. In that contest, the United States beat Venezuela, 6-0, behind a multi-hit effort from Eli Willits and a combined shutout from Aiden Stillman, Jordan Martin, Austin Weiss, and Cooper Rummel.
TEAM USA STAT LEADERS
- BA: Chase Fuller (.533)
- HITS: Chase Fuller (8)
- RBIs: Sebastian Wilson (11)
- RUNS: Sebastian Castillo, Chase Fuller, Drake Hawpe (8)
- TB: Chase Fuller, Sebastian Wilson (11)
- BB: Sebastian Castillo, Drake Hawpe, Broder Katke (5)
- SB: Sebastian Castillo, Lubin Rincon, Dylan Seward (2)
- IP: Samir Mohammed (8.0)
- Ks: Samir Mohammed (11)
SUPER ROUND STANDINGS - ALL STANDINGS
- United States (3-0)
- Venezuela (3-1)
- Puerto Rico (2-1)
- Dominican Republic (1-3)
- Panama (1-3)
- Nicaragua (1-3)
INSIDE THE ROSTER
The 2026 roster features Isaac Vidal, who will appear on a USA Baseball national team for the third time, in addition to 15U National Team alums Cooper Collins and Samir Mohammed. Nine players on the roster have participated in USA Baseball national team development programming, while four players have participated in a past development event jointly hosted in partnership with Major League Baseball. Additionally, top ranked 2027 MLB Draft prospects Dylan Seward (No. 3), Malachi Butler (No. 8), and George Ferguson (No. 16), and Lubin Rincon (No. 20) are featured on the roster. More information on the 2026 18U National Team Roster can be found HERE.
AT THE HELM
The 2026 18U National Team is led by Team USA alum and 13-year major leaguer Brian Schneider, who makes his managerial debut with the program. Alongside Schneider is 11-year MLB reliever and two-time Team USA alum Luke Gregerson, who will serve as pitching coach. Former professionals Doug Mientkiewicz and Tim Raines Jr. round out the staff as assistant coaches.
FOLLOW ALONG
To stay up to date with the USA Baseball 18U National Team, follow along with @USABaseball18U on Twitter/X, and @USABaseball on Instagram. For more information on the schedule including live statistics and streaming, visit HERE.
