BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic – The United States is set to compete against Curaçao on the second day of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Americas U-18 Pan-American Championship pool play Friday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. ET at the IPL Academy in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.
LAST TIME OUT
The United States rode a dominant performance from its pitching staff to shut out Brazil, 4-0, in its opening game of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Americas U-18 Baseball Pan-American Championship on Thursday at the IPL Academy. Team USA scored three runs over the first two innings, with Lubin Rincon driving in the tournament’s first run with a sacrifice fly in the first. Jack Swanson added an insurance run with a pinch-hit RBI in the sixth, while Dylan Seward and Drake Hawpe paced the offense with two hits apiece.
Four pitchers combined to secure the shutout, carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh inning. Starter Samir Mohammed tossed 3.0 hitless innings with five strikeouts, and Ethan Gustus followed with two hitless innings and three strikeouts to earn the win. Jake Ivey added a strikeout in one inning of work before Brogan Witcher closed out the win in the seventh.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Due to time restrictions, Curaçao and the Dominican Republic were unable to finish their first pool play contest, where the score currently sits at 13-7 in favor of the Dominican Republic. Play was suspended after Curaçao scored five runs in the top of the fifth inning. That game will resume following the conclusion of Curaçao’s game against the United States.
HISTORY AGAINST CURAÇAO
This will be the first time the 18U National Team has competed against Curaçao.
TEAM USA STAT LEADERS
- BA: Drake Hawpe, Dylan Seward (.667)
- HITS: Drake Hawpe, Dylan Seward (2)
- RBI’s: Lubin Rincon, Jack Swanson (2)
- RUNS: Drake Hawpe (2)
- TB: Drake Hawpe (3)
- BB: Many tied (1)
- SB: Lubin Rincon, Dylan Seward (1)
- IP: Samir Mohammed (3.0)
- ERA: Many tied (0.00)
- K’s: Samir Mohammed (5)
GROUP A STANDINGS - ALL STANDINGS
- United States (1-0)
- Curaçao (0-0)
- Dominican Republic (0-0)
- Brazil (0-1)
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.
