BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic – The United States wraps up pool play against the host nation, Dominican Republic on day three of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Americas U-18 Pan-American Championship Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET at the IPL Academy in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic
LAST TIME OUT
Team USA cruised past Curaçao, 19-2, on Friday at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Americas U-18 Baseball Pan-American Championship, erupting for 19 runs on 15 hits. Chase Fuller led the way with four hits, while Sebastian Wilson recorded three hits and five RBIs. After Curaçao pulled within a run, the U.S. offense exploded for 12 runs on seven hits in the fourth inning, highlighted by a leadoff triple from Dylan Seward, before adding four more runs in the fifth to secure the victory.
Three pitchers combined to limit Curaçao to two runs on three hits. Connor Salerno struck out four batters over 2.0 innings, while Justin Kirchner earned the win in his pitching debut for Team USA, fanning four across 2.0 innings. Drake Hawpe closed out the victory in the seventh, needing just seven pitches to seal the win.
PITCHING MATCHUP
TBD (DOM) vs. RHP George Ferguson (USA)
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
The Dominican Republic is 2-0 after defeating Curaçao, 13-8, and beating Brazil 11-4. Due to time restrictions, both of the Dominican Republic’s pool play games were suspended and had to be resumed the following day, including its game against Brazil which concluded this morning.
The nation has compiled 12 hits as a team across two games, however, its lineup is top-heavy. At the top of the lineup, the squad has a pair of highly-touted international prospects. Starting second baseman and Milwaukee Brewer’s Rookie Affiliate Ricki Moneys leads the team in batting average. Switch-hitting shortstop and top international prospect in the 2027 international class (Baseball America) is also among the team’s best bats and gloves.
HISTORY AGAINST DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The 18U National Team is 5-0 all-time against the Dominican Republic, first meeting in 1987 at the World Junior Championship. Over five meetings, Team USA has outscored the Dominican Republic 65-23, has scored double digits on four occasions, while only one contest was decided by fewer than seven runs. Additionally, this will be the fourth time the two nations have met in a Pan-American qualifier.
The U.S. and Dominican Republic have only played three times in the past 25 years and have not met since the 2018 COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships. In the last meeting–also a game between the two undefeated teams in pool play–the United States topped the Dominican Republic, 13-6, behind three-hit days from Tyler Callihan and Anthony Volpe, and homers from Riley Greene and Bobby Witt Jr.
TEAM USA STAT LEADERS
- BA: Chase Fuller, Dylan Seward (.667)
- HITS: Chase Fuller, Dylan Seward (4)
- RBI’s: Sebastian Wilson (5)
- RUNS: Sebastian Castillo (5)
- TB: Chase Fuller, Dylan Seward (6)
- BB: Sebastian Castillo (3)
- SB: Lubin Rincon (2)
- IP: Samir Mohammed (3.0)
- ERA: Many tied (0.00)
- K’s: Samir Mohammed (5)
GROUP A STANDINGS - ALL STANDINGS
- United States (2-0)
- Dominican Republic (2-0)
- Brazil (0-2)
- Curaçao (0-2)
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.
