CARY, N.C. – Game three of USA Baseball’s 2026 18U National Team Training Camp Phase 2 Stars vs. Stripes series saw Stars take a 4-2 victory over Stripes on Tuesday afternoon at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina. Stars move to 3-0 on the week after a 6-0 victory on Monday and 4-0 shutout win on Sunday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Stripes opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as Juan Diaz drew a walk to get on base before Broder Katke singled to left field to plate him and give Stripes a 1-0 lead.
- The second inning went scoreless before Stars took the lead in the third. Back-to-back walks opened the inning to put two runners aboard before Drake Hawpe singled to score the first run. Sebastian Wilson followed with a two-RBI single to give Stars a 3-1 advantage.
- Stripes got a run back in the fourth. Lubin Rincon led off with a single to right field before Malachi Butler drew a walk to put two runners on. As Rincon attempted to steal third, an errant throw by the Stars’ catcher allowed him to score, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
- Stars added an insurance run in the seventh. Taylor Dodd walked before Leo Nockley singled to move him over. Dodd later scored on an error by the Stripes’ second baseman to extend the Stars’ lead to 4-2.
- Stripes were unable to rally as Stars held on for the 4-2 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Hawpe and Rincon led all batters with two hits each.
- Sebastian Castillo, Diaz, Dodd, Hawpe, Rincon, and Dylan Seward each scored one run.
- Wilson led all batters with two RBIs.
- Justin Kirchner led all pitchers with seven strikeouts across 3.0 scoreless innings.
- Stars starting pitcher Brady Guzzie recorded five strikeouts in his three innings of work.
- Chase Fuller, Kirchner, Jake Turner, and Brogan Witcher each turned in scoreless outings.
ON DECK
- USA Baseball’s 2026 18U National Team Training Camp Phase 2 Stars vs. Stripes series will conclude on Wednesday morning at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, with first pitch set for 11:00 a.m. ET.
