TAICHUNG, Taiwan - The 2019 18U National Team lost in its final exhibition game 4-2 to Chinese Taipei at Taichung City Stadium on Tuesday, August 27. With the conclusion of 18U National Team Training, Team USA will now travel to Gijang, South Korea, and open play in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup against South Africa at 6 a.m. ET on Friday, August 30.

Austin Hendrick (Oakdale, Pa.), Tyler Soderstrom (Turlock, Calif.) and AJ Vukovich (Mukwonago, Wisc.) each collected multiple hits in the loss. Soderstrom was also responsible for both of Team USA's RBIs.

The U.S.'s starter Mick Abel (Portland, Ore.) did not allow a hit or an earned run in his three innings of work while walking two and striking out one. Kyle Harrison (Danville, Calif.) suffered the loss in the game after giving up three runs and two walks in one inning of work.

KEY MOMENTS

• A leadoff walk by Abel in the top of the first inning came around to score to give Chinese Taipei an early 1-0 lead in the game.
• A fielder's choice by Hunter Haas (Phoenix, Ariz.), and two singles from Hendrick and Vukovich loaded the bases in the bottom of the third inning for Team USA and Soderstrom used a two-RBI single to put the U.S. on top, 2-1.
• Chinese Taipei scored three in the top of the fourth to take back a 4-2 lead.
• The U.S. got runners on in each of the final six innings, including the ninth when Hendrick drew a walk and a single from Vukovich brought the winning run to the plate before Chinese Taipei was able to escape the jam with a flyout and a strikeout to defeat Team USA, 4-2.

NOTABLE INFORMATION

• Team USA finished 18U National Team Training with a 4-1 record.
• Vukovich led the team in batting average during training after hitting .471 while starting in all five games.
• Robert Hassell (Franklin, Tenn.) led the team in hits with nine in five exhibition games, including a team-high three triples.
• The loss was attributed to Harrison (0-1), who allowed three runs on three hits in one inning on the mound.

DUE UP

• Team USA will travel to Gijang, South Korea, on August 28 and open WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup play against South Africa on Friday, August 30, at 6 a.m. ET.

SOCIAL MEDIA

• Follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter for the most up-to-date information on the 18U National Team and 18U National Team Trials.