BOCA CHICA, Dominican Republic – Team USA is set to face the Dominican Republic in the final pool play game of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Americas U-18 Pan-American Championship on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET. The match will take place at the IPL Academy in Boca Chica, with both teams entering the matchup undefeated.
In their last outing, Team USA dominated Curaçao, winning 19-2. The U.S. offense shone with 19 runs on 15 hits. Chase Fuller led the charge with four hits, while Sebastian Wilson contributed three hits and five RBIs. Despite Curaçao narrowing the score to a single run, Team USA erupted for 12 runs in the fourth inning, driven by Dylan Seward’s leadoff triple. They added four more runs in the fifth to seal the win.
Three U.S. pitchers combined to restrict Curaçao to just two runs on three hits. Connor Salerno recorded four strikeouts over two innings, while Justin Kirchner earned the win in his first appearance for Team USA. Drake Hawpe closed the game, needing only seven pitches to finish the win.
The Dominican Republic boasts a 2-0 record, with victories over Curaçao (13-8) and Brazil (11-4). Both of their matches faced delays, requiring them to be resumed the following day. The team has seen success largely due to standout players, including Ricki Moneys, a second baseman with the Milwaukee Brewers’ Rookie Affiliate, who leads the team in batting average. Additionally, their switch-hitting shortstop, recognized as a top international prospect for the 2027 class, is also among the team’s leading players.
Historically, Team USA has performed well against the Dominican Republic, holding a 5-0 record in their all-time encounters since their first meeting in 1987. In five games, the U.S. has outscored the Dominican Republic 65-23, surpassing ten runs in four matches. Their last matchup took place during the 2018 COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships, where Team USA won 13-6.
Notable statistical leaders for Team USA this tournament include Chase Fuller and Dylan Seward, both with a .667 batting average and four hits. Sebastian Wilson leads the team with five RBIs, while Sebastian Castillo has crossed the plate five times.
The coaching staff for Team USA includes Brian Schneider, making his managerial debut, and pitching coach Luke Gregerson, a former MLB reliever. Assistant coaches Doug Mientkiewicz and Tim Raines Jr. round out the team’s support staff.
Fans can follow the game live or access live statistics via the WBSC official website. For updates on Team USA, follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Instagram.
