CARY, N.C. - In a back-and-forth game, the Stars came up with two runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk-off the Stripes, 4-3, at Field 3 of the National Training Complex on Sunday.
After taking a 3-2 lead in the ninth, a pair of errors allowed the final two runs to cross. The contest featured just eight hits combined between the two teams.
The Stripes almost put a run on the board in the top of the first, as a pair of two-out walks to Dylan Crews and Jordan Lawlar put traffic on the basepaths. Jesse Herrera singled up the middle, but Crews was thrown out at the plate by Petey Halpin.
In the bottom of the frame, the Stars put a pair of runners in scoring position, but Stripes starter Joe Dixon came up big, fanning Hunter Teplansky to end the threat.
Stars starter Philip Abner found trouble again in the second, as three walks and a hit-by-pitch with two outs allowed the first run of the game to cross.
Miles Halligan came in to replace Abner with two outs and the bases loaded in the third and got out of the inning after Tanner Witt got picked off at second on a ball that trickled passed catcher Jayden Melendez.
Dixon got through 3.0 innings for the Stripes, allowing no hits and no runs. He walked three and struck out two.
The Stars got on the board in the bottom of the fourth after Christian Moore doubled on a line drive to left, scoring Teplansky after a leadoff walk to tie the game.
The Stripes responded in the top of the fifth by loading the bases with one out. Jabin Trosky deposited a run, grounding into a fielder's choice before Rawley Hector grounded out to end the half with the score at 2-1.
After allowing the run in the fourth, Landen Looper got through the next two innings untouched. Looper allowed the one run on only two hits and two walks, striking out three.
Halligan did his best to match Looper, tossing 4.1 innings in relief, allowing just one run on one hit and two walks.
A Caleb Lomavita RBI-single added some insurance for the Stripes after another pair of two-out walks and a steal of third allowed the run to score easily, putting them up 3-1 late.
In the bottom, the Stars answered with a run with a pair of singles by Teplansky and Ian Moller. Christian Moore grounded out to shortstop Robert Moore with one away, allowing the run to score. Jonathon Cymrot lined a ball to right with two down looking to tie the game, but Matthew Bardowell made a stellar diving catch to save the Stripes lead going into the ninth.
After going down quietly in the top, the Stripes defense came out in the bottom behind Tanner Witt, who was seeking the save. A pair of walks allowed runners to reach, and when Lomavita threw the ball into right after Marcelo Mayer attempted to steal third, the tying run scored.
After another walk, Hunter Haas found himself too far off third. Lomavita short-hopped the throw to third. The ball bounced wildly and Haas came in for the walk-off victory to tie the series at 1-1.
"The players hung around and made some plays defensively when we needed them to to give us a chance at the end," Stars Manager Jayson King said. "Our guys stayed in it for nine innings and that's a good trait to have."
The 16U NTDP will be back in action Monday when the Stripes will take on the 15U National Team at Coleman Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed live on the USA Baseball Facebook page.