Cary, North Carolina - The second day of the 2024 15U/16U National Team Identification Series (NTIS) followed up Friday’s slate of games with even more excitement, as the 24 teams in the field continued to compete for spots in Sunday’s medal games.

ASUMA GOES YARD AS PART OF NINE-RUN OUTBURST

Noah Asuma crushed the first home run of the day on Coleman Field, blasting a solo shot for one of nine runs scored by the Midwest Stripes’ 16U side in a 9-2 win over the Northwest Stripes.

ELLIS’ RBI’S DECISIVE IN NORTHEAST STARS’ CLOSE WIN

The Northeast Stars’ 15U side edged out the South Stars 6-5 in a thrilling matchup during the early going, with the Northeast Stars led by a pair of late RBIs off the bat of Austin Ellis.

MORIO’S LATE SINGLE LIFTS MIDWEST STARS

With the score deadlocked at 2-2 in the fifth inning, Beau Morio’s two-RBI single blasted into left field and handed the 16U Midwest Stars a 4-2 lead. That would grow into a 5-2 advantage before the end of the inning, with the Midwest Stars able to close the game out for a win over the Northeast Stripes.

WENINGER, YOON HELP NORTHEAST STRIPES TOP SOUTH STRIPES IN BARNBURNER

Another thrilling 15U matchup took place between the Northeast Stripes and the South Stripes, with the Northeast Stripes emerging victorious by a score of 10-8. The South Stripes initially took a 5-1 lead, only for the Northeast Stripes to score five straight runs and pull ahead 6-5. South Stripes plated three runs to restore the lead, only for Northeast to have the final say with four straight runs to close the game. Ben Weninger and Cayden Yoon led the way for the Northeast Stripes, with both hitters collecting a pair of RBIs apiece.

BIG HITS EARLY CARRY SOUTH STRIPES OVER SOUTHWEST STRIPES

Michael Chin cracked a homer off of the foul pole for one of three first-inning runs scored by the 16U South Stripes, setting the tone for a big shutout win by the South Stripes. Marcus Cantu and Tanner Drda raked doubles in the second inning, helping power the victors to an early 6-0 lead they never looked back with.

SOUTHWEST STRIPES PLATE TWO IN THE FIRST, PROTECT LEAD FOR THE WIN

Logan Osmundson’s two-RBI single drilled into the outfield in the top of the first inning was the deciding play for the Southwest Stripes’ 15U squad, scoring both of the team’s runs in a 2-1 victory over the Northeast Stripes. The Southwest defense was in lockdown form as well, protecting the lead over all seven innings by allowing just a single run in return.

SOUTHEAST STARS CRUISE AGAINST SOUTH STARS IN THE AFTERNOON

The South Stripes weren’t the only team to reach double-digit runs in a big win in the afternoon, as the Southeast Stars’ 16U side cruised to a big win of its own over the South Stars. An RBI double from States Farr and an RBI single from Cooper Gornet scored two of three runs in the bottom of the second inning to ignite the offense.

MIDWEST STRIPES EARN SECOND WIN OF THE DAY THANKS TO TWO-WAY PLAY

Jory Crocker slashed a two-RBI single in the second inning as the 16U Midwest Stripes took a 4-2 win over the Southeast Stars, with an early 3-0 lead proving to be the key to the game. The Midwest Stripes’ 16U unit allowed just two runs in both of the team’s wins on the day while scoring 11 total runs.

BADGER, DAVIS LEAD NORTHWEST STARS IN 10-4 EVENING WIN

Jack Badger and Christien Davis both smacked RBI singles to open the scoring for the 16U Northwest Stars in what proved to be a 10-4 win over the Northeast Stripes, sparking the offense in the bottom of the third inning.

MCMILLAN SHINES ON THE MOUND FOR NORTHWEST STARS IN WIN

Gavin McMillan tossed five shutout innings in a stellar display on the mound to end the day as the 15U Northwest Stars downed the Southeast Stripes 3-1. While McMillan held the Southeast Stripes offense at bay, his offense got the job done early. Jacoby Pitnikoff led the way, cracking a two-RBI triple deep into the outfield as part of three-run first inning that proved decisive for the Northeast Stars.

TILLER SPARKS MASSIVE THIRD INNING FOR MIDWEST STARS

With the 15U Midwest Stars trailing the Southeast Stars 3-1 in the bottom of the third inning, Xander Tiller blasted a two-RBI triple to ignite a 12-run explosion for the Midwest Stars as the team surged ahead. Tiller's side would tack on two more runs, earning a 15-3 victory in the final matchup of the night.