CARY, N.C. - Maverek Russell went 2-for-3 with two base hits, an RBI, and two runs scored as Alpha Prime (5-1-0) took down PRD (4-2-0), 7-5, in the gold medal game at the 16U National Team Championships in North Carolina.

With the win, Alpha Prime collected its second gold medal at the National Team Championships in North Carolina, as the program won gold at the 15U level in 2022.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• PRD jumped out to an early lead in the top of the opening inning. After two walks put runners on, Finn Whipple singled to left and sent the first run of the game across the plate.
• Alpha Prime was able to respond in the bottom of the first with three runs of its own. Brock Sell drew the leadoff walk and was sent in to score after Mason Pike ripped a triple off of the right field wall. Russell and Troy Ueltzen each followed up with RBI singles to knot the score at 3-1 after one inning of play.
• The next three innings were a pitcher’s duel, with the two teams combining for just one hit and no runs. 
• In the top of the fifth, PRD center fielder Griffin Enis drew a bases-loaded walk that scored a run and cut the lead down to one. 
• PRD stormed back in the top of the sixth inning. Whipple hit a leadoff single and was joined on the base path by Thomas O'Connell, who reached on a fielding error. Two consecutive sac bunts from Benjamin Peterson and Kaden Hathaway followed by an Alpha Prime fielding error awarded PRD a 5-3 lead.
• Alpha Prime was able to summon its own offense and take the lead back in the top of the seventh inning. Russell, Blair, and Alonzo Alvarez each recorded singles to load the bases before a walk and a hit batter allowed two runs to come in to tie the game. Gage Thompson then stepped to the plate and ripped a single that eventually landed him on third base and scored two runs after a fielding error by PRD.
• Ueltzen was able to shut the door on the mound in the top of the seventh and secure the victory and the gold medal for Alpha Prime. 

NOTABLE STATS

• Alpha Prime starter Joseph Moreno struck out four batters while allowing three hits in 4.1 innings on the mound.
• Ueltzen did it all for Alpha Prime, going 1-for-2 with a single and two RBIs while also recording a strikeout in 1.2 scoreless innings pitched. 
• Enis led the PRD offense, going 2-for-3 with a single, double, and an RBI.
• PRD reliever Garrett Mirel threw three scoreless innings, allowing no hits and collecting two punch outs.

Alpha Prime’s gold medal victory concludes action at the 2023 16U National Team Championships in North Carolina.