FORT MYERS, Fla. – 18U National Team Training Camp rolls on with game two of the four-game Stars vs. Stripes series on Wednesday morning at the Lee County Sports Complex. First pitch is set for 11:30 a.m. ET.
It's the second game of the series after the Stars and Stripes tied in the series opener on Tuesday.
ON THE MOUND
Stars: Christian Rodriguez, Alex Clemmey, Chance Fitzgerald, Gabe Gaeckle, Charlee Soto
Stripes: Cameron Johnson, Blake Dickerson, Parker Detmers, Bryce Eldridge
LAST TIME OUT
The series kicked off on Tuesday afternoon with a 1-1 tie. Both starting pitchers – Jake Brown for the Stars and Matthew Dallas for the Stripes – pitched four scoreless innings and allowed just two hits. Dallas had a game-high six strikeouts, while Brown punched out four batters. Overall, pitchers from both sides combined to strike out 21 batters.
Camden Kozeal had the best day at the plate of the two squads, going 2-for-2 with a walk. The Stripes also got hits from Jonny Farmelo and Roman Martin, while Gavin Grahovac, RJ Hamilton, and Kevin McGonigle picked up hits for the Stars. Aidan Miller’s sac fly drove in the Stars only run, and Martin plated the Stripes run with an RBI infield single.
INSIDE THE ROSTER
The 41-man Training Camp roster features players from 20 different states. Athletes were selected to compete at Training Camp after participating in one of USA Baseball’s identification events, including the Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League and the 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP). Seven players on the Training Camp roster have previously played for Team USA, including 2021 18U National Team members Walker Jenkins and Blake Mitchell. Danny Arambula, Colt Emerson, Gavin Grahovac, Aidan Miller, and Bryce Rainer have also played for the stars and stripes.
MEET THE STAFF
The 2022 18U National Team will be managed by Denny Hocking, who brings 13 years of major league playing experience to the role. After spending 11 seasons with the Minnesota Twins and a season with both the Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals, Hocking has spent time as an analyst and a coach in the professional ranks. In addition, he was a manager at the 2021 PDP League and 18U National Team Trials. Hocking will be joined on staff by pitching coach Adam Moseley and assistants Roberto Vaz and Jack Wilson.
TRAINING CAMP COACHES
The 18U National Team Training Camp coaching staff brings a bevy of international and professional playing experience. Olympic gold medalist Doug Mientkiewicz will serve as manager of the Stars and is joined by Andre Butler and Brad Penny. Two-time MLB All-Star and 15-year vet Michael Cuddyer will manage the Stripes, with Butch Chaffin and LaTroy Hawkins joining on staff.
CHASING GOLD
The 18U National Team won eight consecutive international tournament titles from 2011-2018, including winning four straight WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cups in 2012, 2013, 2015, and 2017. Currently the U.S. and Cuba are the only two countries to win four consecutive world championship titles at the U-18 level. In total, the program has won eight world championships. The U.S. most recently earned a silver medal at the 2019 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Gijang, South Korea.
SOCIAL MEDIA
To follow along with all the action at the 18U National Team Training Camp, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
