MIAMI, Fla. - The 18U National Team used nine hits, including the team's first home run of training, to score seven runs and best St. Thomas University 7-4. The win marked the squad's third of training on Friday, November 16, at Paul Demie Mainieri Field in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The stars and stripes wasted no time jumping out to an early lead as Dylan Crews (Longwood, Fla.) walked before Bobby Witt Jr. (Colleyville, Texas) blasted a home run that hit off of the scoreboard in left-center field.
Not to be outdone, the Bobcats hit a two-run shot of their own to tie the game in the bottom of the first inning. Once again, the teams traded a pair of runs in the second inning after Corbin Carroll (Seattle, Wash.) scored on a wild pitch before STU scored on a single up the middle to even the score at three all.
After a scoreless third for both teams, the U.S. took a lead that they would not relinquish in the fourth when Pete Crow-Armstrong (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) scored on a sacrifice fly to right field to give Team USA the 4-3 lead.
In the fifth, Witt Jr. and Tyler Callihan (Neptune Beach, Fla.) began the inning with singles. With one out in the inning, Crow-Armstrong added another RBI to his resume when he punched a single into right field to score Witt Jr. Yohandy Morales (Miami, Fla.) scored on a wild pitch in the seventh to add to the lead.
STU scored in the eighth to cut the score to 6-4 before Logan Tanner (Lucedale, Miss.) scored in the ninth on a bases-loaded double play. With the game at 7-4, the team relied on Callihan to close the game and he did just that, collecting a 1-2-3 inning to earn the save.
Four players led the way for the U.S. with two hits apiece. Four players also notched an RBI to lead the team. Relief pitcher Sammy Faltine (Richmond, Texas) earned the win while punching out five batters in three innings.
Up next, the team will take on Canada at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday, November 17. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. ET.
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