WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Despite falling behind early, Team USA powered past Canada 6-2 in the sixth game of National Team Training on Monday, November 19, at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The win marks the fifth during training for the squad and the second over Canada. The U.S. also took down Canada 8-3 on Saturday, November 17.
In the top of the first, Canada jumped out to its only lead of the game when a ground ball to shortstop scored a runner at third. The U.S. would blank Canada until they added one more run in the top of the ninth.
After two scoreless innings to begin the game, Team USA knotted it up at one apiece in the third when Yohandy Morales (Miami, Fla.) scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by C.J. Abrams (Alpharetta, Ga.).
The stars and stripes kept the bats hot in the bottom of the fourth, scoring two as Riley Greene (Oviedo, Fla.) crossed the plate on a wild pitch before Dylan Crews (Longwood, Fla.) scored on a sacrifice fly from Anthony Volpe (Watchung, N.J.). Greene added another run in the sixth inning after Austin Hendrick (Oakdale, Pa.) singled to right field. Volpe and Corbin Carroll (Seattle, Wash.) each added a run in the seventh to make the final score 6-2.
Starting pitcher Jared Kelley (Refugio, Texas) threw four innings for Team USA, earning the win and striking out six. Ryan Hawks (Bowling Green, Ky.) was solid in relief pitching an additional four innings and punching out six more. Greene led the team with three hits and added two runs.
Up next, the squad will close National Team Training on Tuesday, November 20, as they take on the South Florida High School All-Stars at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. ET.
Following the conclusion of Tuesday's game, USA Baseball will announce the final 20-man roster that will travel to Panama for the 2018 COPABE U-18 Pan-American Championships.
Continue to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and visit USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date news about the 18U National Team.
