PANAMA CITY – After playing three games in two days, Team USA is set to compete against tournament host Panama on their home turf Thursday Evening at Estadio Nacional Rod Carew.
The U.S. will wrap up pool play tonight and is currently tied for first place in Group A with Panama, as each team owns an unbeaten 4-0 record in the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier.
PITCHING MATCHUP
RHP Miles Lockridge (USA) vs. TBD (PAN)
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Panama is 4-0 and has outscored opponents 23-6 over four games. The team is currently coming off of a 6-3 victory over Nicaragua on Wednesday evening.
The team is led by Yuriel Garcia, Panama’s shortstop who is batting .300 with three RBIs and two extra-base hits. Panama has scored double-digits as a team once and has yet to collect double-digit hits as a team in a game. On the mound, Panama owns a 1.25 ERA as a staff and has tossed one shutout.
HISTORY AGAINST PANAMA
This will be the first time the 12U National Team has faced Panama since 2018, Team USA is unbeaten with a 5-0 record against this year’s tournament host. Panama was the first country the 12U National Team faced in international competition since its inception in 2013; Team USA won 2-0.
TEAM USA STAT LEADERS
HITS: Carlo Rivera (7)
RBIs: Carlo Rivero (7)
RUNS: Josh Pierre (10)
TB: Carlo Rivero (10)
BB: Daylon McCants, Joshua Park, Jayden Portes (2)
IP: Ethan Palacios (4.2)
K’s: Carson Schoener (9)
GROUP A STANDINGS
Panama (4-0)
United States (4-0)
Mexico (2-2)
Colombia (1-3)
Nicaragua (1-3)
Ecuador (0-4)
INSIDE THE ROSTER
The 2024 12U National Team features players from eight different states with more than half of the squad hailing from California or Florida, as those states boast five representatives apiece. Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Nevada, and Texas are responsible for the other eight players named. The 18-player roster features a range of bats offensively, as a third of the team bats left-handed while the squad proves its versatility on the mound with 13 players listed as viable arms. More information on the 2024 12U National Team roster can be found here.
AT THE HELM
Managing Team USA and at the forefront of the charge is Bryan Madsen, who will be making his first appearance as manager and second time on staff. Madsen previously helped lead the 2023 12U National Team to capturing gold in 2023. Assisting Madsen is Roger Wright, who will be on the 12U National Team staff for the second consecutive year. Making their first appearances as an assistant coach will be Josh Ellison and Wes Brooks; Brooks has made stints as 12U National Team Training Camp coach and as USA Baseball Task Force in the past while Ellison has helped coach in 2023 at 18U National Team Training Camp.
HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can watch the game here and also follow live stats, while highlights and updates can be found on the 12U National Team Twitter. The schedule can be found here.
SOCIAL MEDIA
To follow along with all the action with the 12U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball12U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
