ATLANTA, Ga. – The 15U National Team is set to kick off a week of international competition this Sunday, September 8, beginning a five-game slate against Australia’s 16U National Team. The two nations will meet in games hosted at Auburn University, Clemson University, Georgia Highlands College, and Georgia Gwinnett College later in the week. Before its five-game series against Australia, Team USA will face the East Cobb Astros in a seven-inning scrimmage on Thursday, September 5.
LAST TIME OUT
The 15U National Team competed in a five-game International Friendly Series last summer in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, against the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Team USA swept its Latin American counterparts, going 5-0 and outscoring the competition, 47-5. The U.S. took down Puerto Rico in the title game, 12-3, to capture the International Friendly Series championship. Not only did the United States lead all teams in runs scored (47), but it also boasted a tournament-best ERA (1.16).
HISTORY AGAINST AUSTRALIA
This will be the 15U National Team’s first matchup against Australia since the program’s inception in 2012. Historically, the team is a perfect 16-0 when facing countries entirely, or partly in the Southern Hemisphere. In addition, this series rounds out a world tour for the 15U National Team and will be the sixth continent the squad has ever played against.
A TEAM BUILT ON SUCCESS
The 15U National Team has experienced unparalleled success since its inception in 2012. The program is currently riding a nine-game win streak, dating back to August 31, 2022, when the U.S. lost to Japan, 12-6, in a pool play game at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup. Over the past 12 years, the team has accumulated six gold medals, the most recent being in 2022 in which Team USA defeated Cuba, 4-3, in the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup gold medal game in Hermosillo, Mexico. Team USA is 36-4 in international competition since 2017, the best winning percentage (.900) second to the 12U National Team (.904) during that span. Notable alumni include: Anthony Volpe, Dylan Crews, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Hunter Greene, and Kyle Tucker.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Australia’s National U16 Junior Squad consists of a 44-player squad that will be split into a pair of teams to compete against the U.S. Five Australian states will be represented with New South Wales accounting for the most, featuring 14 players. Australia’s U18 Manager David Badke and Melbourne Ace coach Scott Meagher will manage the two squads.
INSIDE THE U.S. ROSTER
Six players for Team USA have accrued prior national team experience, including Andrew Jimenez, who makes back-to-back appearances for the 15U National Team. Ten different states including one U.S. territory will be representing the stars and stripes, with California leading all states with six players. In addition, five other players have prior national team experience including Chase Cotton, Jared Grindlinger, Jacob Seamon, and Isaac Vidal who all competed on the 2021 12U National Team. Meanwhile, Anthony Frausto III makes his second national team appearance as he was a part of the gold medal-winning 2022 12U National Team.
AT THE HELM
Leading the stars and stripes is nine-time USA Baseball coach and two-time 15U National Team Manager Rob Shabansky. Returning to the squad and joining Shabansky will be Pitching Coach Casey Scott. Derek Simmons, Duke assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, joins the staff for the second year in a row while two-time 15U National Team Assistant Coach Steve Butler rounds out the star-studded team.
HOW TO FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can follow live stats on Gamechanger while highlights and updates can be found on the 15U National Team Twitter. The games will also be live streamed to the USA Baseball YouTube channel.
SOCIAL MEDIA
To follow along with all the action with the 15U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball15U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
