CARY, N.C. - MVP Hustle used a strong offensive showing to power past Top Tier Americans, 11-2, to earn a spot in the championship game of the 2019 11U Futures Invitational at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, North Carolina on Friday.
Alexander Mercurius earned the win on the mound for MVP Hustle (4-0) after allowing two runs in 5.2 innings of work. Top Tier Americans' (3-1) starting pitcher, Kruz Schoolcraft, suffered the loss after surrendering six runs in two innings.
Brayden Gutierrez led MVP Hustle at the plate, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs and scoring a pair of runs. Luis Mejia pace Top Tier Americans with two hits, while Brayden Waggoner and Christopher Sampson scored a run apiece.
Key Moments:

• MVP Hustle jumped out to an early lead after Gavin Fien hit an RBI-double before scoring on a single by Braden Gutierrez in the top of the first. MVP Hustle added two more runs in the inning to take a 4-0 lead.
• Gavin Fien continued the fast start for MVP Hustle with an RBI-triple before Brayden Gutierrez brought him home with a sacrifice fly to give the MVP hustle a 6-0 lead in the second.
• Top Tier Americans got on the board in the bottom of the fourth after Brayden Waggoner and Luis Mejia scored on an error by MVP Hustle to cut the lead to 5-2.
• MVP Hustle added five runs in the top of the sixth, highlighted by a two-RBI single by Anthony Del Angel, before holding the Top Tier Americans scoreless to earn the 11-2 win.

• Alexander Mercurius (1-0) earned the win on the mound for MVP Huster after allowing two runs in 5.2 innings.
• Kruz Schoolcraft (0-1) suffered the loss after surrendering six runs in two innings.
• MVP Hustle punched its ticket to Sunday's championship game with the win and will face of Banditos Black.
• Top Tier Americans will take on San Diego Show in the bronze medal game on Sunday.

• The Futures Invitational will conclude on Sunday at Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, North Carolina.
• The final day of play is highlighted by a championship and bronze medal game and will also feature six consolation games.
• USA Baseball will stream two games on USABaseball.com on Saturday, beginning with the bronze medal game at 8:30 a.m. and the championship game at 11:15 a.m. Fans can watch the games live here or by visiting USA Baseball on Facebook.

• Stay tuned to @USABFutures on Twitter and visit USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date news about the Futures Invitational.