GAMEDAY: Team USA To Play Nicaragua on Day Two of World Cup Qualifier

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PANAMA CITY – After inclement weather postponed Team USA's opener Sunday afternoon, the 12U National Team looks to kick off the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-12 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier with better luck this morning against Nicaragua.

First pitch is set to be thrown at 10:30 a.m. local/11:30 a.m. ET at Estadio Municipal Andy Alonso.

PITCHING MATCHUP

TBD (USA) vs. TBD (NCA)

HISTORY AGAINST NICARAGUA

Team USA is facing Nicaragua for the first time since 2018 and is 4-2 all-time against the squad. In its last matchup against Nicaragua, the 12U National team notched a double-digit shutout, 15-0, in the COPABE U-12 Pan Am Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Team USA has outscored Nicaragua 64-19 over the last six matchups.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Nicaragua is coming off an opening game loss after falling to Mexico, 3-1, in the first game played at Estadio Nacional Rod Carew Sunday morning. Despite carrying a 1-0 lead and a no-hit bid into the sixth frame, Nicaragua ultimately fell after a two-out, three-run home run was launched over the left field wall for Mexico’s first and only hit of the contest.

At the plate, the club is led by Carlos Acosta, who picked up a pair of free passes and hit the game-winning home run. The arms of Damien Portillo and Yadier Nava allowed only one run on four hits throughout six frames while Nicaragua committed no errors in the field.

GROUP A STANDINGS

Mexico (1-0)

Colombia (0-0)

Ecuador (0-0)

Panama (0-0)

United States (0-0)

Nicaragua (0-1)

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.

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