CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Mexico – Team USA had a strong start on Wednesday night in its matchup against Mexico, leading 3-0 through three innings of play in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Pan American Championship. With the score in the United States’ favor, the stars and stripes looked to build on early momentum set by starting pitcher Gavin Chakar. However, heavy rain forced an unexpected interruption and halted the game for over an hour. As the weather cleared and the playing conditions were evaluated, the field was deemed unplayable and the matchup rescheduled for tomorrow, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the continuation of what was shaping up to be an exciting contest.

The game will resume tomorrow at noon and pick up where it left off in the bottom of the third. At the time of stoppage, the U.S. was up 3-0 in the bottom of the third with one out. The contest will also serve as the gold medal game of the event.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Mexico had runners on the corners in the top of the first inning after a throwing error and a bloop single, which threatened an early deficit for the U.S. starting pitcher. Chakar eventually settled the defense down with back-to-back strikeouts to get out of the inning unscathed.
• Macgraw VanWormer gave Chakar some run support when he blasted a triple to left center field. He later came home on a wild pitch to give the U.S. a one-run lead after one inning.
• Still on fire from atop the bump, Chakar went back to work in the top of the second inning. He induced a groundout, fly out, and registered his third strikeout of the night to keep Mexico scoreless.
• Noah Jarolimek led off the bottom of the second inning for Team USA and got on base via a two-strike single up the middle. He advanced to third quickly after a balk and a stolen base. Despite having a runner at third, the U.S. was unable to capitalize after hitting into a double play.
• The top of the third inning saw Chakar continue to anchor the defense. He produced a 1-2-3 inning after inducing two ground outs and a fly out to keep Team USA up by a run.
• The U.S. offense began to pick up in the bottom of the third frame after Tristin Gaines led off the inning with a double. Landon King brought him home in the next at-bat on a hard-hit sacrifice fly. VanWormer followed with his second hit of the night and Colin Anderson moved him to third on a double that hit the outfield wall. Louis Lappe capped the run when he smacked an RBI single to score Vanwormer and extend Team USA’s lead to 3-0.
• Weather began to play a factor for opposing pitchers, leading to a bases-loaded situation for the U.S. bats. The game was postponed shortly after.

NOTABLES

• At the time of stoppage, VanWormer had a game-high two hits.
• King and Lappe each cracked an RBI in the contest while the third run scored via wild pitch.
• On the mound, Chakar was lights out, yielding just one hit while striking out three batters.

ON DECK

The 15U National Team will pick back up tomorrow at noon against Mexico. The game will resume where it left off, in the bottom of the third inning with Team USA up 3-0. The contest will serve as the gold-medal contest as well.