MÉRIDA, Mexico – The US will play in its closing World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup Tremendous Spherical contest in opposition to Japan Saturday at 3:00 p.m. native/5:00 p.m. ET at Parque Kukulcán Alamo in Mérida, Mexico.
On the finish of Tremendous Spherical play on October 3, the 2 groups with the very best data will advance to the gold medal sport, which shall be performed on October 4. All workforce data and standings will be discovered HERE.
LAST TIME OUT
The US fell to Mexico, 7-1, in additional innings Friday evening on day two of the Tremendous Spherical. Workforce USA moved to 3-1 within the Tremendous Spherical and stays tied with Japan for first place within the standings. Raylen Hunter led the U.S. offense with a 2-for-4 efficiency, whereas Nate Handley-White and Lathan Boddie mixed to carry Mexico to at least one hit by six innings. Boddie struck out six over 4 hitless innings earlier than Mexico rallied late to win in extras.
PITCHING MATCHUP
LHP Soru Narukawa (JPN) vs. LHP Noah Osterman (USA)
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Japan is the defending World Cup champion and posted a 4-1 file within the Opening Spherical to safe a spot within the Tremendous Spherical, the place it’s tied with the US for first place with a 3-1 file. Japan has merely dominated its opponents within the match, as 4 of its six wins have been by double digits, whereas the opposite two have been wins by a one-run margin. Its solely loss got here to the Dominican Republic, 7-1.
As a workforce, Japan boasts a .371 common on the plate, strikes out lower than 5 instances a sport, and leads the match in stolen bases with 37. Japan is led by Soru Narukawa and Kengo Wada, each of whom lead the workforce in batting common and are hitting .500. 5 gamers are batting above .400, whereas its leadoff man, Takumi Ibata, leads the match in stolen bases with seven.
Its pitching workers is simply as sturdy, boasting a 2.00 ERA whereas holding opponents to a .184 batting common throughout 42.0 innings pitched. Japan has allowed the fewest free passes (18) whereas surrendering a mean of lower than 4 hits a sport.
Japan will begin left-handed pitcher Soru Narukawa in opposition to the U.S. Narukawa has made three appearances, one begin this week, and has but to permit successful or a run throughout 4.2 innings pitched. A 5-foot-7 southpaw, Narukawa has six strikeouts and solely two walks to his identify.
HISTORY AGAINST JAPAN
The 15U Nationwide Workforce is 3-1-1 all-time in opposition to Japan, with the groups first competing on the 2014 WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup.
Because the two groups first met in 2014, Workforce USA has outscored Japan 26-18. Throughout 5 contests, just one has been determined by three runs or fewer. Moreover, all 5 contests have been in a World Cup setting.
The US’ final loss in 24 video games got here in opposition to Japan in 2022. In that sport, Japan used a five-run third inning to energy previous the U.S., 12-6.
TEAM USA STAT LEADERS
- BA: Raylen Hunter (.577)
- HITS: Raylen Hunter (15)
- RBIs: Paxton Scoggin, Greyson Wuis (7)
- RUNS: Raylen Hunter (9)
- TB: Raylen Hunter (21)
- BB: Matti Di Maggio, Paxton Scoggin (6)
- SB: Tyler Early (6)
- IP: Lathan Boddie (7.1)
- ERA: Many tied (0.00)
- Ks: Lathan Boddie, Nate Handley-White, Michael Ohman (10)
SUPER ROUND STANDINGS
- Japan (3-1)
- United States (3-1)
- Chinese language Taipei (2-2)
- Dominican Republic (2-2)
- Mexico (2-2)
- Nicaragua (0-4)
INSIDE THE ROSTER
The 2026 roster options seven USA Baseball nationwide workforce alumni, with all seven having been on both the 2023 12U Nationwide Workforce World Cup Qualifier roster, World Cup roster, or each. Eleven gamers on the roster have participated in USA Baseball nationwide workforce improvement programming, whereas one participant boasts expertise in previous improvement occasions collectively hosted in partnership with Main League Baseball. Twelve states are represented on the 2026 15U Nationwide Workforce roster, with California main all states with 4 gamers, whereas Alabama follows with three gamers. Florida and Texas every boast a pair of athletes, whereas 9 states–Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wisconsin–every account for a participant apiece. Extra data on the 2026 15U Nationwide Workforce Roster will be discovered HERE.
AT THE HELM
The 2026 15U Nationwide Workforce shall be led by the identical teaching workers that guided final yr’s gold medal-winning squad. Three-time Workforce USA coach Casey Scott returns as supervisor for a second consecutive summer season, whereas two-time Workforce USA medalist and former 15U Nationwide Workforce supervisor Drew Briese serves as pitching coach. 4-time assistant coach Steve Butler returns to the dugout, and JD Pruitt will make his second straight stint as assistant coach. Extra data on the 2026 15U Nationwide Workforce teaching workers will be discovered HERE.
FOLLOW ALONG
To remain updated with the USA Baseball 15U Nationwide Workforce, observe together with @USABaseball15U on Twitter/X, and @USABaseball on Instagram. All video games shall be streamed on GameTime.Sport, whereas followers in the US also can view video games on BallySports.com or within the Bally Sports activities Reside app on the MiLB Channel and MiLB Further Channel. For extra data on the schedule together with stay statistics and streaming, go to HERE.
