15U: Team USA Cruises Past Costa Rica, 17-0, in Run-Rule Fashion

The U.S. remains at the top of the rankings as the only undefeated team in the tournament with a 3-0 record.

Bell’s outing was dominant on the bump as it provided Team USA with an early sense of security in the first two frames. The flamethrower tossed 14 pitches in the top of the first inning to strike out the side, helping the U.S. take early control of the game. Throughout his outing, the lefty used only 50 pitches to get through four innings of action with 32 landing for strikes. The only two batters to reach base in Bell’s outing came in the third inning via back-to-back walks. After that, Team USA’s defense held it down in the field and forced a double play to get out of the inning unscathed.

Team USA’s offensive attack was a group effort led by the bats of Cullen Scott and Nateo Victorio who each tallied four RBIs throughout the contest. Runs came in bursts for the U.S. as it scored 10 runs in the bottom of the third frame thanks in large part to two-RBI hits from Colin Anderson, Jason Marll Jr., and Scott. The group effort allowed the red, white, and blue to compile 15 RBIs in the contest.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Bell got the nod and was immaculate on the mound. The lefty struck out the side in the top of the first. After the U.S. failed to score in the bottom of the frame, Bell went back to work and struck out two more batters to halt the Costa Rican offense.
• Team USA loaded the bases in the bottom of the second and Victorio took full advantage of the opportunity. The catcher crushed a three-RBI triple to left center to give the U.S. its first lead. Tristin Gaines brought Victorio home shortly after on a sacrifice fly to center field which capped the run.
• With run support, Bell went back to work on the mound, carving up opposing batters in the top of the third. Bell notched two more strikeouts but yielded back-to-back walks to put a runner in scoring position. Victorio came up huge and caught a runner stealing to halt the threat.
• The floodgates opened in the bottom of the third as U.S. bats came alive in the inning. Noah Jarolimek got on base via a leadoff double and Anderson walked to put two runners on. With Jarolimek on third after stealing a base, Scott slapped an RBI single to begin the rally.
• Marll Jr. continued the rally in the bottom of the third and stayed hot when he drilled a two-RBI single to left center. Victorio notched his fourth RBI of the game right after with a single down the right field line.
• With Victorio on base and Anthony Frausto at third after being hit by a pitch in the at-bat prior, Gaines smacked an RBI single to extend the lead to nine runs. Anderson and Scott rounded out the onslaught of runs when each cracked a two-RBI single to give the U.S. sizable advantage.
• Now pitching in a favorable environment, Bell continued distributing damage to Costa Rica by tallying his eighth strikeout and inducing a double play to put forth another efficient inning.
• After making his way to first on a walk, Gaines rounded the bases and scored on a wild pitch to kick off the bottom of the fourth. Nate Malone drew a walk and scampered to second on a wild pitch, allowing Macgraw VanWormer to drive him home a pitch later. With two outs, Scott made his presence felt again with another RBI, this time a single to left center to push the lead to 17 runs.
• With a 17-run lead, VanWormer came on in relief and secured the final three outs to secure Team USA’s no-hit bid and preserve its unbeaten record.

NOTABLES

• Scott and Victorio led the way at the plate with four RBIs a piece. Scott also had a game-best three hits and is batting .800 through three games.
• Marll Jr. notched his fifth hit of the tournament which is tied for the highest mark at the 2025 WBSC U-15 Pan American Championship.
• With his outstanding performance on the mound, Bell now has the most strikeouts through one appearance at the event with eight.
• Gaines and Victorio lead all batters in the tournament with each owning five RBIs. Marll Jr. and Scott are right behind the two with each tallying four RBIs.

ON DECK
The 15U National Team is set to take on tournament-host Mexico on Wednesday to close out the opening round before the medal round is slated to begin. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MDT/9:00 p.m. EST at Estadio Juárez Vive in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.