U-23 Men’s National Team splits exhibition game series against Team Canada following back-to-back doubleheaders in Vero Beach, Florida

VERO BEACH, Fla. – In effort to strengthen its resume of international competition, the first-ever U-23 Men’s National Team (MNT) took on Team Canada in a series of exhibition contests held at Jackie Robinson Training Complex (JRTC) over the last two days. Finishing with a 2-2 record, Team USA got off to a slow start with two losses on Sunday, April 9 before bouncing back with two wins on Monday, April 10 to even the series and finish out the competition strong.  

The U.S. struck first in game one against the Canadian Men’s National Team on Sunday afternoon with a three-run fourth inning, but a late rally and solid defense from Canada kept the Eagles off the board through the remainder of the game as Team USA recorded its first loss of the series, 7-3. Quickly falling behind in game two, the U.S. responded with a pair of runs in the top of the third before a seven-spot from Team Canada in the bottom of the frame broke the game open. Continuing to chip away, Team USA pushed a combined three runs in the fourth and fifth innings but the Canada lead proved to be superior as the U.S. suffered its second loss of the day, 12-5. 

Coming out strong on day two, the U.S. held the Canadian offense to six runs while scoring seven of its own – including a six-run seventh inning – allowing the Red, White and Blue to clinch its first win of the series in the close-fought battle. Finding its groove on Monday afternoon, Team USA continued to dominate in game two, plating seven runs in the first three innings before doubling that in the fourth to put the Eagles ahead 14-6. The U.S. would tack on an additional two runs in the top of the sixth inning before keeping the Canada offense scoreless through its final two at-bats to even the series and close out the competition with a 16-6 victory. 

Through four competitions, the U.S. offense combined for a .239 batting average and five home runs while the pitching staff of Cody Gibbons, Alex Ibarra, Brad Kilpatrick and Bryce TeKulve held the Canadian offense to a .298 batting average with 26 strikeouts through 30 innings pitched. 

Led by Tim Lyon in his seventh stint as head coach for the MNT program, the 15-player U-23 MNT roster marked the first of its division in USA Softball history with five members joining Team USA for the first time in their careers while 10 veterans returned to the Red, White and Blue after competing in previous seasons. Assistant coaches Tommy Crouch, Mike Hopkins and Chase Turner also stepped into their first season on a U.S. MNT coaching staff, helping lead the team in the exhibition contests against Team Canada, which took place thanks to funds raised by the U-23 MNT program throughout the last three years.  

Athletes selected to the U-23 MNT are part of the USA Softball athlete pool, having attended previous softball camps and clinics, league softball events and/or attended events coordinated by USA Softball. 

To learn more about the USA Softball Men’s National Team, visit USASoftball.com.