USA sweep Baseball International Friendship Series against Chinese Taipei
Alabama's State head coach José Vazquez led a roster of sophomores, including three freshmen, to five consecutive wins. University of Georgia's Charlie Condon earned the 46th Golden Spikes Award.
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<p>The United States Collegiate National Team swept Chinese Taipei in the five-game International Friendship Series.</p>
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<p>The US won the first game in Fayetteville, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="5-4 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/upload/opprops/uqswcnb2rgdlfkb27seo.pdf" target="_blank">5-4</a>, on June 29. Left fielder Nolan Schubart had a four-RBI game. Reliever Nelson Kelio pitched 1.2 innings to earn the win.</p>
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<p>The USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, hosted the second and third games. The US won <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="3-2 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/upload/opprops/oglcrxqodruazo2uvsbx.pdf" target="_blank">3-2</a> (five innings; the game was called due to lighting) on June 30 and thrived on 9 walks to win <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="11-1 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/upload/opprops/xadquydngxz5exx1u0xq.pdf" target="_blank">11-1</a> (7 innings) on July 1.</p>
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<p>Greensboro, North Carolina, hosted the fourth game on July 2. The US shut out Chinese Taipei, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="9-0 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/upload/opprops/qpxmvfkn2bpi7ucnlwhq.pdf" target="_blank">9-0</a>. Jamie Arnold, Tyler Bremner and Alton Davis II combined a no-hitter, allowing Chinese Taipei only three walks.</p>
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<p>Kannapolis, North Carolina, hosted the rubber match. The US enjoyed another shutout, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="6-0 (opens in a new tab)" href="https://img.mlbstatic.com/opprops-images/image/upload/opprops/qsfjjead6jum8mfvxwlg.pdf" target="_blank">6-0</a>. Matt Scott, Tucker Biven, Malachi Witherspoon and Nate Snead allowed Chinese Taipei only three hits and one walk while striking out eight.</p>
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<p>Alabama's State head coach José Vazquez managed a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="US roster (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.usabaseball.com/team/collegiate/roster" target="_blank">US roster</a> almost entirely of college sophomores, and including three freshmen, during the International Friendship Series. His staff included pitching coach Skylar Meade, bench coach John McCormack, third-base coach Mark Calvi, bullpen coach Brady Austin and assistant coach Kier Meredith.</p>
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<p>USA Baseball announced that the 21-year-old University of Georgia slugger Charlie Condon earned the Golden Spikes Award for the best Collegiate player of 2024. The red-shirt sophomore (a player who will have a fifth year of eligibility) led the nation with 37 home runs and will enter the MLB Draft as one of the potential top picks.</p>
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<p>"In a season that featured outstanding individual efforts from a wide range of players, Charlie Condon stood above the rest," said Paul Seile<strong>r</strong>, USA Baseball's Executive Director and CEO. "Charlie's 2024 season was nothing short of incredible to watch, and he greatly deserves this honour." </p>
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