Cary, North Carolina – A Doubleheader to Remember
The 2026 Collegiate National Team Training Camp opened its schedule with a doubleheader against the Appalachian League Select Team in Cary, North Carolina. The Stars and the Stripes traded early blows, with the first game ending in a 0‑0 tie that showcased solid pitching from both sides.
Tomas Valincius and Luke Harrison led the Stars’ offense, while Gavin Kelly sparked the lineup with a leadoff single in the fourth inning. The Stripes answered back in the second game, as Jacob Parker’s solo home run tied the contest before the Appy League Select rallied to cut the deficit to 4‑3 in the fifth.
What’s Next?
Relief work from Marcelo Harsch and Joshua Whritenour steadied the Stripes, who pulled away with two more runs in the eighth to seal a 9‑3 victory. The series will reconvene on June 30 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, promising another chapter in this developing rivalry. Fans can expect a fresh batch of talent to take the field, with names like Brodie Johnston, Walker Hooks, and Easton Hawk eyeing key roles as the teams fine‑tune their preparations for the summer season.