TEAM USA U18 Wins Gold at Pan American Games, Kayson Cunningham Named MVP

The Team USA 18U went 8-0 including a 4-2 win over host Panama in the Gold Medal game to win the Championship at the Pan American Games. With the game tied at 2-2 in the 6th of the Gold Medal game, Kayson Cunningham (San Antonio Johnson ’25) hit a bases loaded RBI to give Team USA U18 the lead. Cooper Rummell (Dripping Springs ’25) shut down Panama in the bottom of the 7th to pick up the save for Team USA U18. Cunningham was named the MVP of the Pan American Games hitting .417 with 3 doubles and 12 RBIs.

Panama took home the silver medal and Puerto Rico beat Cuba to take the bronze medal.

Five Texas High School baseball players were on the Team USA 18U roster. Here is the list of those players and their stats in the tournament:

Kayson Cunningham SS (San Antonio Johnson ’25)
10-24, .417 Avg, 3 2B, 12 RBI, 7 Runs, .483 OBP, .542 SLG
23 Chances, 1 Error, .956 FLD%, 1 Double Play

Grady Emerson 2B (Argyle ’26)
8-21, .381 Avg, 7 RBI, 4 Runs, 2 SB, .417 OBP
24 Chances, 1 Error, .957 FLD%, 2 Double Plays

Nico Partida RHP, DH (Pearland ’25)
2-0, 8 IP, 1 Hit, 0 Runs, 12 K, 4 BB, 0.00 ERA, 0.630 WHIP
4-13, .308 Avg, RBI, 3 Runs, .333 OBP

Cooper Rummel RHP (Dripping Springs ’25)
1-0, 2 Saves, 4 IP, 1 Hit, 0 Runs, 5 K, 0.00 ERA, 0.500 WHIP

Xavier Mitchell LHP (Prestonwood Christian ’25)
2 IP, 0 Hits, 0 Runs, 5 K, 2 BB, 0.00 ERA, 1.000 WHIP