“An Incredibly Proud Moment”: Territory Leaders Salute the 18U World Champions

The U.S. Virgin Islands' leaders congratulated the territory's newest world champions after the USVI Nike RBI 18U softball team beat the Houston Astros Nike RBI team 3–1 to win the 2026 Nike RBI Softball World Series in Vero Beach, Florida.

"This is an incredibly proud moment for the Virgin Islands," Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said. "There is tremendous talent in our young people."

The governor said the title was built over time. "A championship like this does not happen because of one game or one great play," he said. Speaking for himself, Lieutenant Governor Roach and the administration, he told the team: "You represented us exceptionally well."

Delegate to Congress Stacey E. Plaskett also congratulated the team. "These young women did an outstanding job and came out triumphant as World Series Champions," she said, adding that they "represented our Territory against teams backed by Major League Baseball's biggest organizations." She thanked manager Elroy Hill and coaches Richard Clendinen, Brock Creque and Inocencia Bermudez for their "tireless work in training and mentoring our young women."

The Virgin Islands were one of eight teams at the World Series and the only one representing a U.S. territory. The team qualified by winning the Caribbean Regional on June 24 and is sponsored by the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation.

The USVI Softball Federation thanks the Governor's office, the Delegate's office and the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation for supporting these athletes. Above all, we thank the players and their families.