Unbeaten in the Caribbean: USVI 18U Goes 5–0 to Win the Nike RBI Regional

The U.S. Virgin Islands 18U softball team is going back to Vero Beach. The territory's Nike RBI squad won the Caribbean Region title at the 2026 Nike RBI Softball Regional Championships on June 24, finishing a perfect 5–0 against teams from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

The win earns the Virgin Islands a place in the Nike RBI Softball World Series, set for August 9–13 at Major League Baseball's Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach, Florida. It is the program's second straight trip; last summer's team reached the World Series semifinals.

Pitching set the tone. Amanda Thompson went 2–0 in the circle, striking out 33 batters across 12 innings without allowing an earned run.

The offense matched it. Six USVI hitters finished the tournament batting .500 or better.

"They played well defensively. Pitching was amazing, and the bats were alive this weekend," coach Richard Clendinen said.

The team is managed by Elroy Hill, with coaches Inocencia Bermudez, Brock Creque and Clendinen. The Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation sponsors the program.

Next stop: the World Series.