St. Cloud MN- Team USA scored 3 runs in the 1st inning and limited the JNT to one-hit on the evening en-route to a 9-0 win at Faber Field. This was the final tune-up game before the start of the World Junior Baseball Championship on July 23rd.
“You keep score beginning Friday,” said JNT Head Coach, Greg Hamilton (Ottawa, ON). “You’re not going to beat that team easy, but we’ll put this one behind us.”
The three runs in the 1st inning saw the first four USA hitters reach base and gave them a 1-0 lead before the JNT could record an out. Brian Smith (Pickering, ON) then uncorked a wild-pitch to score the game’s second run and the final run of the frame came via a sacrifice fly.
Team USA would go on to score a run in the 2nd and 3rd innings, both from solo homeruns with two outs in the inning to build a 5-0 lead.
The JNT recorded their only hit of the ball game in the top of the 4th inning when Brandon Dailey (Brantford, ON) nailed a ball down the 3rd baseline that was gloved by the third baseman. Dailey however, had already made his way past first base giving him an infield hit.
Dalton Pompey (Mississauga, ON) reached base twice during the game, both from walks.
It was a game that the JNT will need to put behind them quickly and regain the confidence they had when they beat Team USA previously; something that Coach Hamilton says won’t be a problem.
“I think we’re fine, this was an exhibition game,” explained Hamilton. “We beat them 4-3 the other day. If you’re looking to see whether or not we can beat them, we proved that we can.”
Smith left the game after the 4th inning and gave way to Mike Ellis (Surrey, BC) who made his second appearance against Team USA. Ellis pitched a three-up, three-down 5th and then got into trouble in the 6th allowing 2 more USA runs to score.
Team USA would finish their scoring in the 8th inning off JNT reliever Nicholas Pivetta (Victoria, BC), scoring 2 runs to give them the 9-0 cushion.
“I told the guy’s it’s irrelevant, you let it go and move on,” added Hamilton. “I don’t think (the loss) is going to affect us at all.”
Notes: The JNT’s first game at the World Junior Baseball Championships will be on July 23rd against the Netherlands. First pitch will be at 7:30pm ET, at Port Arthur Stadium. ...Brian Bardis (St. Constant, QC) continued his stellar pitching out of the bull-pen, throwing a scoreless 8th inning. ...The JNT ended the pre-world’s tour with a record of 4 wins, 5 losses and 1 tie.
The 2010 IBAF World Junior (18U) Baseball Championship will host national teams from Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, Panama, Venezuela and the United States. Teams will begin qualifying games on July 23rd and the tournament will culminate in the Gold Medal game on August 1st at the Port Arthur Stadium in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Visit the website at www.worldbaseball2010.com. For tickets, please call Toll Free 1-877-422-3201.
