KEENE, N.H. — Aaron Senne (Missouri; Rochester, Minn.), Ryan Ortiz (Oregon State; San Diego, Calif.) and Kentrail Davis (Tennessee; Theodore, Ala.) all homered in a five-run third inning as the 2008 USA Baseball National Trials Team defeated the Keene Swamp Bats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League 11-0 Thursday night at Alumni Field. This was the first competition during the trials.
With the U.S. team leading 4-0, Senne ripped a one-out solo home run to right. On the very next pitch, Ortiz laced a solo shot to right-center. An error and a walk set the stage for Davis’ homer, a three-run blast to right-center. It was the first of two home runs on the night for Davis, who followed a Christian Colon (Cal State Fullerton; Corona, Calif.) sixth-inning leadoff home run with a solo round-tripper to right-center.
The National Trials Team finished with 12 hits on the night, paced by Davis’ three-hit night. Davis also had four RBI and scored three times. Ortiz added two hits, while Colon, Shaver Hansen (Baylor; Grand Junction, Colo.) and Brian Fletcher (Auburn; Fayetteville, Ga.) scored two runs each.
Meanwhile, five U.S. pitchers combined on the seven-hit shutout, led by starter Mike Minor (Vanderbilt; Chapel Hill, Tenn.). A member of the 2007 National Team, Minor scattered three singles with five strikeouts against no walks and earned the victory in a predetermined 4.0-inning start.
Chance Ruffin (Texas; Austin, Texas), Justin Marks (Louisville; Owensboro, Ky.), A.J. Griffin (San Diego; El Cajon, Calif.) and Kevin Rhoderick (Oregon State; Scottsdale, Ariz.) combined to close out the game. Ruffin struck out five in 2.0 innings. Marks and Griffin each worked a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.
Keene threatened in the sixth inning, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Alex Lee led off with a single through the right side and moved to second on a wild pitch. Ruffin then struck out Jose Macias looking, but a passed ball allowed Macias to reach first. An errant throw to first by catcher Josh Phegley (Indiana; Terre Haute, Ind.) allowed Lee to reach third. However, Ruffin struck out the next three batters to escape unscathed.
Starter Sean Tierney took the loss for Keene; he allowed seven runs, four earned, on six hits and a walk with one strikeout over 2.1 innings.
National Team Trials competition continues Friday as the U.S. squad travels to Holyoke, Mass., to face the Holyoke Sox of the NECBL at MacKensie Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT.
