FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
AMSTERDAM — Playing just hours after arriving in the Netherlands, five pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout as the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team shut out the Dutch National Team, 3-0, in an exhibition game at the Amsterdam Pirates Complex on Thursday evening.
“It was a long travel day, but I was really happy with how our guys responded,” Team USA manager Dave Serrano said. “I think our focus is in the right place. We know what our goal was when we put this team together and I see the focus in their eyes. I’m excited about what we are hoping to work towards over the next week and a half.
“It was an interesting atmosphere, just like Cuba presented a different atmosphere. The culture that our guys are getting to experience is something we will remember for a lifetime. Not only are we proud to wear the USA across our chest, but the experiences and relationships we are building are something we will carry with us the rest of our lives.”
Team USA wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, scoring twice in the game’s opening frame. After Trea Turner (North Carolina State) legged out an infield single to start the contest, he promptly stole second before moving to third on a single to center by Johnny Field (Arizona). The U.S. then applied some pressure, executing a successful double steal to take a 1-0 lead.
The throw down to second on the double steal was high, moving Field up to third and a wild pitch allowed him to advance the final 90 feet to give the Red, Whtie and Blue a two-run advantage.
Those would be the only two runs the U.S. squad would score until tacking on one more in the ninth, however, as it managed to put just five more runners on base over the next seven frames.
In the ninth inning, the U.S. tacked on an insurance run as Jordan Hankins (Austin Peay) was hit by a pitch to start the stanza, moved to second on a single by Jose Trevino (Oral Roberts), advanced to third on a flyball to deep center by Michael Lorenzen (Cal State Fullerton) and scored on a groundout to third by Austin Cousino (Kentucky).
The USA pitching staff made the two early runs hold up with Jake Reed (Oregon), Dan Child (Oregon State), David Berg (UCLA), Trevor Williams (Arizona State) and Ben Grover (Amsterdam Pirates/Oral Roberts) combining to yield just three hits in the contest.
Offensively, both Field and Trevino both finished with a pair of hits with Field being named the game’s MVP by the local staff.
Team USA will have Friday off from competition before beginning play in the Haarlem Honkbal Week on Saturday when it opens the international baseball tournament against Japan. The U.S. will then take on a familiar foe in Cuba on Sunday before squaring off with Puerto Rico, Taiwan and the Netherlands over the next three days. Medal-round games are set to begin on Friday, July 20.
