Japan defeats USA 6-3

BROCKTON, Mass. – Cadyn Grenier went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Tim Cate recorded 4.0 scoreless innings in relief as the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team fell to Japan, 6-3, in 10 innings on Friday in the second game of the 41st USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series from Campanelli Stadium. The best-of-five series is now tied at 1-1.
Tied 2-2 after nine innings, the two teams went to extra innings under international tie-breaking rules as runner start on first and second base with no outs. Japan scored four runs in the 10th inning highlighted by Keita Nakagawa driving in two runs with a double down the third-base line.
The United States team looked to extend the game in the bottom of the 10th inning as Steele Walker ripped a line drive that was knocked down by Yuki Tsumori for an out but allowed Grenier to score to make it 6-3. Japan then brought in Hiromasa Saito and got a fly out to end the game.
The U.S. scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the third inning as Nick Madrigal lined a base hit through the left side of the infield to score Jake McCarthy from second base.
Japan took its first lead of the game in the top of the fourth inning when Taiju Utsumi hit an infield single to drive in a run followed by Hiroki Obata lifting a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Taishi Kusumoto who slid just underneath the tag on the throw home by Walker to make the score 2-1.
The United States tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning as Grenier led off the inning with a single to right field and later came around to score on a balk.
Cate threw 4.0 shutout innings in relief and did not allow a hit while recording seven strikeouts. Starting pitcher Steven Gingery tossed 4.0 innings allowing two runs on five hits with one strikeout.
The U.S. team ended the game with three runs on seven hits with no errors, while Japan finished with six runs on six hits and no errors.
The United States will play game three of the 41st USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series on Saturday at 5:35 p.m. from LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Massachusetts.
The series against Japan is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.