2021 USA CNT: Game 5 Recap

1.2K

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Solo home runs from Brock Jones and Jace Jung paved the way for the Stripes to cruise past the Stars, 5-2, Wednesday evening at TVA Credit Union Ballpark in Johnson City, Tenn.

Jung’s longball to lead off the fourth sparked a four-run frame which proved to be the difference in the contest. The Texas Tech standout finished 2-for-2 at the plate with a double, a walk, a run and an RBI.

Jordan Sprinkle (UCSB) also struck a big blow, lacing a two-run double to left-center, and Sean McLain added a 2-for-3 effort at the dish. Jones’ (Stanford) blast in the second tied him for the team lead this summer with three home runs

Tanner Witt (Texas) picked up the win after yielding just one run on two hits in three innings of work. Reggie Crawford (UCONN) slammed the door at the end of the game, fanning two in the final frame to earn the save.

Carson Whisenhunt (East Carolina) gave the Stars a solid start, punching out six in three innings of one-run ball. Landon Sims (Mississippi State) made his summer debut with a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth.

KEY MOMENTS

• For the second day in a row, Jones got the scoring started in the second inning with a home run.
• The Stars answered back in the third though when back-to-back singles by Dylan Crews (LSU) and Robert Moore (Arkansas) and a wild pitch brought in a run.
• Jung opened the following frame by crushing a 2-2 pitch 412 feet over the wall in right.
• The Stripes continued to apply the pressure, plating another run with a pair of singles, including a perfectly-executed hit-and-run, and a double steal with Daniel Susac (Arizona) swiping home.
• After a base hit by McLain and a walk to Caden Trice (Clemson), Sparkle smashed a two-bagger to left-center to bring both runners in and make it a 5-1 game.
• Brooks Lee (Cal Poly) capped the scoring in the home half of the fourth with an opposite-field bomb over the Dr. Enuf sign in left-center.

ON DECK

The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will continue the Tennessee portion of its Appalachian League tour with a visit to DeVault Memorial Stadium in Bristol, Va., home of the Bristol State Liners. First pitch between the Stars and Stripes is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.