PANAMA CITY – Team USA scored four runs in the third inning and managed five innings of shutout relief from Josh Owens to beat Puerto Rico 6-3 and advance to the gold medal game of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier.
The United States is currently 7-0 in tournament play.
After the USA took a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning, they fell into a 3-2 hole when Puerto Rico (4-3) scored three runs in the second inning. Team USA responded with a four-run run in the third inning to take the lead. It started when Kayson Cunningham doubled and Gavin Fien a single at the beginning of the round. After a four-pitch walk to Ethan Holliday the bases loaded, a throwing error on a Nico Partida The game was tied by the choice of field player. Brayden Jaksa Then he put the USA ahead with an RBI single from a diving shortstop and Grady Emerson A two-run knock past a drawn-in infield followed to give Team USA a 6-3 lead that would eventually win.
Owens came into the game as a replacement for the US starter Jordan Martinwho allowed two earned runs in two innings. Although Owens allowed singles to the first two batters he faced in the third, he struck out the next three to keep the USA within striking distance. The right-hander continued to dance around baserunners in each inning after Team USA took a 6-3 lead, but he did not allow a winning run. When Puerto Rico brought the tying run to the plate with no outs in the seventh inning, Owens induced a pop out followed by two strikeouts to clinch the game and secure the USA’s spot in the title game.
ACQUAINTANCE
- Owens finished the contest with five innings pitched, five hits allowed, and five strikeouts. He also walked four batters.
- Emerson (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Fien (2-for-3, 2 R) led the U.S. team’s attack in the win. Cunningham managed one hit and one walk in two at-bats, raising his tournament average to .450.
- Although the Red-White-Blues’ 19-inning scoreless streak ended in the second inning of victory, the team still has an ERA of under 1.00 (0.96).
- Team USA has secured a spot in the gold medal qualifying game at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas for the eleventh time in 15 tournament appearances.
- Saturday’s win was the Stars and Stripes’ 25th consecutive victory in a World Cup qualifier.
- The USA improves its record against Puerto Rico at the U18 level to 7-1.
QUOTES
“The game was great,” Owens said. “The guys played hard. We had a few problems early in the game, but I was able to step in and throw some strikes. Everyone had my back and we won, so we’re on our way to the gold medal game.”
ON DECK
Team USA will play the winner of the second semifinal between Cuba and Panama on Saturday night. The gold medal game will be played on Sunday at the Estadio Nacional Rod Carew at 1:00 p.m. local time/2:00 p.m. ET.
