From THE STARPHOENIX
BY KATHRYN WILLMS
JULY 22, 2009
It was quiet morning at the ballpark on Tuesday as the United States and Botswana took the field for the first game of the day. Fans settled in for a long day of ball, coffees in hand, chatting among themselves. Two hours later, the same crowd was on the edge of their seats as a 0-4 Botswana team took its best shot at upsetting the 3-1 Americans. A morning round-robin formality had morphed into an epic battle between David and Goliath.
The United States were the first to get on the board. Shortstop Don Garvey got his team’s first hit, a single, and then utilized his speed to round the bases in quick succession before stealing home. Botswana responded in the top of the third by loading the bases but pitcher Travis Price struck out the final batter to save his team’s lead. After another inning stalemate, Adam LaLonde was walked to first then hit home by a Kyle Magnusson single. Botswana launched its attack in the sixth. Gomolemo Tshelametsi hit a single to get on base and was brought home on a double by Obusitswe Lekgothu. Lekgothu would, in turn, swiftly steal third but U.S. closer Paul Koert delivered two easy outs at first and struck out a final batter to stem the Botswana tide. Botswana couldn’t manage the tying run in the seventh, leaving one batter on base at the close of the game. The Botswana team out-hit the Americans 3-2.
“Because we have been scouting on how these guys play and hit, we decided it’s not about striking out guys,” said Botswana’s starting pitcher Tony Moyo, who allowed two hits and struck out five. “Let’s hit the spots and play a defensive game. If we get guys on base, let’s turn it into runs.”
The only people not surprised at the tight contest were the Botswana players. Moyo confirms what everyone at Bob Van Impe came to realize on Tuesday morning: Botswana came to compete.
“The U.S. team, Denmark, Mexico, Philippines, Great Britain,” said Moyo, “they were actually teams that we had targeted to play brilliantly against. With five losses down, things haven’t gone our way. This game we said let’s go full out. We have nothing to lose.”
Botswana may have the worst record of the tournament — now 0-5 — but a careful review of their its round-robin games shows Moyo’s optimistic take is far from misplaced. All tournament, the Botswana team has kept games close, flashing potential on both sides of the plate and refusing to roll over in the face of even the most intimidating opponents. It lost to Denmark 4-1, Japan 9-4, Mexico 7-0 and New Zealand 10-0.
Winning pitcher Travis Price, who allowed three hits while striking out nine in six innings pitched, was giving props after the game, clearly relieved that the U.S. escaped its flat play to earn a win.
“We never take any team lightly,” he said. “Their starting pitcher kept us off balance. We played solid defence but they hung around. They’re a decent team.”
Botswana is refashioning itself as a spoiler for the remaining games of the round-robin. It takes on the Philippines today and Great Britain Thursday, two teams with long-shot playoff aspirations.
“Nobody should get it easy,” said Moyo. “A win for us will just justify that we qualified to come here.”
kwillms@sp.canwest.com
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