Thanks to Julie Bartel/ASA/USA Softball for this information.
For Immediate Release: 7/5/08
USA Men’s National Team UPDATE from 3 Nations Challenge
Game 1- Thursday, July 3
Canada 4 USA 2
In the Opening game of the 3 Nations Challenge in Saskatoon, the USA Men’s National team pitching kept the powerful Canadian Men’s Team off balance. The Canadian hitters managed only four hits off of pitchers Sean Kelly (Homer, Mich.) and Cody Thomson (Herriman, Utah). Kelly, the starter went five strong innings giving up four runs and four hits in five innings, walking three and striking out one. Kelly dropped to 0-1 in the tournament. The crowd of 1,950 was treated to early action as the Canadians led off the game with a solo home run by Ryan Wolfe. Wolfe had a three- run homer in the fifth and accounted for three of the four Canadian runs.
The American bats have struggled to get key hits. The USA outhit Canada five to four. Leadoff hitter Blake Miller (Kingsville, Texas) went 2-for-3 and was the catalyst for the American offense. In the fourth, Miller led off the inning with being hit by a pitch and was advanced to third by a Steve Pinnochio (Merced, Calif.) bunt and a Canadian error. Matt Palazzo (Pleasant Hill, Iowa) then scored Miller with an infield out. In the fifth inning, right fielder Eddie Ketelhut (Canton, Mich.) led off with a single and scored on a single by Blake Miller.
The Americans moved to 0-1 in the Challenge while Canada moved to 1-0.
Canada.1.0.0.0.3.0.0-4.4.1
USA………..0.0.0.1.1.0.0-2.5.0
Winning Pitcher: Frank Cox Losing Pitcher: Sean Kelly
Game 2 – Thursday, July 3
Japan 8 USA 3
The second game of the night was a slugfest as Japan and the United States combined for 20 hits in a three hour and twenty minute marathon. Japanese shortstop Ryuji Hazeyama led the Japanese with a home run and two singles. The Americans were led by right fielder Chase Turner (Stockton, Calif.) who had a single and a home run. Nate Devine (Merced, Calif.) also went 2-for-3 after replacing USA centerfielder Chad Seeman (Chenoa, Ill.) who was lost for the tournament with a fractured finger that happened on a bunt attempt in the third inning. The game was close until the fifth when the Japanese scored five, keyed by a Masateru Matsuoka grand slam. The Americans continued to hit well, but left nine runners on base.
Losing pitcher Travis Price (Corona, Calif.) went 5 2/3 innings giving up nine hits and eight runs. The Japanese threw four pitchers led by starter Tatsuya Hamag who went four innings and struck out nine. The Americans dropped to 0-2 in the tournament. Japan is now 1-0.
Japan 020 105 0 8 10 0
USA 000 002 1 3 10 0