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From Al’s Fastball
USA loses 8-0 to Venezuela at Pan American Softball Championships
Hermosillo, Mexico—The USA Softball Men’s National Team opened with an 8-0 loss to Venezuela on opening day of the Men’s PanAmerican Softball Championships.
Venezuela’sJohn Garcia was spectacular in the circle allowing only one hit while strikingout five U.S.batters. Blake Miller (Albany, Ga.was the only U.S.player able to produce a hit in the game.
Venezuela took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the firstinning when third baseman Ivan Paez drove a pitch over the fence to scoreArturo Acacio who had walked to lead off the inning.
U.S. starterMichael White (Sioux City, Iowa) settled down and held the Venezuelanbats silent until the fifth inning. Elis Vgueto reached on a walk and moved tosecond on a singe by Acacio. Paez, who drove in the first two runs of the game,reached on a fielder’s choice that advanced Vgueto to third. With tworunners on Jenin Rodriguez came up big with a three run home run to give histeam a comfortable 5-0 advantage.
In the sixth Paul Algar (Lexinton, Ill.,)came on in relief of White but a walk and a passed ball but John Zambravo inscoring position. A single by Edwin Jinanes plated Zambravo for a 6-0 lead.
Miller collected a lead off single in the bottom of thesixth inning but Chris Miljavac (St. Joseph, Mo.) grounded into a double playand Omar Moraga (Tucson, Ariz.) popped up to shortstop to end the inning.
The U.S.went to the bullpen again in the seventh inning and looked to Tony Peeples (San Miguel, Calif.) tohold down Venezuela’sscrappy offense.
Paez opened the inning with his second hit of the day andwent to second on an error. Rodriguez walked and advanced to second on an RBIsingle by Julio Jinares that scored Paez. Zambravo was then hit by a pitch thatloaded the bases for Jose Manuillo who grounded out to second but still managedto score Rodriguez.
In the seventh Garcia retired the U.S. in order to pick up the win.