Playoff Game 2 – A4 USA (4-3) vs. B3 Argentina (5-2)
This game is set to go at 2:30pm New Zealand time.
New Zealand time:
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Argentina (5-2) is the # 3 seed from Pool B. Their only losses in pool play were to the top two seeds, Canada and New Zealand. Both losses were by 2-1 scores, with the game against Canada going extra innings, so Argentina can clearly play with anyone in the world. They just haven’t yet been able to climb that next step to get to the medal round.
Won/Lost…Team…(Record)
L Canada (6-1)
L New Zealand (6-1)
W Japan (5-2)
W Colombia (3-4)
W Mexico (2-5)
W Netherlands (1-6)
W Philippines (0-7)
Argentina’s strength is in their pitching staff of Juan Potolicchio, Lucas Mata and Sisko Sabate, all with ISF World Championship experience before this year’s tournament. The offense has struggled to score runs, so the key will be the pitching staff’s ability to shut down the USA offense. The biggest win thus far was over Japan, giving them the #3 seed over #4 Japan. Ironically, it may have given them a tougher first round game, facing a resurgent USA which as won 4 in a row to close out pool play, instead of Samoa, which started 3-0 but finished 1-3 in their last three games and was eliminated this afternoon by Japan.
USA (4-3) is the 4 seed from Pool A. The USA has been made Jekyll and Hyde team of the tournament, dropping its first three games in a row, and given up for dead before coming back to win four in a row, including “must win” games on the last two days, against #2 seed Venezuela and a head-to-head matchup with Great Britain with the final playoff spot on the line.
Line-up for today’s playoff game:
1. #41 Fernando Petric LF
2. #21 Lautaro Ferrara 2B
3. #28 Bruno Motroni C
4. #27 Manuel Godoy DH
5. #22 Mauricio Caceres SS
6. #10 Francisco Sabate 1B
7. #52 Nicolas Bittor 3B
8. #14 German Sacks RF
9. #17 Mariano Montero CF
P: #42 Lucas Mata
The USA is a balanced team which has neither overpowering pitching or offense, but a good blend of both. The pitching staff includes Gerald Muizelaar and Travis Price, naturalized citizens from Canada, along with Josh Johnson. Johnson is one of the best hitting pitchers around and has been among the top hitters for USA, along with veterans Adam Lalonde and Todd Schultz. Youngster Marcus Tan, a a late addition to the 2009 USA squad has played well with a homer to his credit.
The key to victory for the USA will be there ability to score runs against Argentina’s pitching. The USA lineup has seen plenty of Lucas Motta and Juan Potolicchio at ISC World Tournaments during the last four years. After a poor start in this year’s event, the USA is looking to get back to the medal round. The USA last medaled in 1999, getting knocked off the medal stand in 2004 by Australia, in their breakthrough year, before the Aussies won the 2009 event.
The biggest win for the USA came on the final day of pool play, a 41 win over Great Britain, overcoming a 5th inning, 1-0 deficit.
USA Lineup for today’s playoff game:
Visitors: USA lineup: United States
1. #11 Adam Lalonde CF
2. #77 Chase Turner 1B
3. #4 Matt Palazzo 2B
4. #19 Joshua Johnson DH
5. #9 Derrick Zechman 3B
6. #25 Dave Lohman LF
7. #2 Todd Schultz SS
8. #6 Robert Rosthenhausler C
9. #12 Marcus Tan RF
P: #34 Travis Price
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