Prague Week Day 5

USSSA vs. Belgium Senior National Team

In their final game of pool play, Team USSSA faced another experienced opponent in the Belgium Senior National Team.  With both teams being one and one in pool play, this was a must win situation.

The game started out as a pitcher’s duel with Nathan Woodruff starting for Team USSSA and a former New York Mets farmhand starting for Belgium.    With the game knotted at zero in the fourth, Andres Rizquez led off and laced a triple down the third base line.  Connor Crile displayed excellent situational hitting with a sacrifice fly to center which gave USSSA the 1 – 0 lead.

The offense continued to roll into the fifth when Aaron Palmer led off with a single to right.  After a sacrifice bunt by Derek Deler, Palmer stole third.  Belgium, playing for the out at home, drew the infield in.  This did not affect David Garza as he was able to drive the ball through the infield to make the score 2 – 0.  Donnie Dewees immediately followed Garza with an RBI triple to right and scored on a base hit to left field by Matt Godinsky.

With Team USSSA ahead of Belgium by a score of 4 – 0, the pitching staff continued to excel.  Starting pitcher, Nathan Woodruff, threw five scoreless innings.  Chris Elander followed Woodruff’s lead and continued to stifle the Belgium hitters.  Elander threw four innings of shutout baseball while striking out six.

Team USSSA, though much younger, got the much needed win by a score of 4 –0.  With the win, Team USSSA secured the two seed in their bracket and will move onto the championship round scheduled to start tomorrow.  The official game time and opponent will be announced after the completion of the pool play games today.

Starting Pitcher: Nathan Woodruff

Winning Pitcher: Nathan Woodruff

Winning Score: 4 – 0

Please check back for game times as Team USSSA tries to bring home the Gold!