Showing posts tagged “Tournament of Stars”
Mike Potter ·
28 Jun 2009, 10:22 PM ·
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DBAP/DURHAM OK baseball fans, today I’m “Safe at Home in Durham” (although I live in Brier Creek now) for Game 4 of the USA National Team’s five-game set with Canada.
The Red, White and Blue, which has won all three by comfortable scores, will be favored once again. Not just because the U.S. is just better than Canada in baseball at the amateur level, but also because the Canucks have sent an 18U team. Good for the young boys from Canada to get some experience - I mean every golfer would like to play a round with Tiger Woods, right? - but for competitive balance, not so much.
When I get to the press box I learn there will be a total of two keyboard journalists in the house, and that we will be the first to cover any game in the series, which started on Thursday night in Cary. Kudos to the News & Observer for getting to the game, and I’m not going to take shots at the papers in Burlington or Greensboro or any of the smaller surrounding cities for not being here. I’m just not. I would have been around for the first three myself, but I couldn’t be in Zebulon and Durham at the same time.
Today the buffet menu includes both your standard meat-and-tomato sauce lasagna along with a vegetable alternative and Caesar salad.
Canada scored five runs in the first inning on Saturday night before losing 14-5, and today it’s competitive early. After the USA, which is the designated “visiting” team, scratches out two in the first, the Canadians tie it in the bottom of the frame.
But when veteran Christian Colon of Cal State-Fullerton - the only school for which somehow game ops does not have the fight song - blasts a two-out, 0-1 offering over the Blue Monster wall in left in the second, the tricolor boys are off to the races. USA scores two in the third, two in the fifth, five in the sixth, four in the seventh and it’s a challenge to stay engaged in the process.
The homeboys eventually win it 20-3, with 11 different players hitting safely and Coastal Carolina’s Cody Wheeler (pictured) getting the win. In other USA Baseball action on Sunday, Babe Ruth beat Bryce Harper and the American Legion team 8-7 for the championship of the Tournament of Stars.
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ACC, Baseball, USA Baseball American Legion, Asher Wojciechowski, Babe Ruth, Boston Red Sox, Bryce Harper, Cal State-Fullerton, Canada, Cary, Christian Colon, Coastal Carolina, Cody Wheeler, Cuba, Florida State Seminoles, Greg Hamilton, Jason Bay, Jerome Werniuk, Justin Morneau, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, News & Observer, Rick Jones, Russell Martin, Steve McKinnon, Texas Rangers, The Citadel, Tiger Woods, Tournament of Stars, Tulane, Tyler Holt, World Baseball Classic
Mike Potter ·
27 Jun 2009, 11:18 PM ·
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Maybe it was the managerial skills of “Trader Jack” McKeon that inspired a Red, White and Blue comeback on Saturday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Canada burst out to a 5-0 lead after half an inning, but the USA National Team pounded out 14 hits to claim a 14-5 victory and win its third straight to start the five-game series. Florida State’s Tyler Holt (pictured) reached safely six times with three hits including a pair of doubles with two RBI.
It was also another big day at the 18U Tournament of Stars at the National Training Complex in Cary, as uberprospect Bryce Harper and his American Legion team advanced to today’s 4 p.m. title game against the Babe Ruth team.
In the National Team’s win, Cal State-Fullerton’s Christian Colon had two hits including a triple with two RBI, while Rice’s Rick Hague added two hits including a double with two RBI.
T.J. Walz of Kansas got the win in relief, tallying nine strikeouts and allowing only one hit.
Cody Wheeler of Coastal Carolina is scheduled to pitch for the USA in Game 4 today at 5:05 at DBAP.
ACC, Baseball, USA Baseball American Legion, Babe Ruth, Bryce Harper, Cal State-Fullerton, Christian Colon, Coastal Carolina, Cody Wheeler, Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Florida State, Jack McKeon, Kansas Jayhawks, Rice Owls, Rick Hague, T.J. Walz, Tournament of Stars, Tyler Holt
Mike Potter ·
26 Jun 2009, 12:01 AM ·
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Team veteran Christian Colon of Cal State-Fullerton led the way with a homer, a double, a single and four RBI as the USA National Team rocked Canada 13-4 in their series opener on Thursday night at the National Training Complex in Cary.
It was a busy day at the NTC, as the 18U Tournament of Stars continued with three games.
In the National Team’s game against Canada, Andy Wilkins of Arkansas added a homer and a single for two RBI for the USA, while Rice’s Rick Hague chipped in a double and a single with an RBI.
Drew Pomeranz of Ole Miss (pictured) was the winning pitcher, striking out 10 against two walks and allowing four hits and one run in four innings.
The Canadians finished with five hits, with Kellin Deglan chipping in a single with two runs scored.
The teams play Game 2 tonight at 7:05 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Baseball, USA Baseball Add new tag, Andy Wilkins, Arkansas Razorbacks, Cal State-Fullerton, Canada, Christian Colon, Drew Pomeranz, Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Kellin Deglan, Ole Miss, Rice Owls, Rick Hague, Tournament of Stars
