Despite a slow start, the 18U National Team outlasted Canada in a rain-shortened 5-1 win at 18U National Team Training in Cary, North Carolina on Monday thanks to a four-run fifth frame.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Team USA got off to a sluggish start in its first of two games against Canada at training camp, falling behind 1-0 after the first frame.
- Despite a double from Gavin Fien in the second, Team USA couldn’t get on the board, but continued to hold Canada to its slim, 1-0 lead.
- An RBI-single from Josh Hammond put the 18U team on the board and knotted the contest at 1-1.
- After starting pitcher Nico Partida let in just one run in the first, Josh Owens and Ethin Bingaman held Canada at bay for the rest of the game.
- Team USA stormed ahead for the lead in the fifth frame — the team’s rally was jumpstarted by a double from Partida and followed up on with Fien’s second double of the day.
- With a 2-1 lead, a single from Josh Owens brought the lead to 4-1 in favor of Team USA.
- Slater de Brun finished off the big inning with a perfectly placed bunt, bringing the score to 5-1.
NOTABLE STATS
- Bingaman closed out Team USA’s solid day on the mound with a near-perfect two innings, finishing his day with five punchouts, no hits and just two free passes.
- Owens only allowed one hit in his one inning on the mound and added a strikeout to his tally.
- Fien went 2-for-2 with two doubles and an RBI in the 5-1 victory.
- Owens racked up a team-leading two RBIs thanks to his late-game RBI-single.
