CARY, N.C. - Team USA picked up its second win of the inaugural Summer League Tour at the National Training Complex’s Field No. 3 on Sunday, with pitchers Joey Volchko (Stanford) and Dominic Voegele (Kansas) dominating on the mound to allow the Team USA offense to strike late for a 2-1 victory over Coastal Plain League Select.
AS IT HAPPENED:
- Volchko opened the contest strong, retiring five consecutive batters in the first two innings with some impressive pitches. A dropped third strike allowed a runner on for Coastal Plain Select, who would later score on a wild pitch for a 1-0 lead.
- Team USA put runners in scoring position for the first time in the second inning, with Daniel Cuvet (Miami) driving a single into center and Justin Lebron (Alabama) getting aboard on an error, but the U.S. could not cross home plate.
- Volchko picked up another two punchouts in the third inning, both on swings and misses.
- Team USA’s bats looked to spark the offense in the sixth inning, as both Tre Phelps (Georgia) and Henry Ford (Virginia) raked singles through center. But again, the stars and stripes were held scoreless.
- The breakthrough came in the seventh inning, which began with both Lebron and Luke Stevenson (UNC) being put on base after being hit by pitches. Jamal George (Alabama State) helped put Team USA on the board by putting a ball into play for an error, allowing both Lebron and Stevenson to round the bases and give the U.S. the lead.
- Voegele pitched the final four innings for Team USA in relief of Volchko, striking out a pair of Coastal Plain Select batters in the eighth inning to secure the win.
NOTABLE STATS:
- Volchko and Voegele both pitched four innings and each allowed only one hit during their respective shifts.
- Volchko ended the evening with seven strikeouts, while Voegele retired four batters via strikeout.
- Stevenson had a big evening behind the dish, flashing his arm by twice catching a pair of Coastal Plain Select runners trying to advance to second.
- Ford led Team USA with a game-high two hits, his second straight game with at least one knock on the Summer League Tour. Phelps and Stevenson have also recorded at least one hit in both games.
- Cuvet’s hit in the second was his first of the Summer League Tour.
- Both AJ Gracia (Duke) and Lebron drew walks.
ON DECK:
- Team USA hits the road as the Summer League Tour heads to Pulaski, Virginia on Monday to play the Appalachian League East Division Select at Calfee Park. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.
