CARY, N.C. - The Southwest Stars scored five runs in two innings and defeated the South Stars, 5-1, on Sunday at Coleman Field in Cary, North Carolina.
Brady Strohm earned the win for Southwest Stars and didn't allow a run through four innings pitched. Talin Gardini came in for the Southwest Stars for the final two innings and fanned four batters to earn the save.
"Winning a gold medal feels great. Our team put in a lot of work over the past three days. We really came together as a team and spent a lot of time together in practice and before games," Gardini said.
The Southwest Stars coach, Justin Philips, was impressed with his team's ability to keep runners stranded and get out of a jam.
"Our team really competed, especially our catchers. They remembered everything I've taught them and did a good job of commanding the zone," Phillips said. "I'm here for the kids and this has been special to be a part of. These guys bought in, they were coachable and it was a lot of fun."
Continue to follow @USABaseballNTIS on Twitter and visit USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date news about the National Team Identification Series.
Key Moments:
• With the bases loaded in the bottom of the third, Southwest Stars drew a walk and brought home the first run of the game.
• Continuing in the bottom of the third, Kibru Pam hit an RBI-single to shallow left and drove in two more runs, increasing their lead 3-0.
• With the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth, Aiden Yancy gathered a hard-hit grounder and made a spinning throw to first to end the inning for Southwest Stars and keep the South Stars runners stranded.
• In the top of the fifth, Maximo Martinez hit a two-run RBI-double down the left field line that drove in two runs, bringing the score to 5-0.
• The South Stars got on the board in the bottom of the sixth when a runner on third took advantage of a passed ball and crossed the plate, making the score 5-1.
Up Next:
The National Team Identification Series Champions Cup will continue next weekend, August 16-18, as the 12U and 14U age groups come to town.
Social Media:
Continue to follow @USABaseballNTIS on Twitter and visit USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date news about the National Team Identification Series.
