PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla.- BIC Showcase allowed no runs on six hits in the matchup against X Team on Tuesday at the USA National Team Championships in Florida.
It was three scoreless innings from both sides until BIC put up a two-spot in the bottom half of the fourth inning. Following a lead-off single by Justin Quintana, Juhlien Gonzalez hit a triple to cross Quintana for the game's first run. A wild pitch would then score Gonzales, making the score 2-0.
Both teams were scoreless in the fifth before BIC added two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Reyes reached on an error and a triple one out later from Quintana put one aboard. A sacrifice fly brought home the fourth run of the game.
In the top of the seventh, an error and a single seemed to spark a hopeful rally for Team X, but the defense of BIC held strong and sealed the game with a force out at third. Gonzalez led the offense for BIC Showcase going 1-2 with a triple and two runs batted in on the day.
Quintana also had a day at the plate going 2-3 with a triple and a run batted in. Juan Pablo Correra highlighted the offense for X team with two hits and a double.
Connor Manning of BIC earned the win and threw all seven-innings allowing four hits while striking out eight batters.
"The game was dominated by pitching today," said Head Coach Matt DiGrigoli. "The boys are always competitive and want to get after it. I told them to just stay loose and have fun, and they did just that."
With the 4-0 win, BIC moves on to the semi-final round and will play Team Elite American tomorrow at 8 a.m. (ET).