Box Score | PxP | Cumulative Stats

HERMOSILLO, Mexico. – The USA Baseball 15U National Team battled back to erase a four-run deficit, defeating Venezuela 5-4 on Saturday at Estadio Hector Espino in Hermosillo, Mexico. The win improved Team USA to 2-0 in World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 World Cup pool play.

The stars and stripes fell behind early due to errors but remained disciplined at the plate and used timely hitting to come away with the victory. Team USA scored once in the first and would not plate any more runs until the bottom of the seventh with two outs.

Venezuela capitalized on five errors to carry a 4-1 lead heading into the final frame. The red, white, and blue scored via walk, single, and a balk before Dane Perry (Friendswood, Texas) sent a single up the middle to end the game.

Coy James (Advance, N.C.) led the offense with three hits, two runs, and a stolen base. Ethan Holliday (Stillwater, Okla.) went 2-for-3 on the day and contributed an RBI. Brady Ebel (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) and John Short (Anaheim, Calif.) each had an RBI in the contest.

On the mound, Chase Bentley (Granite Bay, Calif.) got the start and went 4.2 innings, striking out three while only allowing two hits with no earned runs. Zane Burns (Chandler, Ariz.) earned the win during 1.2 innings of work where he didn’t allow a hit and struck out three.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Two Team USA errors had Venezuela on the board first, as Aaron Pinero crossed the plate to put the visitors ahead 1-0.
• After a hit-by-pitch was called back, Brady Ebel made the most of it by sending a fly ball to left field, allowing Coy James to score, tying the game at 1-1.
• In the top of the second, with a runner in motion, Bolivar Martinez grounded out but the throw to third was wide allowing Luis Cova to extend Venezuela’s lead to 2-1.
• A double and a Team USA error put Venezuela ahead 4-1 in the top of the sixth inning.
• Coy James singled down the right field line to get on base and advanced on an error before stealing third while Brady Ebel drew a walk to put the U.S. within striking distance in the seventh.
• Sebastian Norman drew a walk to load the bases and John Short followed suit with a walk of his own to cut Venezuela’s lead to 4-2.
• Ethan Holliday hit a ball hard back to the pitcher who couldn’t handle it for an RBI-single to put Team USA within a run, 4-3.
• With the bases still loaded, Venezuela balked home the tying run.
• Dane Perry stepped to the plate for his first at-bat of the day and sent a ball back up the middle for the 5-4 walk off win.

NOTABLE

• Coy James had three of Team USA’s six hits, going 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base, and two runs.
• Ethan Holliday went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI
• Chase Bentley started the game with 4.2 strong innings of work, allowing two hits, and recording three strikeouts with no earned runs.
• Zane Burns earned the win behind 1.2 innings of work, allowing no hits and striking out three.
• As a team, the stars and stripes drew eight walks compared to Venezuela’s three.

ON DECK
The 2022 15U National Team will continue Pool Play in the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup facing off against Guam on August 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Estadio Sonora in Hermosillo, Mexico.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Stay tuned to @USABaseball15U on Twitter for the most up-to-date news about the 2022 15U National Team.