CARY, N.C. - Drue Hackenberg turned in a complete game, three hit shutout Saturday morning to help VA Cardinals to a 4-0 win over US Elite. With the win, the Cardinals move to 2-1 at the 2019 USA Baseball 16U Cup and secure a spot in the semifinals.
Hackenberg shined both on the mound and at the plate in the Game of the Day. He struck out five and allowed just three hits to shutout the US Elite lineup. Hackenberg also helped his own cause at the plate as he went 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI. Hackenberg (1-0) earned the win for his efforts while James Michel (0-1) suffered the loss.
Carter Lovasz and Brett Allen were also big contributors on offense. The duo combined to go 2-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored.
With the win, VA Cardinals rise to 2-1 at the 16U Cup and secure a spot in the semifinals. They will play a rematch game against US Elite Sunday at 8:00 am ET for the right to play in the championship game.
For the latest on the 2019 USA Baseball 16U Cup, stay tuned to @USABEvents on Twitter and visit USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date news.
Key Moments
• VA Cardinals starting pitcher Drue Hackenberg helped his own cause in the second with an RBI double to right-center field, driving in a run and getting his team on the board.
• US Elite threatened with the bases loaded and just one away in the fourth, but Hackenberg got a timely strikeout and then forced a groundout to escape the jam and maintain the 1-0 Cardinals lead.
• The Cardinals threatened in the bottom of the fourth but were thrown out on an attempted steal of home to end the inning, preserving the 1-0 score.
• An error by US Elite allowed the Cardinals to score and extend their lead to 2-0 in the fifth.
• Carter Lovasz singled up the middle to drive in a pair and extend the Cardinals lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the sixth.
• Hackenberg fielded a groundball to the mound for the last out of the game to finalize his shutout and secure the 4-0 victory for the VA Cardinals.
Social
Stay tuned to @USABEvents on Twitter and visit USABaseball.com for the most up-to-date news about the 16U Cup.
Up Next
Semifinal action kicks off Sunday morning at 8:00 am ET. as VA Cardinals will sqaure off against US Elite on field two and Team Elite American take on East Coast Clippers on Coleman field.
