Mister Baseball

The Americans beat South Africa 4-2. The score was close til the end, but nobody thought the underdog could turn the result into his direction.

The USA opened the game with three runs in the first two frames for an early 3-1 lead. Colby RASMUS had led off with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a ground ball, before scoring on a double by Andy LAROCHE (3-3). Steve PEARCE (3-4) drove him in with a RBI-single, moments later. LAROCHE hit a sac fly in the second to score Brian BIXLER, who had reached with a single. They build up the advantage in the fourth on the third RBI by LAROCHE and failed to score after that. South Africa cut the deficit to two runs on three consecutive hits in the top of the eight.

Starter Matt WRIGHT allowed one run on one hit in his scheduled three innings. He struck out four. Reliever Jeff STEVENS earned the win with a perfect sixth inning, striking out two.

Shanno ECKERMANS (L 0-2) started for South Africa and took the loss. He gave up eight hits, five runs (2 ER) and three walks in five innings.

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