Team USA has won the 27th Haarlemse Honkbalweek. On Sunday afternoon the US squad of the best college players in the United States defeated Japan 6-3 in the championship game. It is the fourth tournament victory by the USA National Collegiate Team. They also clinched Honkbalweek titles in 2000, 2002 and 2008. Another category Team USA won the tournament in 1980.
Christin Stewart put Team USA on the board in the opening period, crossing the plate thanks to a passed ball. They extended the lead to four runs through singles by Nicholas Banks and MVP of the Final Chris Okey in the fourth. Japan answered with runs by Takuya Sato and Tastuhiro Shibata in the top of the fifth. But an error and another RBI single by Okey made it a four-run advantage once again in the sixth. Japan was able to score another run in the eighth, but eventually had to settle for the loss.
Tyler Jay picked up the win in relief, leading a corps of three pitchers getting to the mound following a 4 1/3 inning start of Kyle Funkhouser. Yuki Yoshida took the loss, surrendering five hits, four runs (3 ER) and two base on balls in the 3 1/3 innings.
Final Standings Honkbalweek:
- USA
- Japan
- Netherlands
- Chinese Taipei
Individual Awards:
- Best pitcher: Seigi Tanaka (Japan) 0.00 in 17 innings
- Best hitter: DJ Stewart (USA) .435
- Best defensive player: Tatsuhiro Shibata (Japan)
- Homeruns: Seigo Yada (Japan)
- MVP Honkbalweek: Alex Bregman (USA)
- Most popular player according to the fans: Chris Okey (USA)
- Press award: Steve Janssen (Netherlands NT manager)
More information also on www.honkbalweek.nl
Photo by USA Baseball