by Josh Chetwynd
South Africa – Chandler-Gilbert Community College 7-0
CGC 000 000 000 0 SFA 100 005 01X 7
Winning pitcher: Donavon Hendricks (2IP, 0H, 0R)
Top hitter: Brett Willemburg (2 for 3, 3B, 2R, 3RBI, 1SB, 1BB)
Highlights:
South Africa ran its pre-World Baseball Classic record to 2-0 with a 7-0 victory over Chandler-Gilbert Community College at the Oakland A’s Papago Spring Training Facility on Sunday. Seven South African pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout. Starting pitcher Donavon Hendricks earned the win pitching two scoreless frames. He was followed by Birtus Mostert (2IP, 1H, 0R, 1BB, 3K), Minnesota Twins farmhand Hein Robb (1IP, 2K), Matthew Dancer (1P, 1H, 1K), Gavin Jeffries (1IP, 1BB), Kansas City Royals signee Dylan Lindsay (1IP, 1BB) and Darryn Smith (1IP).
Offensively, the Springboks got on the board immediately, scoring a run on a Brett Willemburg single in the bottom of the first. South Africa added all the insurance they would need in the bottom of the sixth with a five-run outburst. A Willemburg triple to left field scored two runs follow ed by a sacrifice fly from Terrence White plating Willemburg. Later in the inning, Zaid Hendricks drove in a two with a triple. The Springboks pushed across their final run on a double by Ashley Scott in the eighth.
South Africa will complete its pre-tournament schedule with contests against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (March 4th) and the Oakland A’s (March 5th).