02/09/2023 1 Minute Read

The United States sit on early lead to beat Spain

The defending U-18 World Champions scored five runs in the first two at-bats. Solid pitching and strong defence took the game to a winning end.

World No. 2 and U-18 World Champions United States scored all the runs they needed in the first inning to keep their edge over Spain in their 6-2 triumph at the XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.

The North American side remain undefeated as their solid defence backed starter Carter Johnson against the European side that only got on the scoreboard in their final at-bat.

The US got to Spain's starter Diego Alcala from the start, with second baseman Coy James leading off with a triple and scoring on a base hit by third baseman Konnor Griffin. Left fielder Perry Morlando tripled to right field and then scored on a sacrifice fly by pitcher Carter Johnson to make it 3-0.

James tripled to extend it to 4-0 in the top of the second and scored the fifth run on a groundout.

Starter Carter Johnson cruised through five innings, allowing only two walks and two hits.

Spain got on the scoreboard against reliever Noah Franco. Franco got catcher Ayson Mcintosh to ground to second base with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. USA tried to end the game on a double play, but the throw went beyond the first base, allowing Spain to score. Centre fielder Pablo Costales added an RBI single.

On 3 September, the United States will face No. 1 Japan. Spain will play No. 6 Venezuela.