USA head undefeated to the final of the U-18 Baseball World Cup

USA head undefeated to the final of the U-18 Baseball World Cup
09/09/2017

THUNDER BAY, Ontario (Canada)-USA shut out Australia, playing almost perfect behind starting pitcher Brandon Dieter. They head to the final of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup undefeated

USA head to the final of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup undefeated as they shut out (9-0) Australia playing an almost perfect game behind starter Brandon Dieter, who goes 8 innings and helps manager Andrew Stankiewicz give his main arms in the bullpen one more day of rest.

USA are off a pretty good start. Siani is on with a lead off double and scores as second baseman Young doubles back to back. Australia starter Duane Johannsen issues a walk (to first baseman Casas) but can make it out of the inning with no further damage.

In the third USA become aggressive and break the score open. Young singles but is then caught stealing second. Right fielder Kelenic follows with a base hit and first baseman Casas walks. Both runners advance on a double steal as designated hitter Delgado strikes out swinging. Left fielder Thomas capitalizes with a grounder in the gap to left and scores both. USA are not done and shortstop Turang singles to right, taking Thomas to third. Catcher Banfield sends a broken bat grounder to third. The throw by Fritsch is high and first baseman Wingrove can’t handle it. Thomas scores, Turang gets to third and Banfield reaches second. Third baseman Gorman scores both (and makes it 6-0) with a sharp liner up the middle and reaches second on the throw home. Johannsen is done for the day and Hampton takes the mound for Australia to end the inning as Siani grounds out.

USA add a run in the fifth. With 2 outs, Turang doubles, steals third and then scores on a base hit by Banfield.
In the bottom of the eighth Australia defense commits a couple of errors that put runners at the corners. Reliever Liam Holm walks the bases loaded and 2 more runs score on a sacrifice fly by Kelenic and a groundout by Casas.
Brandon Dieter cruises through Australia line up for 8 scoreless innings, allowing only 3 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 8. Joseph Menefee works the ninth and faces only 3 batters. The last out comes with a superb catch by Michael Siani in centerfield on a deep fly by Australia catcher Hall.

Brandon Dieter threw 8 scoreless innings for USA against Australia (Christian J Stewart-WBSC)