The United States swept Chinese Taipei in the 20th Collegiate International Friendship Series, a WBSC sanctioned event.
The US, managed by Larry Lee, the 63-year-old head coach of the Cal Poly Mustangs, used a five-run eighth at-bat to seal a 7-3 victory in game one on 30 June at the National Training Center in Cary, North Carolina. Center fielder Jace LaViolette went 2.for-5 with two RBIs. Fran Oschel III pitched 2.1 innings in relief and earned the win.
The day after at Durham Bulls Athletic Park three US pitchers, Drew Beam, Matt Ager and Brandon Neely, limited Chinese Taipei to four hits and one run. LaViolette homered twice and left fielder Charlie Condon also went deep. Third baseman Kaelen Culpepper went 3-for-4 with one RBI.
The US offence dominated games three and four, 10-0 and 17-1, combining 30 hits, including home runs by shortstop Griff O'Ferrall, first baseman Jack Caglianone, right fielder Braden Montgomery, second baseman JJ Wetherhol, Condon and Culpepper. Luke Holman and Ryan Johnson earned the wins.
The US won the series' final game, 7-6, in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Independence Day, 4 July, thanks to a walk-off base hit by Charlie Condon.
The seven-inning game was delayed by rain, and Chinese Taipei took a 6-4 lead into the sixth inning. Braden Montgomery hit a two-run home run.
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The summer season of the US Collegiate National Team opened on Sunday, 25 June, with the first of three intra-squad games (Stars v Stripes) at the National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina.
The US will face Japan in the 44th edition of the five-game USA vs Japan Collegiate All-Star Championship Series. The games are scheduled on 7, 8 and 9 July in Cary and 11 and 12 July in Charleston, South Carolina.
See all the results and boxscores on USA Baseball OFFICIAL WEBSITE.
