18U BWC: Team USA shuts out Italy in opener

DOU LIOU STADIUM. The running champions of Team USA took the field for the first time in the 2013 18U Baseball World Cup in Dou Liou Stadium, shutting out Italy.

After three scoreless innings, a balk by reliever Silvestri allowed Haseley to score from the third base, after a double and a bunt single by Rivera.

The key inning of the game was the fifth, when DH Alex Destino hit a two-run bases loaded single, followed by Schwartz’s sacrifice fly and Hurst’s base hit that sent Destino, who had already stolen the second base, home.

USA Baseball collected three more runs in the eighth, out of a double by Schwarz, a triple by Tucker and a single by Loher, to set the final score to 8-0.

The Europeans, that turned six pitchers on the mound, could not find the way to score against Flaherty (2H, 3BB, 9SO in 6.0) and went hitless against relievers Marshall and Gorgas.