UCLA Duo Heads Louisville Slugger Teams…

UCLA's Trevor Bauer

Other first team pitchers are Matt Purke-TCU (16-0, 3.02 ERA), Taylor Jungmann-Texas (8-3, 2.03 ERA), Danny Hultzen-Virginia (11-1, 2.78 ERA), Noe Ramirez-Cal State Fullerton (12-1, 2.54 ERA), and John Stilson-Texas A&M (9-1, 10 SV, 0.80 ERA).

First team position players are C-Peter O’Brien-Bethune-Cookman (.386-20 HR), 1B-Paul Hoilman-East Tennessee State (25 HR, .421), 2B-Zack MacPhee-Arizona St. (.389, 20 SB), 3B-Anthony Rendon-Rice.394, 26 HR), SS-B.A. Vollmuth-Southern Mississippi (.386, 20 HR), OF-Jackie Bradley, Jr.-South Carolina (.368, 13 HR), OF-Alex Dickerson-Indiana (.419, 24 HR), OF-George Springer-Connecticut (.337, 18 HR, 33 SB), DH-Garrett Wittels-Florida International (.413, 56-game hitting streak), UT-Mike McGee-Florida State (.328, 17 HR).

Purke is projected by Collegiate Baseball as the National Player of the Year.

Click here to see the complete 2011 Louisville Slugger Preseason 1st, 2nd and 3rd Teams

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USA Falls To Cuba In 10 Innings…

Team USA Prevails In Extra Innings…

Sonny Gray

Gray was unhittable through 3 1/3 inning retiring 10 in a row, nine by strikeout, before Theekshana Gammanpila singled down the right field line on a ball that hit first base and popped over the head of Nick Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton). In all the right-hander allowed just two runners to reach base, one was on a wild pitch strikeout) and faced two over the minimum through five innings (17 hitters) notching his second win of the summer tour. With his 14-strikeout performance, Gray also tied a CNT single-game record for punch outs joining Jason Jennings (7/1/98) and B.J. Wallace (7/20/02) in the record books.

Offensively, Team USA pounded out 12 hits and plated multiple runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings, which was finished off by back-to-back solo home runs by George Springer (Connecticut) and Nick Ramirez.

USA (12-2) manufactured a run in the first stanza on a sac fly by Jackie Bradley, Jr. (South Carolina) putting CNT up 1-0. Drew Maggi (Arizona State) doubled to right center then moved to third on Nolan Fontana’s (Florida) ground out to first before touching home on Bradley, Jr.’s long fly to center.

Neranjan Mudiyanselage (0-1) held Team USA scoreless in the second, but couldn’t overcome a six-hit, seven-run third that put USA up 8-0. Consecutive singles by Mikie Mahtook (LSU), Maggi and Fontana produced the first run before Ryan Wright (Louisville) and Springer drove in runs on one-out base hits. Mahtook completed the frame with a bases loaded triple, his second hit of the inning, scoring Springer, Nick Ramirez and Jason Esposito (Vanderbilt).

Mudiyanselage went 3 1/3 innings allowing 11 runs (nine earned) on eight hits with two strikeouts. Rajitha Dulige and Prasad Arachchilage both gave up two runs on two hits in two-third’s of an inning.

Team USA’s five-run fourth was highlighted by Esposito’s three-run double to left center. Bradley, Jr. reached on an error then scored on Wright’s double to left center. Springer drew a one-out walk and Nick Ramirez was plunked in the back loading the bases for Esposito’s two-bagger, where he advanced to third on an errant throw by the center fielder. Peter O’Brien (Bethune-Cookman) plated Esposito on a sac fly to right capping the inning.

The Collegiate National Team will be back on the diamond Sunday, Aug. 1 when the take on Chinese Taipei inside Meiji Jingu Stadium at 5 a.m. (EST).

Notes: Team USA will conduct a 2-3 hour practice on Saturday, July 31 … In other play in USA’s bracket, Canada topped Chinese Taipei 3-2 … Mikie Mahtook led all USA hitters with three hits and three RBI … Jason Esposito extended his current hit streak to six games with his double in the fourth … Team USA’s pitching staff lowered its ERA to 1.08 on the summer … Sonny Gray now has 31 strikeouts in 17.0 innings this summer.

(USA Baseball Release)

Drops 3-1 Decision In Taiwan…

Team Improves To 8-0…

Gerrit Cole

Cole (1-0) was impressive from the outset retiring nine of his first 10 batters with three strikeouts and allowed just one extra base hit on the night. Team USA’s bullpen was just as impressive as Sonny Gray (Vanderbilt) and Noe Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton) worked the final three innings allowing two hits with a pair of strikeouts. Ramirez recorded his team-best third save on CNT’s tour.

Takayuki Fujii (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on 11 hits with six walks and three strikeouts. The right-hander threw 143 pitches on the night and faced 39 batters.

Nolan Fontana (Florida) gave USA an early 1-0 lead in the first inning when he grounded out to second scoring Drew Maggi (Arizona State) from third base. Maggi lead off the game lacing a triple to right center, Team USA’s second three-bagger of the summer tour.

Team USA pushed across two more runs in the second taking a 3-0 lead. Jason Esposito (Vanderbilt) walked to start the frame then took second on Steve Rodriguez’ (UCLA) first hit of the summer, a shot back up the middle. A double-steal by Esposito and Rodriguez moved runners in scoring position before Maggi lifted a ball to center with one out scoring Esposito. Jackie Bradley, Jr. (South Carolina) singled to right with runners on the corner scoring Rodriguez for the second run of the inning before Fontana was hosed at the plate.

Japan scratched across a run in the fourth cutting USA’s lead to 3-1 when Takasi Ikusima doubled home Ryunisuke Kobayasi with a shot to left center.

Team USA scored its final run in the eighth inning when Mike Mahtook (LSU) touched home on a passed ball for a 4-1 lead. Mahtook singled up the middle with two outs then stole second and moved to third on Fontana’s bunt single back to the pitcher.

Offensively Team USA pounded out double-digit hits (11) for the third-straight game and fourth time this summer.

The Collegiate National Team will be back in action Thursday when they square off against The Strike Zone at Westside High School. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (CST).

Notes: Nick Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton) extended his current hitting streak to six games with his single to center in the third inning … Steve Rodriguez, who recorded his first career hit for Team USA, was 2-for-4 in the game with a run scored … Nine members of Team USA (Jackie Bradley, Jr., Gerrit Cole, Nolan Fontana, Sean Gilmartin, Brian Johnson, Drew Maggi, Brad Miller, Steve Rodriguez and Kyle Winkler) are among a select group of college players who played in the last College World Series and suited up for the last amateur baseball game ever at Rosenblatt Stadium … Also joining the players on this list is Team USA’s athletic trainer Danny Wheat (Texas Christian) … Team USA will participate in a closed clinic Thursday morning at Creighton University starting at 10 a.m.

(USA Baseball Release)

Wright’s Triple Sparks Victory…

Louisville's Ryan Wright

Scoreless heading into the eighth frame, Jackie Bradley Jr. (South Carolina) reached on an one-out infield single then moved into scoring position when Sung Bun Na tried to pick him off of first, throwing the ball wide right of the bag. Wright then laced a 1-2 offering just out of reach of the center fielder, Jong Wook Ko, scoring Bradley, Jr. easily from second.

Kyle Winkler (Texas Christian) picked up the win working two innings of scoreless relief with a pair of strikeouts. Starter Tyler Anderson (Oregon) scattered three hits over five innings fanning three and walking two. Cole, who made his first appearance on the bump, notched the save in two innings with a pair punch outs.

Na (0-1) suffered the loss despite giving up two hits and one run (earned) in two innings of relief work. Chi Young Lim held Team USA scoreless through 5 1/3 innings where he allowed four hits, walked four and struck out five. A trio of Korean pitchers closed the final 1 2/3 innings giving up just one base hit.

Team USA stranded eight runners on base and threatened to score in the third, fourth and sixth innings where they left at least one runner in scoring position. In the four games thus far in the series Team USA has outscored Korea 16-2 with two shutouts, including a no-hitter in the opening game of the series.

The five-game series will wrap-up Sunday afternoon at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, N.C. with a first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m. (EST).

Notes: Nick Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton) extended his hit streak to five games with his single through the right side in the fourth inning … Jackie Bradley, Jr. collected his second three-hit game of the summer season with his single in the eighth … Team USA’s pitching staff has struck out 46 batters while issuing 12 free passes in the four-game series with Korea … Jason Esposito (Vanderbilt) made his debut for Team USA as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.

(USA Baseball release)

But Rice’s Rendon Out With Broken Ankle…

Louisville's Ryan Wright

McGough and Team USA’s pitching staff held Korea to just two hits while striking out 13 total batters. Brian Johnson (Florida) got the start working two innings allowing one run with two strike outs before McGough relieved him in the third frame. Nick Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton) picked up the two-inning save with two strikeouts.

Team USA used a three-run sixth inning to take a 3-1 lead thanks to RBI singles by Nolan Fontana (Florida), Wright and Nick Ramirez. Mikie Mahtook (LSU) reached when he was plunked by a pitch then took second on a sac bunt from Drew Maggi (Arizona State). Fontana lifted a bloop single just behind bag at third pushing across Mahtook for Team USA’s first run of the contest. Jackie Bradley, Jr. drew a walk and Wright singled to left center scoring Fontana from second for the game-winning run. Nick Ramirez followed with a shot through the right side sending Bradley, Jr. home to cap the scoring.

After a two-hour rain delay, Korea struck first in the bottom of the first inning on a one-out double from Min Sik Kim that scored Hun Gon Kim from second. Hun Kim walked to lead off the inning then moved to second on a Bon Ki Shin sac bunt before Min Sik Kim stroked a two-base hit to left center.

Myung Sung Kim suffered the loss going 5 1/3 innings in the start where he surrendered two runs on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Korea would use five more pitchers over the final 3 2/3 innings allowing seven runs

Team USA scored five runs over the final two frames to claim its second win of the series and third of the season. Offensively the Collegiate National Team registered nine base hits with Wright and Nick Ramirez each posting multi-hit games.

Rice's Anthony Rendon will miss the rest of the summer with an ankle injury (photo courtesy Rice)

The two teams will travel to Fort Mill, S.C. for the third game ff the five-game series Friday night with a 7:15 p.m. (EST) first pitch scheduled at the Knights Stadium.

Notes: Team USA will take batting practice from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. at the Knights Stadium on Friday.

Rendon Out: USA Baseball Collegiate National Team third baseman Anthony Rendon (Rice) suffered a fracture-dislocation of his right ankle in Wednesday night’s 3-0 win over Korea at the National Training Complex in Cary, N.C. Baseball America‘s Player of the Year will miss the remainder of Team USA’s 2010 summer season.

The injury occurred in the first inning as Rendon was picked off of first and attempted to avoid a tag in a rundown between first and second base. He was immediately treated on-field by USA Baseball team doctors and was taken to the hospital for X-rays and further treatment. Rendon is scheduled to return to Houston on Friday for evaluation and surgery.

A replacement player will be named to the team in the coming days.

CARY, N.C. – Sean Gilmartin (Florida State) fanned five and Jackie Bradley, Jr. (South Carolina) collected three hits as Team USA picked up its first win of the summer, 8-3, Tuesday night over the Fayetteville Swampdogs of the Coastal Plain League. The game was called after 8 innings due to lightning in the area.

Gilmartin (1-0) went five innings in the start allowing two runs (both unearned) with one walk to secure his first win of the summer tour. Brett Mooneyham (Stanford) gave up a run in two innings of relief work, while freshman Brian Johnson (Florida) worked the final inning.

Offensively Team USA pounded out 12 hits with Bradley, Jr., Alex Dickerson (Indiana) and Mikie Mahtook (LSU) posting multi-hit games. Second baseman Drew Maggi (Arizona State) tied a single-game record with three stolen bases (last was Jemile Weeks on 8/10/06) and finished the game 0-for-2 with three runs scored.

Nate Cudney suffered the loss after working two innings where he allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits. Carter Capps was effective in the start striking out five in three innings and allowing one run on four hits. Greg Selarz held Team USA scoreless but gave up five hits in two innings before Nate Kerkhoff closed out the final two-third’s of an inning allowing three runs (two earned).

Final Stats

Nick Ramirez (Cal State Fullerton) drove in the game-winning run in the four-run fifth with a single through the right side scoring George Springer (Connecticut) giving Team USA a 4-3 advantage. Dickerson laced a two-RBI double down the left field line that scored Maggi and Bradley, Jr. to start the frame. Springer followed with a walk and scored the for the final run of the inning on a two-out fielding error by second baseman Chris Wychock off the bat of Mahtook for a 5-3 advantage.

Bradley, Jr. drove in the games first run in the top of the first putting Team USA up 1-0 on single up the middle that scored Maggi from second base.

Fayetteville capitalized on a pair of Team USA errors to take a 2-1 lead in the third inning. Jake Carlson singled to open the frame then landed on second thanks to a throwing error by Steve Rodriguez (UCLA) and moved over to third on a fielder’s choice bunt by Jim Roesinger. The Swampdogs knotted the game at one on a sac fly from Benton Yaun and took the lead on a Gilmartin wild pitch that plated Roesinger, who advanced to third on a stolen base and another throwing error by Rodriguez.

Nick Natoli pushed across the Swampdogs third run of the contest cutting the lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth. Yaun reached on an error then moved up on a ground out and took third on the third wild pitch of the evening for Team USA before scoring on Natoli’s groundout to first.

Team USA scored three more runs in the eighth pushing the lead to 8-3 before the game was called due to lightning.

The Collegiate National Team will be back in action Wednesday, July 14 when it opens a five-game international friendly series with Korea. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the National Training Complex in Cary, N.C.

(USA Baseball release)