USA Softball remains undefeated in ISF Men’s World Cup with 8-1 win

June 20, 2007

PRAGUE, CZ --The USA Softball Men's National Team explodedfor six runs in the fifth inning to score its second run rule win of the dayand third overall of the tournament by defeating Santa Isabel Zaragoza ofSpain, 8-1, to remain undefeated in the ISF Men’s World Cup

Until the fifth inning, the USA, now a perfect 5-0, held only a2-1 lead against Santa Isabel Zaragoza, which suffered its fourth defeat in asmany games. 

The USA's Chris DeLarwelle (Appleton, Wis.) doubled home thefirst USA run in the bottomof the first inning and Nate Devin (Merced Calif.) plated the second runwith a sacrifice fly that brought home Chris Miljavac (St. Joseph Mo.) who tripled to open the third inning.

Santa Isabel Zaragoza closed the margin to one run in thetop of the fifth inning on a solo homer by Miguel Andrade off USA starter and winning pitcher Cody Thomson (Salt Lake City, Utah).Thomson picked up his first win in two starts after a solid performance thatincluded 12 strikeouts.  He allowed only two hits in 4 2/3 innings of work andwas replaced by Travis Price (Santa Ana, Calif.) who camein and recorded the final out in the top of the fifth inning.   

In the bottom of the fifth inning the USA picked up the runs it needed toshorten the game to just five innings. The Red, White and Blue got a two-runRBI double by DeLarwelle, an RBI single by Daryn Miller (Creve Coeur,Ill.) and a three-run walk-off homer by Blake Miller (Albany, Ga.)to hand pitcher Gabriel Melendez the loss. Melendez had allowed onlythree hits through four innings before the USA's bats came alive in fifthinning. Miller's opposite field shot, which came with one out, was hissecond in as many games.

The USAfinished the game collecting eight hits and was led by DeLarwelle who was aperfect 3-for-3 on the night with a pair of doubles and a single. Miljavac alsohad multiple hits in the game going 2-for-3 with a triple and a single.

Next up for the USAis a showdown with the host team, Czech Republicon Thursday, June 21, at 1 p.m. CST in Havlickuv Brod, which is 60 milessoutheast of Prague in Eastern Bohemia. The USAwill complete round-robin play on Friday, June 22 when they take on the PragueStars and undefeated VenezuelaThe Page Playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 23.

 
GAME 5 STATS