July 5, 2003
MYRTLE BEACH, SC. -- Justin Verlander (Goochland, VA.) worked six and 2/3 innings andHouston Street (Texas) earned his second save of the summer as the U.S. National Team (4-0)defeated Japan, 3-0 on Independence Day.
Verlander, a first team all-CAA selection allowed no runs on three hits and struckout five hitters to improve to 2-0 this summer with Team USA. Through two games, Verlanderhas a 0.71 earned run aveage with 15 strikeouts in 12.2 innings.
Team USA has now won three games and will face Japan again on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.at Coastal Federal Field.
USA broke a scoreless tied in the bottom of the fourth inning. After a two-out doubleby Danny Putnam (Stanford). Brent Lillibridge knocked a RBI single to centerfield toscore putnam. Lillibridge's single was misplayed by Japan centerfielder KojiNakamura allowing Lillibridge to round the bases, and score to give USA at 2-0 lead.USA increased the lead to 3-0 in the eighth inning as a sacrifice fly from EricPatterson (Georgia Tech) scored Seth Smith (Mississippi), who led the inning off with adouble.
With that win vs. Japan, the USA has kept alice an undefeated streak of winningthe USA-Japan series on US soil. The USA is now 17-0 on home soil vs. Japan.
Andrew KitickUSA Baseballwww.usabaseball.com