Vanderbilt's Mike Minor and the rest of the United States national team made history Sunday, defeating Cuba in the championship game of the 24th Haarlem Baseball Week at Pim Mullier Stadium in the Netherlands. It marked the first that time an American national team had defeated a Cuba Olympic in a tournament title game. The same Cuban squad that Minor handcuffed twice will compete in Beijing next month.
“What this team has accomplished is amazing,” said USA Baseball National Team coach Rob Walton. “These players may not realize the significance of this victory right now, but this was a big win. To beat a team with the history of success that Cuba has is something of which these guys should be proud.”
Minor gave up one unearned run on four hits and four walks with six strikeouts over six innings. He also pitched 6.1 scoreless innings in the Americans' 1-0 victory over Cuba last Sunday.
Team USA improved to 14-0 on the 2008 tour and finished 7-0 in the Haarlem Baseball Week.
“Winning an international competition and doing it against Cuba’s best team is an historic accomplish,” said USA Baseball National Team general manager Eric Campbell. “It really shows the quality of the college game in America. I’m happy for these players and this coaching staff, and I’m proud to put these men in USA Baseball uniforms.”
Minor has been terrific this summer, serving as Team USA's ace, and looks poised for a dominant junior season with the Commodores.
Photo [CSTV]
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1 comment:
Mikie was apparently named Most Outstanding Pitcher for the tourney (which Volz could easily have also taken).
When Mikie faced the Cubans the first time, it looked like he wouldn't be lined up for the Gold game and Brian Foley of the College Baseball Blog and I were wondering what the coaches were thinking. Looks like we didn't do our math (or maybe the rainouts pushed things back enough for this to work out).
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