Dirtbags head coach Mike Weathers had Team USA playing well against Chinese Taipei, winning four of the five match-ups. But the U.S. seemingly met its match with the China University All-Stars, which came into the series with a dismal 1-3 record.
Despite strong offensive and defensive outings by Dirtbag shortstop Danny Espinosa, the U.S. lost its first home series to Japan in the 36th Annual Collegiate Championship Series.
Team USA (11-5) finished off its series against Chinese Taipei in impressive fashion, defeating the Taiwanese 5-1 at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium in Kannapolis, N.C. The U.S. led 5-0 after three innings and never looked back. But one player who went forward was Espinosa, scoring a run and driving in two more in four at-bats. On defense, Espinosa recorded three putouts and two assists.
The U.S. took its dominance of Chinese Taipei into the series against Japan in what turned out to be an intense series. Team USA began the series with a 7-2 on the Fourth of July at Durham Bulls Ballpark in Durham, N.C.
Going into the third inning of a tied game, Team USA racked off four runs to take a commanding 5-1 lead that was never threatened during the rest of the contest. Espinosa contributed three assists on defense in the holiday victory.
After a victory on a day celebrating the country’s independence, Team USA spent the next three games being not so celebratory. The U.S. lost the second game 3-2, which it was held scoreless the first six innings in Kannapolis. The U.S. team would rally in the seventh to trail by one, but would get no closer. Only three U.S. players had hits in the loss.
The unthinkable would occur after game 3, as Team USA began its first losing streak of the season, losing 2-1, in Durham. The game was decided in the second inning, for all of the runs occurred in the frame. Danny Espinosa, after missing the previous game, had four putouts and four assists.
The slump would continue for Team USA in Durham, as the U.S. lost the decisive fourth game 5-2. Team USA allowed 10 hits, forced no errors while recording four of its own as the team never got into any rhythm throughout the entire game. While Espinosa’s offensive drought persisted once more, he continued to play exceptionally well on defense, recording two putouts and two assists.
The third consecutive loss clinched the series for Japan, and resulted in its first series victory in the U.S. in 19 attempts.
Despite the series belonging to Japan, the final game belonged to the U.S. as it snapped out of its recent dismal efforts to win 7-3. Trailing 2-1 going into the seventh, Team USA torched the All-Stars with six runs to seal the victory.
Weathers and Team USA will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the Pan American Games, beginning with a July 14 match-up against the Dominican Republic. Despite the surprising series loss, the U.S. will have the opportunity to avenge its setback on Aug. 2, when Team USA plays Japan in the opener of the World Port Tournament in the Netherlands.
