No. 6 USA claims tournament title in preparations for WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship

Post date: Jun 12, 2017 2:46:52 AM

STEVENS, Pa, USA  – The United States – the world’s No. 6 Men’s Softball National Team – took home the 2017 Rodney Fox Memorial Tournament title in their first preparatory event leading up to the 2017 WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship.

Earning a spot in the finale after posting a 13-3 (five inning) win earlier in the day, the U.S. had timely hitting at the plate and a strong outing in the circle from Tony Mancha, who allowed just two hits.

The Rodney Fox Memorial Tournament is one of three events in which members of the 2017 USA Men’s National Team will compete in prior to the 2017 WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship.  The team will also participate in the Father’s Day Memorial Tournament in Houston, Texas from 16-18 June and the Vancouver Challenge 1-3 July in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.

With Denny Bruckert at the helm of the Men’s National Team, the U.S. coaching staff also includes Greg Hicks, Gregg Leather, and Nick McCurry.

The final 17-player roster for the 2017 USA Softball Men’s National Team will be determined prior to the WBSC Men’s Softball World Championship, which will be held July 4-17 in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.

Championship Game: USA 8, Globe 0 (six inning)

Facing one of the best pitchers in the international game, Team USA proved they are a force to be reckoned with as the team slugged their way to an 8-0 (six inning) win over Globe.  After taking the lead in the bottom of the second inning after Bryce Kay sent out a two-run shot, the U.S. never looked back as Mancha kept all but three Globe hitters off the bases.

“These guys played as a team,” said Head Coach Denny Bruckert.  “We swung the bats against some good pitching and our defense played really good all weekend.  All in all, we did a really good job all weekend and I’m excited to see how this team develops.”

Semifinal: USA 13, Elanco 3 (five inning)

Jeff Nowaczyk had a day at the plate to help land the U.S. in the Championship Game.  With a perfect 3-for-3 performance in the batter’s box, Nowaczyk sent two balls out of the park to pick up four RBI while Chris Heinlein, Tyler Dudley, Kay and Erick Ochoa each picked up a home run in the run-rule contest.

BJ Hunhoff earned the win in the circle, pitching the first four innings with two strikeouts, three hits and three runs.  Duane Weiler entered in relief in the final frame, retiring each batter faced while picking up one strikeout.

The 2017 WBSC Men’s World Softball Championship in Whitehorse will feature the second largest number of countries in the event’s history. Twenty teams from five regions will compete for the title, 7-16 July at the Pepsi Softball Centre.

As hosts, Canada is looking to defend their world title after capturing gold in 2015, their first since 1992. New Zealand took home the silver in 2015 while Venezuela claimed the bronze. USA finished in 9th place overall.

For further information, including ticketing, visit www.2017mensworldsoftball.com/.