Guatemala provided no more competition for the USA National Team than the high schoolers from Canada had – at least in Wednesday night’s series opener.
Ole Miss’ Drew Pomeranz (pictured) broke the National Team strikeout record with 17 in just six innings, leading the Red, White and Blue to a 15-1 victory at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium in Kannapolis. The old record was 14.
Pomeranz allowed a run on two hits without a walk in team’s 30th straight win including the six in international friendlies this season.
Louisville’s Tony Zych and T.J. Walz of Kansas came on in relief, tying a USA team-record 24 strikeouts in the contest.
Cal State-Fullerton’s Christian Colon led the winners with three hits and four RBI, while Rice’s Rick Hague added three hits and one RBI.
Jorge Gutierrez doubled and scored for the visitors in the fourth inning to cut the lead to 8-1.
The teams will square off in the second of their scheduled four games tonight at 7 at Cary’s Coleman Field, with UCLA’s Gerrit Cole on the hill for the USA.