U.S. Walks Off in Series Opener Against Japan

Tyler Frank drove in the game-winning runs in the ninth inning as the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team earned a walk-off victory over Japan, 2-1, on Wednesday in the series opener of the 41st USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series from Dunkin Donuts Park.

Trailing 1-0 in the ninth inning, Andrew Vaughn hit a infield single followed by Cadyn Grenier lining a double to center field to put runners on second and third base. That set up pinch hitter Frank who ripped the first pitch into center field to win the game.
Japan scored the game's first run in the top of the first inning as Taishi Kusumoto hit a RBI-single through the right side of the infield to score Kairi Shimada who led off the game with a single up the middle.
Nick Sprengel earned the win tossing a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts. Starting pitcher Tyler Holton tossed 4.0 innings allowing just one run on five hits with five strikeouts. Patrick Raby threw 4.0 shutout innings in relief scattering two hits with two punch outs.
The U.S. team ended the game with two runs on seven hits with one error, while Japan finished with one run on seven hits and one error.
The United States will continue its five-game series with Japan in the 41st USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series on Thursday at 7 p.m. from Hanover Insurance Park in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The series against Japan is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.