August 2, 2006

California rolls in 7th inning to take win
Dugout

California scored 10 runs in the top of the seventh to break away from a Canadian team that was close to scoring an upset over the unbeaten U.S. West representatives.

The 14-4 win over Canada gave California a 4-0 record and clinched a spot in Friday's pool championships. Thursday's loss by the U.S. Southeast team clinched first place in the Pool A.

California scored in the first inning when Kellen Fink hit a single, moved to third base on a couple of ground-outs, then scored on a wild pitch.

Canada answered in the bottom of the inning. Joel Hanson hit a double, then came home off Rob Brett's single to tie the score at 1-1.

In the top of the second, California's Garrett Rau opened with a single, then stole second base. He advanced to third on a sacrifice fly by Jason Barmasse, then came home on a passed ball.

Michael Ricatto walked, then worked his way to third base, where he scored on a sacrifice fly by Cole Kahle, giving California a 3-1 lead.

Canada trimmed that lead in the bottom of the third when Dan Paulson walked, moved to second on Josh Hanson's sacrifice fly, then scored on a base hit by Rob Brett.

The West answered in the top of the fourth. Jason Barmasse reached on a base on balls, then advanced to second on Michael Ricatto's bunt. He scored on a base hit by Kellen Fink.

Canada tied the score in the bottom of the fifth when Joel Hanson got a base hit, then Miller Morache drew a walk. A single by Jono Voros brought in one run. John Lambert's single scored another run to tie the game 4-4.

Canadian pitcher Steve Jaggard left the game with one out in the seventh due to leg cramps. From there, it wasn't very pretty for the Canadian team.

Kyle Jones walked, then was driven in by Cole Kahle's two-run homer.

A base hit by Cody Fierro and a walk drawn by Stephen Notaro led to Bret Fick's 3-run home, which increased the lead to 9-4.

Garrett Rau reached on an error, Jason Barmasse hit a single and Michael Ricatto walked to load the bases. One run scored when Kyle Jones drew his second walk of the inning. Two more came in when Cole Kahle reached on an error. Stephen Notaro drove in the final two runs with a single.

Canada had runners on second and third when the final out of the seventh inning was made.

Canada dropped to 0-3.