August 2, 2006

Southeast pounds Asia-Pacific
Dugout

One thing you can say for the team from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is that the players know how to hit.

After finding that 14 runs were not enough for victory on Sunday, the U.S. Southeast team hit six home runs in route to a 23-3 victory over Guam Tuesday afternoon.

Guam actually led briefly in the top of the fifth. Michael Cruz opened the game with a single and reached third base with a steal and a wild pitch. Alejandro Diaz hit a single to bring Cruz home and give Guam a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, Florida scored four runs — what turned out to be their lightest run production of the game. J.J. Corriveau and Mike Liddell drew walks, then Alex Benson hit a single that loaded the bases.

Chad Rose then drew a walk, giving Florida its first run. Bobby Corriveau hit a single to drive in another run. Then Andy Caprio's single brought home two more runs.

There was more of the same in the second inning. Cory Hayes got on base with a walk, then Mike Liddell singled. Alex Benson singled and drove in one run.

Chad Rose singled to load the bases, then Juice Ortega hit a grand slam home run that increased Florida's lead to 9-1.

Against the U.S. East team Sunday, Florida had an 11-0 lead before allowing Delaware to come back and earn a 21-14 victory. The Sunshine State players were not going to make the same mistake twice.

In the third inning, Florida scored 9 more runs. The inning started with J.J. Corriveau hitting a single. Corey Hayes followed with a two-run homer. Mike Liddell was hit by a pitch, and Alex Benson drew a walk. With two outs, Bobby Corriveau singled to load the bases.

A run scored when Andy Caprico reached base on an error, and another came in due to John Hodgemen's base on balls.

J.J. Corriveau then hit the game's second grand slam home run, increasing Florida's lead to 17-1. Chad Hayes followed with a solo shot — his second home run of the inning.

In the top of the fourth, Matthew Barcinas and Kurt Diaz each had solo home runs to make the score 18-3.

In the bottom of the inning, Florida's Alex Benson hit a solo home run. Then two errors and a walk loaded the bases once more for Florida. John Hodgman hit the team's third grand slam homer of the night to close out the scoring.

Florida improved to 2-1 while Guam dropped to 0-4.