LA PAMPA, Argentina (Box Score) – The U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team battled till the final inning tonight against Argentina, but fell short, dropping the tight contest 3-1.
The Eagles are 3-2 overall in tournament play with two games remaining before medal games on Saturday.
Both teams relied heavily on strong pitching, but timely hits from Argentina proved to be the difference. Team USA finished the game with one run, three hits and two errors.
GAME LEADERS
Three different players notched hits in tonight’s game with Brennan DuCharme, Braden DuCharme and Eli Rivas all recording one each. Braden DuCharme also secured an RBI with his brother, Brennan, scoring USA’s only run of the game.
Pitcher Marco Diaz pitched six innings while allowing six hits and three runs (just one earned). He struck out seven but was hurt by a pair of wild pitches and a hit batter.
GAME BREAKDOWN
To start the game, USA’s defense came up huge to keep the scoreboard clean with a beautiful double play from Braden DuCharme and Cody Gibbons to end the first inning. Argentina challenged the Eagles in the second with two singles and two players on base, but Diaz would pick up a ground ball with a toss to Gibbons at first for the final out of the inning.
Team USA would get on the board first in the top of the third inning as Braden DuCharme hit a triple on a fly ball to right field, bringing in Brennan to score and give the Eagles the 1-0 advantage. Unfortunately, the lead wouldn’t last as Argentina scored two runs in the bottom of the inning on a single and an error, taking the 2-0 lead heading to the fourth.
Argentina would score its final run of the game on a wild pitch in the bottom of the sixth, securing its third run and the victory.
UP NEXT
Team USA will look to rebound tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 18) at 2:30 p.m. CT/4:30 p.m. ART as they take on Canada in their second-to-last game of tournament play. Fans can follow along with the action at this link.
U-23 MNT Drops Tight Contest to Argentina, 3-1
