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Olympic Baseball Recaps - 25 July (Day 6)

Baseball Preliminaries / Game 16

USA vs. JPN

USA Home Run Derby Downs Japan:

Seven of the nine starters hit home runs as the USA defeated Japan 15-5 in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, appropriately nicknamed "The Launching Pad." The USA improved to 4-0, while Japan dropped to 1-3.

Jacque JONES started the home run derby in the first with a three-run blast that would be the first of five homers in the inning, including four in succession, as the USA scored seven in the top of the first. Chad ALLEN, Troy GLAUS, A.J. HINCH and Warren MORRIS completed the record-breaking inning with back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs off two different pitchers later in the inning as the USA began its record-breaking night.

Jason WILLIAMS and Matt LECROY each added home runs in the game to complete the home run barrage. Kris BENSON, Jim PARQUE and Bradon LOOPER completed the six-hitter over seven innings as the USA prevailed by the international run-difference rule after the seventh.

Final Score: USA 15, JPN 5.

"It seemed like a dream," said Jacque JONES after the game. "It does not take anything away from Japan, but seemed like batting practice."


Baseball Preliminaries/Game 15

ITA vs. AUS

Italy Improves Medal Round Quest with Win over Australia:

With play that kept the scoreboard operator busy early and often, Italy posted a 12-8 win over Australia. The win moved Italy, which had won just two games previously in Olympic competition dating to 1984, to 2-2 overall and into sole possession of fourth place. Australia dropped to 1-3.

After a three-run first inning, Italy added two runs in each of the next four innings to build a lead that was too big for Australia to overcome. A three-run home run by Francesco CASOLARI opened the scoring for Italy in the first. Marco UBANI, 4-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs, doubled home runs in the second and fourth innings. David RIGOLI hit a solo home run in the fifth as part of the 15 Italian hits.

Despite the early deficit, Australia still made the game interesting with scoring spurts of its own. Australia pounded Italian starter Rolando CRETIS for five runs in the first three innings before reliever Roberto CABALISTI, who pitched 4 2/3 innings, slowed the attack. As CABALISTI, who earned the win, tired, Australia rallied in the eighth on a two-run home run by Andrew SCOTT to pull within 12-8. But, Paolo CECCAROLI, 1-for-5 in his starting role at first base, took the mound to strike out John MOORE with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth. He pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save.

Final Score: Italy 12, Australia 8

"I will have to bring in a fresh guy with a catcher's uniform on to pitch against the Cubans," joked Silvano AMBROSIONI, the Italian head coach, when asked who he would pitch in Italy's next game against Cuba.


Preliminaries, Game 14

NCA vs. NED

Nicaragua Defeats Netherlands

Nicaragua positioned itself alone in third place with a 7-0 victory over the Netherlands in a game ended after 6.5 innings due to rain. The Netherlands dropped to 1-3 with the loss, while Nicaragua improved to 3-1 with only Cuba and the United States with unblemished records entering today's action.

Asdrudes FLORES pitched six scoreless innings for the rain-shortened, complete game victory. He allowed just five hits and struck out eight as the Nicaraguan squad benefited from an excellent pitching performance.

Leading 7-0, rain forced a game delay. After an hour, the tarp was pulled from the field at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, only to have the rain start again as the game was called.

Final Score: Nicaragua 7, Netherlands 0.

"I think that all of the pitchers have done well," said Julio Sanchez REYNOSA, the Nicaraguan manager. "They are all doing a great job."


This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


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Olympic Factoid
The Mother Nature was kind to Olympic athletes and spectators. The average high temperature during the Games was 89 degrees with an average low of 72 degrees. Highest temperature registered (20 July) - 99 degrees. Lowest high temperature registered is 79 degrees (28 July).