Nick Mullins powered Team USA to the ISF Men’s World Softball Championship, Consolation Title, with a home run in the sixth inning.
SASKATOON, SK, Canada – With one powerful swing of his bat, Nick Mullins erased a stalemate with Mexico and gave the United States the Consolation Championship of the ISF Men’s World Softball Championship at Gordon Howe Softball Park, Saturday.
Mullins came to the plate with two out in the bottom of the sixth and blasted a solo shot over the left field fence breaking a 3-all tie. All pitcher Tony Mancha had to do was close out Mexico in the seventh. And he did, ending the game with a ground ball to give Team USA a 4-3 victory and the consolation title.
Team USA finishes 3-0 in the consolation playoffs and 4-3 in Pool B, good for fifth place.
Team USA jumped out to commanding start in the first inning, sending eight batters to the plate. And before the inning ended, the Americans had Mexico on the ropes, leading 3-0.
Chris Miljavic started things off by working Mexico’s Samuel Vilalvazo for a walk. Kris Bogach followed with a single putting runners at first and third, and Josh Johnson brought home Miljavic with an RBI single.
But Team USA wasn’t finished as Derrick Zechman drilled a single chasing in two more runs.
Mexico fought back to tie the game 3-3 on Alex Garcia’s RBI single in the second, and Edgar Lopez’s two-run homer in the fourth.
Then after a scoreless fifth inning, Mullins came to the plate in the sixth with two out. And he didn’t disappoint his teammates, blasting the game-winning home run to send the Americans home with a title.
For his efforts (1-for-3, RBI, run) Mullins was selected the “Player of The Game” by the Ballpark Radio broadcasting crew.
Along with Mullins’ production, Nate Devine was 1-for-4, run; Chase Turner 1-for-3, Zechman 1-for-3, 2 RBI; Bogach 1-for-2, and Johnson went 1-for-2, RBI, run.
MANCHA SOLID IN WORLD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
USA’s Tony Mancha pitched seven innings, allowing three earned runs on just four hits, with two walks and 12 strikeouts.
The right-hander from El Paso, Texas finishes the world softball championship with a 3-2 record over 27 2/3 innings. He allowed 12 hits, 12 walks with 45 strikeouts for a 2.37 ERA.
FINAL CONSOLATION STANDINGS
United States 3-0
Mexico 2-1
Guatemala 1-1
Great Britain 1-1
Netherlands 0-1
Philippines 0-1
Denmark 0-1
Indonesia 0-0
Josh Johnson
