Team USA Finishes Round 1 Undefeated

Last night, USA Baseball concluded its first round with a convincing 10-2 victory over Panama.  The win clinched first place in Group A of the COPABE Pan American/World Cup Qualifying Tournament being held in Puerto Rico.

Mike Trout, the highly regarded first year prospect of the California Angels, once again led the way offensively for the USA.  Royals prospect Danny Duffy earned the win by hurling 5 innings of one run ball.  For the NYPL Alumni, Brad Eldred (DH) went 2-5 with a home run and 3 RBI.  Chase D'Arnaud (SS) went 2-4 with a double, a triple, 2 runs scored, 1 walk, and one RBI.  Cord Phelps (2B) went 0-4 with a walk.  Justin De Fratus (RP) made his second appearance of these games and threw an inning of scoreless relief.

After Round 1, here are the NYPL Alumni Stats:

Chase D'Arnaud (SS,Pittsburg Pirates System; NYPL-State College, 2008):
4 GP,.412 Avg.(7-17),3 2B,1 3B,4 R,4 RBI,12 TB,.706 SLG,1 BB,2 K,7 PO,13 A,2 E

Brad Eldred (DH,Colorado Rockies System; NYPL-Williamsport Crosscutter, 2002):
5 GP,.381 Avg.(8-21),2 2B,1 3B,1 HR,4 RBI,15 TB,.714 SLG,1 BB,1 HBP,4 K

Erik Kratz (C,Pittsburgh Pirates System; NYPL-Auburn Doubledays, 2003,2004):
3 GP,.333 Avg.(4-12),2 2B, 3RBI,6TB,.500 SLG,1 HBP,2 K,22 PO, 1 E

Cord Phelps (2B,Cleveland Indians System: NYPL-Mahoning Valley Scrappers,2008):
4 GP,.188 Avg.(3-16),3 RBI,3 TB,.188 SLG,1 BB,3 K,5 PO,13 A,0 E

Todd Redmond (SP,Atlanta Braves System: NYPL-Williamsport Crosscutters,2005):
1 GS,1W-0L,3.18 ERA,5.2 IP,6 H,3 R,2 ER,1 BB,4 K

Justin De Fratus (RP,Philadelphia Phillies Systerm: NYPL-Williamsport Crosscutters,2008):
2 G,0W-0L,0.00 ERA,2.1 IP,2 H,1 R,0 ER,0 BB,1 K

In Group A, the final results of Round 1 had the USA in first with a 5-0 record.  The Dominican Republic (3-2) came in 2nd, Puerto Rico (3-2) came in 3rd, and Panama (3-2) came in 4th place.  Columbia, 1-4, and Aruba, 0-5, were eliminated.

In Group B, the completion of the first round had Cuba on top at 5-0.  Second place went to Venezuela, 4-1.  Canada, at 3-2, came in third, and Nicaragua was fourth at 2-3.  Argentina, 1-4, and the Dutch Antilles, 0-5, were elimiated.

Now, Team USA will take on all four of the remaining teams in Group B.  USA will take on Nicaragua on the 8th, Venezuela on the 9th, Canada on the 10th, and Cuba on the 11th.  At the end of the second round, the top four teams will then compete in the Medal Round, and the top 6 teams will qualify for the 2011 World Cup to be held sometime next fall.