McCullers, Team USA fall short of medal

Posted Aug 2, 2010 by Adam Adkins

Updated Aug 2, 2010 at 11:12 AM

Despite finishing with a tournament-best 7-1 record at the IBAF ‘AAA’ 18U Junior World Championship in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, the USA 18-and-under National Team, which included Jesuit High standout Lance McCullers, fell short of a medal.

The United States’ lone loss in the tournament occurred in its opening game in the medal round. The 3-2 setback to Cuba knocked Team USA from medal contention.

McCullers, who is 16 and was one of only two Class of 2012 graduates to make the 18-and-under national squad, saw limited action this summer during the team’s 21 games, which included a two-week tuneup of 13 games prior to the international tournament. He struck out nine and walked seven in 7 2/3 hitless innings on the mound, all in releif, while notching a pair of saves. He registered just eight at-bats, but hit .500 with a double, a home run and 5 RBIs. McCullers’ homer, a grand slam, came in a rout against France in USA’s final game of pool play at the world championships.

Chinese Taipei won the 12-nation tournament, defeating Australia in the gold medal game Sunday. The U.S., which defeated the Netherlands 18-2 in its final consolation game Sunday, went 19-2 overall this summer.