USA Softball Junior Men conclude Michigan exhibition tour

OKLAHOMA CITY – The USA Softball Junior Men’s National Team (JMNT) was eliminated from the Midland, Mich. tournament in a 5 -1 loss to the Lightning of Marshall, Michigan Sunday afternoon the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced today. The loss concludes Team USA’s 10 day trek across Michigan as part of a selection and training camp as the JMNT prepares for the International Softball Federation (ISF) Junior Men’s World Championships, November 1 -10 in Parana, Argentina.

The lone USA run scored in the third inning. Jordan Mellen (Payson, Utah) reached first on an error then later advanced on a walk to Nick Serrato (Corona, Calif.) and scored on a single by Joel Melendez (El Paso, Tex.).

Trailing by just 2 -1 in the sixth inning, Mauro Olivarria (San Diego, Calif.) led off the inning with a triple. Melendez reached first on an error which put runners on first and third. Following two strikeouts, Jonathon Lynch (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) walked to load the bases but another strikeout ended the USA’s offensive threat.

Jerlin Rutt (Berniville Pa.) went the distance on the mound, giving up eight hits, with five walks and seven strikeouts. Three of the five Lightning runs came across in the top of the seventh inning on a single, two doubles and a triple.

“We didn’t make the in-game adjustments at the plate that we needed to make today,” said USA head coach Tim Lyon. “Overall this week of training was a very good experience for us. We played 15 games against good competition in five different venues and overall the kids did a very good job.”

Team USA ended their week in Michigan with a 9 -6 record. The naming of the final 17 players that will represent the USA at the ISF Junior Men’s World Championship in Argentina, will take place following the ASA Boys’ 18-Under National Tournament August 2 -5 in Rolla, Mo.