Ficociello Drives In Winning Run For Team USA

Editor's Note: This summer we are following Team USA Baseball because of a rarity. Two players from the same high school and town, Fullerton High, are playing for the team. So far, through 14 games this summer, both Dominic Ficociello and Michael Lorenzen have been a factor in every single game. Also, note our link to the audio and video of their games in our Bosco Radio section in the sidebar.

DURHAM, N.C. - Fullerton's Dominic Ficociello's (Arkansas, Fullerton High School) run-scoring single in the seventh proved to be the game-winner as the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team defeated Japan, 4-3, Tuesday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

For the second time during the series, Team USA used a late-inning rally to defeat Japan, and on Tuesday, it gave the club a doubleheader sweep. In addition, it gave Team USA a 3-0 advantage over Japan with two games remaining in the five-game series.

The U.S. rallied from a 3-1 deficit for Tuesday night's win, with Brian Johnson (Florida) starting it with a solo home run over the right field fence. That was his second home run with Team USA and cut the lead to 3-2.

Fullerton's Michael Lorenzen (Cal State Fullerton, Fullerton High School) then reached on a bunt single, and moved to second on a groundout. Two batters later, Lorenzen tied the game when Tyler Naquin (Texas A&M) doubled off the fence in center field. That set up Ficociello's game-winning single to center.

Marcus Stroman (Duke) worked a scoreless ninth inning for his fourth save.

Ficociello and Naquin both tallied two hits for the U.S., which finished with 10 overall.

Team USA took a 1-0 lead on a triple by Josh Elander (Texas Christian) that hit the top of the right field fence and bounced back into play, enabling Nolan Fontana (Florida) to come in from first.

Japan was held off the scoreboard until the seventh when it took the lead. Ryosuke Obuta evened the score with a double to left center, then watched as Hiroki Nakshima drove in Ryutaro Umeno on a 4-3 groundout to take a 2-1 lead.

Hiroshki Taki capped off Japan's three-run seventh with a sacrifice fly to right, making the score 3-1.

Michael Wacha (Texas A&M) worked 6 1/3 innings in a start, allowing four hits and three runs - only one of which was earned - and left down 2-1. Hoby Milner (Texas), relieving Wacha, allowed a sacrifice fly but got out of the seventh with no more damage and was the pitcher of record after Team USA's (11-1) three-run seventh.

Yusuke Nomura took the loss for Japan (0-3) to drop to 0-1. He allowed all three runs in the seventh and gave up four hits with one strikeout and a walk. Japan's starter, Tomoyuki Sugano, started, and allowed five hits and a run in six innings.

Team USA opened up Tuesday's play with an 8-2 victory over Japan in a morning contest at the National Training Complex Stadium. The College National Team scored 10 runs in the seventh inning between the two games Tuesday.

USA NOTES: Game four of the series between the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and Japan was rained out Wednesday night at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium in Kannapolis, North Carolina

The clubs managed to complete 2 ½ innings of scoreless baseball before heavy rains and thunder and lightning hit the Kannapolis area. Josh Elander (Texas Christian) managed the only hit through shortened contest.

Brady Rodgers (Arizona State) threw two scoreless innings for Team USA.

There has been no determination made at this time if the game will be made up.

Team USA and Japan play in the final game of the series Friday night at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. First pitch is slated for 8 PM ET (7 p.m. in Omaha). Bosco Fullerton Radio will have a link to the game starting at 5 PM California time.