UPDATED 12/31/2011

GAME 2 PS WORLD CLASSIC (USA vs. World)

GAME 2: USA Beats World 10-5 Behind Big Bats in World Classic

PHOENIX, AZ- Game two was a highly anticipated matchup with USA and World, with USA winning 10-5 in 8 innings.  The World team features players from six different countries including Canada, The Bahamas, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.  USA might have the most talented roster at the Power Showcase.

Junior lefty Riley Gates (Snow Canyon HS, UT) came out dealing for the USA squad, throwing mid-high-80s in the first inning with a sharp curve.  He struggled with control and walked two, but gave up no hits in his two innings of work.

In the bottom of the first, USA sophomore outfielder Gerard Hernandez (Pinnacle HS, AZ) electrified the crowd by crushing an opposite field triple to the left-center field wall.  Hernandez ended up coming all the way around to score after an errant throw, putting the USA team up 1-0.  The powerfully built 5’9” lefthanded hitter will be a premium NCAA recruit over his last three years in high school.  Though he hit only one homer in the Home Run Derby, Hernandez showed the best wood bat-speed at the event.

Later, in the sixth inning, Hernandez smoked another triple, this time down the right field line.

Gates was relieved by fellow Utah righty Riley Ottesen (American Fork HS, UT).  Ottesen, who is a definite D1 prospect as a junior, struggled with his control and for bad defense behind him in the third inning.  The World squad came back with four runs, highlighted by Janluis Castro’s two-run triple, a hard line-drive to the opposite field.

The 5’9”, 160 lb Puerto Rican junior (International Baseball Academy) is committed already to Alabama State.  Castro is a promising young hitter with a sweet lefthanded stroke. But he also has pure middle actions with quick feet and a short release on his throws.  Castro can play shortstop in college and is a prototype second baseman in the pros.

It got ugly in the bottom of the fourth as USA scored seven runs with the help of four World team errors.  Sophomore Justin Bellinger (St. Sebastian’s HS, MA) delivered the most damaging blow with a three-run double.  The 6’6”, 220 lb lefthanded hitter has committed early to Vanderbilt.  He’s shown not only raw power (by hitting a 477-foot homer in the Derby), but the ability to hit to the opposite field.  After four, USA was up 9-4.

They made it 10-4 in the bottom of the fifth with a double by another breakthrough star in the Class of 2013.  Kevin Franklin is an outfielder from Gahr HS outside of Los Angeles who crushed one to the center field wall and also showed good speed trying (unsuccessfully) to stretch it into a triple.  He would have made it if not for a crisp relay throw by Janluis Castro.

At 6’2”, 210 lbs, Franklin has a strong but mature body that might not have much projection.  He’s particularly thick in his legs and hips.  Franklin showed a powerful righthanded stroke during the Home Run Derby on Tuesday.  He played mostly at second base today.

USA sophomore righty Ryan Castellini (Brophy Prep HS, AZ) was impressive coming in relief in the 8^th inning.  The 6’4”, 190 pounder threw 86-89 MPH with a mid-70s curve that has a chance to develop.  Look for Castellini to get a lot of pro and college attention.

Justin Bellinger was given the MVP on the strength of his bases clearing double.

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All-World Classic Schedule & Format – Home Team is All-World

All-America Schedule ~ Times – Batting Practice, Defense and Locations

12:30pm Player Check-in for both All-America & All-World Rosters

1:30pm to 2:00pm Batting Practice (30-minutes)

2:00pm to 2:15pm Stretch/Arms

2:15pm to 2:30pm Infield/Outfield

2:30pm to 2:35pm Players get dressed

2:35pm to 2:40pm Players announced

2:45pm to 2:50pm National Anthem

2:50pm to 3:00pm Prep Field – Game Time

GAME TIME 3:00pm

All-World Team Schedule ~ Times – Batting Practice, Defense and Locations

12:30pm Player Check-in for both All-America & All-World Roster

1:15pm to 1:45pm Stretch/Arms (get lose in the bullpens if PS going on)

1:45pm to 2:00pm Infield outfield

2:00pm to 2:30pm Batting Practice (30-minutes) indoor cage

2:30pm to 2:40pm Player get dressed

2:40pm to 2:45pm Players announced

2:45pm to 2:50pm National Anthem

2:50pm to 3:00pm Prep Field – Game Time

GAME TIME 3:00pm