Tug Hulett put the U.S. on the board in the bottom of the second inning when he hit a bases loaded double to centerfield to score Terry Tiffee and Justin Smoak. Buck Coats then followed with a sacrifice fly to center to extend the Team USA lead to 3-0 on Canadian starting pitcher Nick Bucci.
Team Canada tied the game in the third inning when Rene Tosoni hit an infield single to score Jonathan Malo from second base and Shawn Brown followed with a two-RBI double. Adam Loewen then hit an RBI single to left field in the fourth inning to put Canada ahead 4-3.
The U.S. reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning when Tiffee hit an RBI groundout to second base and Josh Kroeger singled to centerfield for the go-ahead run.
Team USA pushed its final run of the game across the plate in the sixth inning on a double play for the final tally of 6-4.
USA starter Kasey Kiker pitched three innings, giving up three runs on three hits. Lucas Harrell (1-0) also pitched three innings, giving up one run and striking out two batters for the win. Cedrick Bowers, Jason Childers and Geno Espineli each pitched an inning of hitless baseball to finish the game.
Canadian starter Nick Bucci went four innings, giving up three runs and striking out four batters. Bryan Dumesnil (0-1) picked up the loss after giving up three runs in his two innings of work.
Team USA and Team Canada will face off in game two of the four game series on Friday, September 4, at the USA Baseball National Training Complex. First pitch is slated for 6:30 PM. Brad Lincoln is slated to start on the mound for the U.S.
