Tulsa World: Pokes, Walton lead USA

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Pokes, Walton lead USA

By GLENN HIBDON World Sports Writer
Published: 7/20/2008 2:17 AM
Last Modified: 7/20/2008 2:56 AM

Team beats the Czech Republic on Saturday.

Led by Oral Roberts University coach Rob Walton and the pitching of Oklahoma State standouts Andrew Oliver and Tyler Lyons, the USA Baseball National Team is inching closer to the FISU World Championship in the Czech Republic.

After sweeping the Haarlem, The Netherlands, Baseball Week title with a 4-1 victory over Cuba, the USA opened championship pool play with a 5-2 win over Korea on Friday and beat the Czech Republic 8-2 Saturday. Walton's team will meet Lithuania on Sunday, Canada on Tuesday, Japan on Wednesday and Chinese Taipei on Thursday before the final rounds next weekend.

Oliver has been impressive for the USA, now 17-0, compiling a 2-0 record in 14 innings, allowing nine hits, two runs and six walks while striking out 19. Oliver beat Taipei 4-2 on June 27, allowing three hits and one walk while fanning eight in six innings. In a five-inning stint on Wednesday, Oliver stopped the Czech Republic 5-0, giving up four hits.

Lyons has been used primarily as a reliever, but started a game and has one victory in seven appearances. He's tossed 7 1/3 innings, permitting two hits and one walk with 10 strikeouts.

The most impressive accomplishment thus far for the USA is beating Cuba in the tournament championship game. Third baseman Mike Leake from Arizona State, shortstop Christian Colon from Cal-State Fullerton and center fielder Matt den Dekker from Florida each had two hits in the USA's nine-hit attack. Blake Smith from California scored two runs and also rapped a home run.

"What this team has accomplished is amazing," Walton said in a statement. "These players may not realize the significance of this victory right now, but this was a big win. To beat a team with the history of success that Cuba has is something of which these guys should be proud."

Cuba's team was the same roster, minus one player, that won the 2006 silver medal at the World Baseball Classic and 2004 Olympic championship. It is also the same team that will compete in Beijing next month. The victory marked the first time that an American collegiate national team beat the Cuban Olympic team in a tournament title game.

"Winning an international competition and doing it against Cuba's best team is an historic accomplishment," said USA Baseball National Team general manager Eric Campbell. "It really shows the quality of the college game in America. I'm happy for these players and this coaching staff. And I'm proud to put these men in USA Baseball uniforms."

Glenn Hibdon 581-8396
glenn.hibdon@tulsaworld.com By GLENN HIBDON World Sports Writer

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