Japan Dazzles in Win over Owls, 8-1
July 1, 2011 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Forest City Owls News Release
FOREST CITY, N.C. - From the moment the Japanese Collegiate All-Stars set foot in McNair Field, the aura of anticipation surrounding them was intoxicating. They certainly did not disappoint on the diamond, defeating the Forest City Owls, 8-1, in an exhibition meeting before a capacity crowd Friday night at McNair Field.
Seth Cutler-Voltz (Virginia Commonwealth) got the starting nod for the Owls, performing admirably in seven innings of work. Cutler-Voltz allowed three runs on six hits, striking out seven batters and walking two. Despite his strong turn, the Owls' ace absorbed the loss.
Japan employed a pitcher-by-committee approach, sending nine hurlers out to the mound this evening. Those in attendance were treated to masterful performances from top prospects such as Yusuke Nomura (who started the game and earned the win), Nao Higashihama, Tomoya Mikami, and Tomoyuki Sugano.
Japan scored a run apiece in the first, third, and fourth innings. After SS Daichi Suzuki led off the game with a single to left center field, 1B Hiroshi Taki brought the team captain home with a single of his own to left field. In the third inning, with runners on the corners and nobody out, CF Yoshihiro Ikeda lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing LF Koki Sasaki to score. Japan added another run in the fourth inning, when catcher Ryutaro Umeno singled home 2B Ryosuke Obuta. Japan took a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning stretch.
The Owls showed signs of life in the bottom of the seventh inning. Dusty Quattlebaum (Gardner-Webb) entered the game in place of starting 1B Eric Fisher (Arkansas) and unleashed a double into the right-center gap. SS Reed Harper (Austin Peay) hustled home from first, cutting Japan's lead down to 3-1 heading into the eighth inning.
Japan pulled away decisively in the top of the eighth inning, scoring five runs on just four hits, mostly thanks to four Owls errors. Eight Japanese batters came up to the plate in the eighth inning, pounding Owls relievers Danny Healey (N.C. State) and Ryan Tezak (West Virginia). Forest City was unable to offer any resistance in the final innings, delivering an 8-1 victory to the Japanese.
Taki went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored. DH Hotaka Yamakawa drove home two runs and scored a run as well. Nigashihama, Daichi Osera, and Sugano combined to strike out the final seven Owls hitters. Harper was the only Owl batter to record more than one hit and also scored the only Forest City run. Quattlebaum and DH Konstantine Diamaduros (Wofford) both hit doubles.
The Owls return to the diamond tomorrow night, when they host the Wilson Tobs at McNair Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
The Forest City Owls are a member of the Coastal Plain League, entering their 15th season in the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 15th season, the Coastal Plain League features 15 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. Furthermore, the CPL has had over 930 alumni drafted and 44 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at http://www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as cpleague).
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