The Thurston County Senators were unable to pull off the mother of all upsets at the 2016 Ramada World Baseball Challenge dropping a 12-9 decision to Japan on Wednesday.
A first pitch home run blasted by Tsuyoshi Sugano kicked off the festivities for the Japanese who would also get a 2 run homer from Tatsuya Maruko to take a commanding 5-0 lead after 1 inning.
Sugano and Maruko would also be responsible the team’s three-run third inning to claim an 8-0 advantage.
The Senators would rally after making several key substitutions after falling behind by nine thanks to RBI’s from Connor Bensen, D’Aundray Van Slyke, and Keone McKee.
Omar Maldonado III smacked a three-run moon shot to start the top of the 7th followed by a 2 RBI single from Nick Bowman to make things interesting.
Senators Manager, Abe Lupkin says even though they came up short, he was proud of the way his team responded.
“This is a team with a lot of competitors on it, these guys are hungry to play and have a never say die attitude by fighting every pitch they can.”
Thurston County First baseman, Connor Bensen explains what went right during the rally. “We rattled that first pitcher, got into their bullpen, and played nine innings and didn’t fold so I’m pretty happy with everybody’s play.”
Thurston County drops to 1-3 and plays Canadian Sidearm Nation at 4PM this afternoon while Japan is in action against the Kamloops Sun Devils at 8PM.