Texas-Ex Hoagland drives in six as Team USA wins 10-1
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Texas Ex Taylor Hoagland drove in six runs and hit two triples to lift Team USA to a 10-1 five-inning victory over Puerto Rico on Wednesday night at the Mayor's Cup. The Americans’ first scheduled game of the day, against Cuba, was rained out and rescheduled for Thursday at 12:30 p.m. CT.
Also See: Team USA Opens Mayor’s Cup with Two Wins
Longhorn rising senior shortstop Taylor Thom contributed to the offensive showcase with two hits and a run scored. She is batting .600 so far at the Mayor’s Cup.
Team USA took a quick lead, going ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first as Lauren Gibson walked and scored on a Valerie Arioto RBI single.
In the bottom of the second, the Americans broke loose for seven runs and an 8-0 advantage. Thom doubled and scored on a single from Destinee Martinez. Rhea Taylor followed with a walk and Lauren Chamberlain was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Amanda Chidester, who singled to right to drive in two runs and make it a 4-0 USA lead. A walk to Arioto refilled the bases for Hoagland. She stroked a triple to right and scored on a throwing error for the eight-run cushion.
Puerto Rico got a run back in the top of the third to narrow the gap to 8-1. Karla Claudio tripled to drive in Monica Santos, who had walked.
Team USA capped the scoring in the bottom of the fourth with two more runs for the 10-1 run-rule victory. Arioto walked and scored on Hoagland’s second triple of the contest. Hoagland came home again on another throwing error for the final run.
With the win, the U.S. is 3-0 in pool play and concludes round-robin action at 12:30 p.m. CT Thursday with the rescheduled Cuba game. The Americans begin the playoff portion of the tournament Thursday evening.
Copa Francisco Reyes Cup (Mayor's Cup)
(all times Central)
Tuesday, August 6 USA 11 Canada 5
Tuesday, August 6 USA 5 Argentina 1
Wednesday, August 7 USA 10 Puerto Rico 1 (five innings)
Thursday, August 8 USA vs. Cuba – 12:30 p.m.
