OSAKA – Santa Barbara High’s Kevin Gowdy allowed one run and struck out six in 5.2 innings for Team USA in a 5-1 win over Mexico at the WBSC U-18 World Cup on Saturday.
Gowdy picked up the win, which came after Team USA suffered a 3-0 loss to Japan. The Americans finished 4-1 in pool play and begin the six-nation Super Round on Thursday against South Korea.
Gowdy, who is entering his senior year at Santa Barbara, was relieved by Ian Anderson (Rexford, N.Y.) in the sixth and he finished out the game to earn the save.
“On the mound I thought Kevin Gowdy pitched really well,”Team USA manager Glenn Cecchini said. “Then Ian [Anderson] came in and hit a guy, but boy he bounced back. He got a big strikeout which put the momentum back on our side and just shut things down after that.”
The USA’s other wins in pool play came over Czech Republic, Australia and Brazil.
For more information on the USA Baseball 18U National Team, please visit USABaseball.com and follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter.
