Stassi, Team USA open with victory

Yuba City High catcher Max Stassi and the rest of the USA Baseball 18U National Team opened play Saturday in the International Baseball Federation's "AAA" World Junior Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with a 5-1 win over Australia.

Stassi caught the entire game, recording 12 putouts. He went 0-for-3 at the plate.

Ryan Weber permitted just seven hits and no earned runs while striking out 10 in eight innings.

"Our players came out with great enthusiasm and played with confidence," Team USA Head Coach Mark Elkins said. "They turned in a solid performance today. It's always much better to start 1-0 rather than 0-1."

Team USA wrapped up a perfect exhibition season Wednesday with a doubleheader sweep at Okotoks, Alberta.

In the opener, Team USA rallied from an early three-run deficit, then broke a 5-5 tie with a four-run sixth inning in a 9-6 win against Canada. Stassi went 1-for-2.

The Americans completed the sweep with a 4-2 win against Chinese Taipei.

With the victories, Team USA finished exhibition play with a 6-0 record. Stassi appeared in five game, starting four. He entered the World Championships batting .333 with a home run.

Besides Australia, joining Team USA in its six-team pool at the World Championships are defending champion Korea as well as Mexico, the Netherlands and Russia.

The tournament's other six-team pool features Canada, Chinese Taipei, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Italy and Puerto Rico.

Team USA faces the Netherlands at 6:05 p.m. today, followed by Russia on Monday, Mexico on Tuesday and Korea on Wednesday.