As the summer draws to an end, we’re going to look back top events, teams and players.
One of those events took place in June as part of the innovative International Challenge produced by Triple Crown and you can click HERE to see which countries had teams and the rosters representing each of the two dozen total squads.
The International Challenge ran from June 25-27, 2021, prior to the 4th of July club tourney run in the Denver, Colorado area, and came down to two teams: one you’d expect (United States) and one that maybe you wouldn’t (South Korea)!
Here’s a recap…
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Some of the best travel ball players in the United States were finally able to battle it out at the inaugural Triple Crown International Challenge after the event had been delayed since 2020 due to COVID.
The International Challenge recruited top player from nation to form teams representing countries based on players ethnicity and heritage.
Overall, the tournament consisted of 24 teams representing 19 countries.
The tournament format had teams playing three pool games, which seeded them into a single elimination bracket. The eventual winner was then required to battle its way through a tough bracket and win three games to be crowned the winner of the TCS International Challenge.
After bracket play, the Gold medal game found a fast and powerful USA Blue team against an aggressive and determined Team South Korea unit.
The Gold medal game ended up being a competitive one between two talented, balanced and well-coached teams. In the end, an infield out and wild pitch brought home the deciding runs for USA Blue, giving it a 4-2 victory to claim the championship.
USA Blue pitcher Kylie Chung went all seven innings and struck out 12 batters, allowing two unearned runs on two hits and two walks.
Laurel Moody hit a game-tying solo home run for USA Blue in the top of the fifth inning and later she drove in a run in the seventh on a groundout. Chung added to the tally by scoring a run on a wild pitch after reaching base on a fielder’s choice.
“The game often gets away from people, so I try to slow it down in big moments and hit my spots,” said Chung, who mixed her strong fastball with a willingness to go with breaking pitches in any count. “I was able to come through for my team because I was ready when things began to speed up. I felt really confident—my catcher Addie (Mettler) and I are on the same (club) team—so we were already on the same page.”
South Korea took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on a single from Katelyn Park, and with starter Keira Bucher looking strong in the circle, an upset looked more than possible (USA Blue had gone undefeated through the event).
But that’s when Moody calmed the vibe with a long home run to left-center.
“I was looking for my pitch, and I wanted to play for my pitcher, who was throwing really well,” Moody said. “The home run, just got my pitch and hit it, looking for something down in the zone. We really played together, played for one another, and picked each other up. We had a lot of good at-bats.”
Paige Dimler, the outfielder committed to Arizona, singled and scored in the fourth inning on a hit by Mettler for the game’s first run. Dimler also made a great throw from center field to ring up a runner trying to extend a hit to a double.
“It was about being there for each other. At this level, they know they are good, but you still have to execute,” said USA Blue coach Ben McKinney. “There was certainly pressure and adversity in this game, but each player knew they had the support of the bench, and everyone played hard.”
“We know to put the ball in play,” the coach continued, “and championships are won by putting balls in play. It worked out for us. The South Korean team gave us all we could handle and could have easily won the game. They had no weaknesses and played well; we (USA Team Blue) were very fortunate to come away with the Gold medal. I couldn’t be prouder of our team and how quickly we jelled and competed.”
Coach McKinney continued:
“I want to say thanks to Triple Crown and (event director) Manny Travieso, because this is an amazing event and the start of something really big for not only for Triple Crown, but for the players who will represent and compete for their countries in the future.”
Congratulations to the 2021 International Challenge Champions, Team USA Blue! 🇺🇸🥎🌎 Thanks to all the player, parents and staff who made the inaugural event a HUGE success! #IPlayTCS | #cosparkfire https://t.co/iLFBR1pYoa
— Triple Crown Sports (@triplecrownspts) June 28, 2021
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Here are the rosters of the two teams that made the International Challenge championship game:
