Hiura Hammers Finishing Touches on Team USA Trip
July 29, 2016 | Baseball
PINAR DEL RIO, Cuba --- Keston Hiura and the U.S. Collegiate National Team wrapped up their 20-game whirlwind around the globe on Wednesday with Hiura leaving the finishing punctuation on the trip.
With the series tied, 2-2, and the game tied, 1-1, Hiura was summoned to pinch-hit in the eighth inning and the bases empty. On a 2-2 pitch, he lifted a ball high to left field and out for the go-ahead and eventually game-winning home run pushing the U.S. to a 2-1 victory and a 3-2 series victory, the program's first ever in Cuba.
Hiura made his mark on each stop of the tour knocking hits in Taiwan, Japan, Cuba, and back here in the states to put together a .289 average (11-for-38) scoring seven runs, driving in six, and contributing three home runs.
The U.S. squad put up a 7-7 record against international competition splitting four games with Taiwan and dropping three of five games to Japan before claiming the Cuba series. Hiura was also responsible for lifting the Americans in another win in Cuba.
The second game of the series was a 1-0 USA triumph with Hiura scoring the lone run on a wild pitch after he reached on all three of his plate appearances from a single and two walks.
Hiura reserved his biggest performances for the top stages. On top of the momentous blast to end the campaign, he also homered in Angel Stadium as well as pounding out hits in legendary cathedrals like Dodger Stadium, Taiwan's Xinzhuang Stadium, and Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Stadium.
"It was a unique opportunity and a privilege for Keston to play for the USA team, and the dramatic home run he hit against Cuba will be a lifetime memory for him. We're all proud of him," lauded UC Irvine head coach Mike Gillespie.
The slugger returns to Southern California with time to reflect before the training and school resumes. The rest of the squad continues to roll on through summer ball in their respective leagues through August.
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