Sept. 24, 2006
Chancellor senior third baseman Matt Dominguez hit a three-run home run in the top of the seventh inning and Team USA defeated previously unbeaten Cuba, 4-0, Sunday night in a quarterfinal game of the baseball junior world championships in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba.
Dominguez finished two for four and Chancellor teammate Mike Moustakas, playing left field, was three for four with two runs scored. He also saved a potential two-run home run by leaping high above the left-field fence to make a catch in the third inning.
Dominguez hit his homer after falling behind on the count, 0 and 2, and working it to 3 and 2. He hit a fastball over the left-center field fence.
“I just missed the first pitch,” Dominguez said to USA Baseball about a long foul ball he hooked down the left-field line. “Once I worked the count to 3-2, I knew a fast ball was coming. I think the home run gave us some momentum.”
Dominguez and Moustakas backed up a seven-hitter by right-hander Blake Beavan, who struck out 11 and walked one.
Team USA plays Mexico in a semifinal game tonight at 5 Pacific time.