Nebraska newcomers Robby Bolin and Luke Broderick helped Team USA to a championship appearance at the historic Honkbalweek Haarlem on Friday. Japan won the title after recording a 10-4 victory against Team USA.
The United States is a regular in the tournament, which is held every other year. The team was selected by the NJCAA Baseball Coaches Association and was narrowed down from an original 120 identified players all the way down to its current 24-man roster.
After a two-loss start to the tournament, Team USA reeled off four consecutive wins to reach the final on Friday afternoon.
Bolin earned recognition as the best hitter of the tournament after leading Team USA at the plate and swiping a tournament-high five stolen bases. In the seven games, Bolin posted a .391 batting average with nine hits, an RBI and six runs scored.
Broderick appeared in one game for the Stars and Stripes with a 3.1-inning performance in relief. Broderick allowed just three hits and didn’t give up a run while compiling six strikeouts and two walks.
