KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Tucker Biven picked up the win for Team USA Wednesday night.
The former New Albany star and current University of Louisville standout earned the victory on the mound in Team USA’s 6-0 triumph over Chinese Taipei in the final game of the International Friendship Series.
The right-hander allowed two hits while fanning five over 2 2/3 innings as Team USA completed a 5-0 sweep of Chinese Taipei in the 21st annual series between the two.
Biven took the mound in the top of the fifth with the game locked in a scoreless tie. The first batter he faced singled up the middle, but was thrown out at second trying to stretch the hit into a double. The next hitter reached on an infield single before being thrown out trying to steal second a short time later. Biven then struck out the final Taipei hitter of the inning.
After Team USA tallied two runs in the bottom of the fifth, Biven breezed through the next 1 2/3 innings.
In the top of the sixth, he sandwiched a pair of strikeouts around a fly out.
Then in the seventh, Biven struck out the first two Taipei batters before being lifted from the game.
Of the 34 pitches Biven threw, 24 went for strikes.
“The biggest part was my command,” he told Inside Louisville Baseball after the game. “I feel like I was throwing everything where I wanted, and as a pitcher that’s probably the best feeling.”
Biven’s time with Team USA was scheduled to end Thursday night with an intrasquad scrimmage.
He’s slated to return to the Cape Cod Baseball League until its conclusion before heading back to UofL.
Biven’s experience with Team USA, though, was one that will last a lifetime.
“Being here with all these dudes, the 28 best sophomores in the country, it’s pretty cool to be around them and learn from them as well,” he said. “I love this country. It’s always been a dream to wear (USA) across my chest. It was kind of surreal to get on the mound and pitch.”
