NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – Duke right-hander Marcus Stroman struck out five batters in 1.2 innings to close out the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team’s 7-5 win over the New Bedford Bay Sox on Wednesday evening at Paul Walsh Field.

A 5-9, 185-pound right-hander, Stroman entered the game with a 7-5 lead, runners at the corners and one out in the eighth inning. He struck out the two batters he faced and then struck out the side in the ninth inning to preserve the two-run lead.

Stroman has now faced 13 batters as the USA closer and has fanned all but one. Over his four perfect innings, Stroman has logged two saves, has not thrown a wild pitch, and has allowed just one runner – a hit batter – to reach base.

Team USA (5-1) has concluded its run through the New England Collegiate Baseball League and will play the Gastonia Grizzlies of the Coastal Plain League this evening at 7:30 p.m. at Sims Legion Park. Stroman and his USA teammates will then face the USA Baseball 18-U National Team twice in the Prospect Classic on July 1-2 before opening a five-game series against the Japan Collegiate All-Stars on July 3 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

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