Matt Shaw stays hot as USA beat Netherlands 12-2

A 7-RBI game by Matt Shaw gave USA their first win in the Premier12 2024 Presented by RAXUS, 12-2, against the Netherlands in eight innings, in their second game in Group A. After hitting 3-for-3 yesterday against Puerto Rico as the designated hitter, Shaw went 4-for-5 tonight with 7 RBIs and two runs scored, and is hitting .875 for the tournament. 

Against the Netherlands, the US infielder hit the go-ahead RBI-single in the third, a bases clearing double to the right field corner in the seventh, and a walk-off three-run homer in the eight over the right field fence. 

"We were just looking for pitches outside. I mean guys are working away, so we were looking for heaters away," said the third baseman. "It's the first win for us in the tournament, which is awesome, I'm just very excited to get this tournament rolling," said Matt Shaw. 

Both teams exchanged two runs in the first inning, including three homers. Didi Gregorius sent the first pitch of the game into the Netherlands bullpen in the right center field to give the Europeans the early lead. Jonathan Schoop followed with a single in the very next pitch, and later scored on a grounder by Juremi Profar.

However, USA answered with a pair of long balls, with Luke Ritter and Ryan Ward going back-to-back with two outs to tie the game. 

In the bottom of the third, USA mounted a three run rally, including the go-ahead RBI single by Shaw, and never looked back.

"We were right in the ballgame and we were really close," said Evert Jan ‘t Hoen, Netherlands manager. "It didn't come through in a couple situations just to get back to even the game and then in the end, you know, they hit us to a mercy rule.It's it's no fun losing but we're 1-1, and we're right in the mix for advancing." 

In the seventh, a good piece of hitting by Shaw drove in three more runs on a bases-loaded double to the right field corner. USA's infielder then scored easily on a sac fly to the longest part of the ballpark to make it 9-2 for the North Americans.

And one inning later, the Chicago Cubs prospect blasted a three-run shot over the right field fence to finish the game.

"Our confidence was really high after last game, too," added Shaw. "We had a lot of chances and you know, that's how baseball goes So I think we have a really good group and we just keep rolling." 

Asked about tomorrow's game against Venezuela, Shaw said: "Every game we're going in with the same mentality. We just got to put together a good game plan. Venezuela is a great team. Netherlands is a great team. Puerto Rico is a great team. We got a lot of great players here. So, we come in with the same mentality and play good baseball."