Meredith key pitcher

Press, 30 March 1989, Page 40

Meredith key pitcher

PA Wellington The world championship winning pitcher, Peter Meredith, is a likely starter for the United States in the opening match of the five-match series against New Zealand in Lower Hutt this evening. Meredith, the dominant figure in Poneke-Kilbir-nie’s Lion Red series final win over Auckland Marist on Sunday, has been unwell this week, said the United States coach, Russ Boice.

“He hasn’t been feeling the best,” a concerned Mr Boice said. “We’ll just have to wait and see how he feels on the day. Hopefully he’ll be all right. “He’s the mainstay of the side. He’s the only one of our pitchers in shape, and with him on the mound the team lifts it-

self. He can keep any team in a game.”

If Meredith does not take the field today, Mr Boice will be forced to use either Steve Schultz or Dave Scott — both of whom are pitching well below their best.

Schultz, an expatriate New Zealander, gave up three hits, five walks and threw five wild pitches as the tourists went down, 10, to Wellington on Tuesday evening. Scott gave up six hits in the United States 7-3 win over Hutt Valley. “They’re not hurling at all well at the moment,” Mr Boice said. “It hasn’t helped that they are pitching to new catchers, but basically they’re lacking match practice.” Teams:—

New Zealand: Pitchers —

Michael White (Wellington), Jim Seaman (Hutt Valley), Chubb Tangaroa (Auckland); catcher — Mark Sorenson (Hutt Valley); infield — Murray McLean (Auckland), Eddie Kohlhase (Auckland), Dean Rice (Hutt Valley), Simon Kerr (Hutt Valley), Kere Johanson (Wellington); outfield — Thomas Perenara (Auckland), Jack Matenga (Auckland), Mike Nicholls (Wellington), Jason Farrow (Wellington), Fred Wyatt (Wellington).

United States: Pitchers — Dave Scott (Illinois), Steve Schultz (Iowa), Peter Meredith (Indiana); catchers — Steve de Fazio (California), Tim Whal (Washington); in-

field — Rick Minton (Illinois), Steve Kerian (Illinois), Bruce Beard (Washington), Ted Hicks (Illinois); utilities — Chad Corcoran (Washington), Jim Clark (California); outfield — Brian Lehrman (Indiana), Mitch , Munthe (California), Brian Rothrock (Illinois), Bill Boyer (Washington).