On Sunday, the United States got their first win of the Premier12 as they defeated the Netherlands 12-2 with the game ending in a run-rule. During the game, third baseman Matt Shaw put on a great performance going four for five at the plate with seven RBIs as the catalyst of the American victory.
Shaw had two massive hits late in the game to put the contest against the Netherlands out of reach. Those hits were a bases clearing double in the bottom of the seventh inning and a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning that caused the run-rule to occur as the United States went up 10 runs.
MATT SHAW WITH A BASES CLEARING DOUBLE!! #premier12 ???????? pic.twitter.com/T0l7ulHebx
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) November 11, 2024
Sunday night’s game was not the only instance in which Shaw exploded on offense. In the United States’ Premier12 opening game against Puerto Rico in the 1-0 loss, he went 3 for 3 at the plate. This means that the third baseman has a batting average of .875 through two games in the Premier12.
The USA bounces back from a day one loss to beat the Dutch 12-2!! #premier12 ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/M9kWkdrUbw
— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) November 11, 2024
Matt Shaw spent the 2024 season in the Chicago Cubs’ minor league system playing at the Double-A and Triple-A levels for the Tennessee Smokies and Iowa Cubs respectively.
In total, he batted .284 with an OPS of .867 during the minor league season. He also had 21 home runs and nearly 20 doubles while tacking on 71 RBI.
He is currently the Cubs’ top prospect and is ranked in the top 25 of MLB pipeline’s most recent top 100 prospects list.
Shaw and the United States are now 1-1 in Premier12 play and have their next game on Monday, Nov. 11, against Venezuela. The first pitch for that game is at 9:00 p.m. EST.
All Premier12 games can be streamed on DAZN with a subscription.
WBN Premier12 – 12 Teams in 12 Days: United States
Photo Credit: USA Baseball
