Americans face Cuba for the gold

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – A bunch of U.S. collegians who didn’t even have to try out for the team are one win away from Pan American Games gold.

Now all they have to do is beat the vaunted Cubans.

They aren’t intimidated.

“It’s an honor to be here in Rio wearing USA and it means everything to represent our country,” closer Cory Satterwhite said Wednesday after wins over Brazil and Mexico lifted the Americans into the gold medal game. “The chance to win a gold over a powerhouse club is awesome. A bunch of experienced, battle-tested guys against us college guys.

“And a lot of people are probably shocked that we’re in it, but we feel we should be there and it should be a very good game. “

Satterwhite, of Mississippi, saved both games as the United States beat Brazil 7-5 and Mexico 2-1. When Cuba shut out Nicaragua 4-0, it set up a final between the two rivals today.

“I’m excited for us to play for the gold, an opportunity that not everyone gets, especially when it happens only once every four years,” catcher Preston Paramore of Arizona State said. “We’re the youngest team here, so it’s been a challenge all along.

“Cuba has the team that played in the World Baseball Classic and finished second to Japan. They’re a solid team, but it’s baseball and anything can happen.”

Cuba has won the last nine Pan Ams golds by sending its top players to the event. The U.S. representatives rarely are in the same class as the Cubans, particularly in international experience.

But this group has gone through the tournament unbeaten, something not even the Cubans managed. The Americans beat Brazil, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, which in the opening round defeated Cuba.

So a team put together a month ago has a shot at dethroning the power. Two of the players just completed their freshman seasons: pitcher Ryan Berry of Rice and catcher Tommy Medica of Santa Clara. The rest just finished their sophomore years.

They didn’t even have tryouts for the Pan Ams. A selection committee from USA Baseball picked players based on their performance in college.

Five times in Cuba’s amazing run of Pan Ams titles, the Americans finished second. They get yet another chance to win gold today.

“Add up all the parts and this was one of the best days in USA Baseball history,” Campbell said.