Bruin Named Team USA's Most Outstanding Player in USA-Japan Series
June 29, 1999
TOKYO, Japan - UCLA sophomore OF Bill Scott was named Team USA's most outstanding player of the five-game USA-Japan series (June 23-29) after batting .300 (6-for-20) with three home runs. Despite Scott's grand effort, the Japanese Collegiate All-Star Baseball Team completed a five-game sweep of the USA Baseball National Team this afternoon with a 7-3 victory at Meiji-Jingu Stadium in Tokyo. It was the first time in the 28-year history of the series that Team USA failed to win a game.
Scott, a native of Granada Hills, CA, was the leading hitter on this year's Bruin squad, heading the team in most major offensive categories. In addition, Scott led the entire Pac-10 in home runs (28), RBI (86), slugging percentage (.806), and total bases (195) in 62 total games. He is currently hitting .365 (15-41) with 10 runs scored, four HR, and nine RBI in 12 games for Team USA.
Japan completely outplayed the American team in taking all five games. They outscored the Americans 33-12 and posted a 2.20 ERA compared to the 5.36 ERA that Team USA had in the series.
Japan third baseman Yosuke Shinomiya was named the Series MVP.
Team USA's overall record fell to 4-7 on the summer. They will return home to Tucson, Arizona on Thursday and resume their US WEST Red, White and Blue Summer Tour schedule on Saturday, July 3 at 7:05 pm at Scottsdale Stadium when they open a five-game series against Korea.