Stanford leads Team USA to Pool title in Olympic Qualifier

Stanford leads Team USA to Pool title in Olympic Qualifier
Former Barton County Community College pitcher Jason Stanford led Team USA to an opening game victory in the Olympic Qualifier being held in Panama City, Panama. Team USA went on to post a 3-0 record in Pool B, winning the pool and advancing to the quarterfinals were they will meet Mexico, Friday at 7 p.m.

Stanford tossed a 2-hit shutout over his 7 innings of work in the opening game of the Qualifying tournament, leading Team USA to a 7-0 win over Nicaragua. The lefthander allowed just 1 walk and struck out 2 to earn the win. The team followed with a 10-0 win over Columbia and a 3-0 blanking of Panama to finish 3-0 in its pool.

In the quarterfinals of bracket play, Team USA gets a Mexico team that finished 0-3 in Pool A. Other quarterfinal matchups have Canada taking on Columbia, Cuba playing Brazil and Panama battling Puerto Rico. Stanford is slated to pitch in the quarterfinals for the Team USA against Mexico. If Team USA wins that contest, they will play Sunday in the semifinals.

In order to qualify for the 2004 Olympics in Greece, Team USA must reach the finals of the qualifying tournament. Greece is the lone team to have an automatic spot in the Olympics since they are the host country. All other countries must earn their way to the Olympics.

Stanford is no stranger to international play, having pitched for Team USA during the summer of 2002 in the World Cup Games in Asia. Stanford was tabbed as the top left-handed pitcher in that event which Team USA picked up the silver medal. Stanford is currently a member of the Cleveland Indians, splitting time between the Indians and their AAA team last season. He finished the season with the Indians, ending with a 1-3 record but posting an impressive ERA of 3.60 during his 13 games – 8 of which were starts.