Smedes and Furukawa Lead West to 12-5 Win

Mike Smedes of Laguna Hills High School and Joe Furukawa of Canyon each drove in two runs to lead the West to a 12-5 victory over the East Wednesday in the U.S. Junior Baseball championships in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Furukawa had four hits and Smedes two as the West led, 6-0, after three innings. Smedes also pitched seven innings with four strikeouts for the victory.

The victory qualifies the West for Friday’s gold-medal game against the North or the East.