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EU freshman shines for Team USA
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Jordan Kron played a significant role in the 14-under USA National baseball teams gold medal performance in the Pan Am Championships in Ecuador. - photo by Photo Contributed
There’s a good chance that Jordan Kron is not going to be the typical freshman baseball player trying out for the East Union High squad.

The nervousness that comes along with waiting to see the “list” posted, the anxiety during that first bullpen session, or even those confidence-lacking thoughts that creep in a player’s head when you leave the yard. Kron likely won’t have to tackle those obstacles, because he has left no questions as to whether or not he can help a program.

Kron re-solidified his tremendous upside with a strong performance against the top players from nine different countries when he represented USA Baseball’s 14-and-unders during the Pan Am Championships in Portoviejo, Ecuador.

He was not just along for the ride, making major contributions with a 2-0 record on the mound, including arguably the biggest win in a come-from-behind semifinal win over Brazil.

Kron came in and posted 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in the team’s 5-3 win.

After coming home with the gold medal and a perfect 6-0 record, Kron will have to turn his focus towards possibly helping the Lancers climb back into competition for the Sac-Joaquin Section Championship that eluded the squad just two seasons ago.

“Playing with those guys was great,” Kron said of his USA teammates. “Each player was pretty much from a different state and everybody had different ways of going about their work. In a lot of ways meeting those guys was a benefit. The things that I learned are going to carry over to (East Union).

“I’m ready to teach my teammates everything I’ve learned.”

With the Valley Oak League struggling under the dominance of the Oakdale Mustangs, East Union will have an opportunity to elevate its pitching staff if Kron is capable of making the varsity team. The effectiveness he displayed on a world-wide stage makes the chances of him bolstering the Lancer staff pretty good.

“Right now I throw a fastball, change-up and a curveball,” Kron said. “I’ve found that my most dominant pitch to get players out is my fastball. I’ve been taught that if you can hit your spots that you are going to be successful, so that is my game plan.”

The local standout was nothing short of brilliant in the championship tournament, twirling 7 2/3 of work, striking out five and not surrendering a walk in his two outings. Kron also did his best to help his cause, banging out a hit and scoring a run for offensive contribution.

“I was extremely confident that I could get players out,” Kron said of his efforts in Ecuador. “To me the situation really doesn’t matter, if it’s the World Series or a pickup game, I go in with the same mind set.

“I’m thinking to myself, I’m going to get you out; I’m better than you and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Players from other countries know, now Kron will have to do it in the VOL.