This was the biggest start of Nolan McLean’s career, and there was no doubt that he was going to feel the pressure coming into the USA-Italy game. But the way McLean crumbled under the pressure was not good to watch for Team USA fans.

With the lead now, 8-5 at the bottom of the 9th, things are not looking good for Team USA.

A Team USA fan wrote, “Of course Nolan McLean is going to be a fraud in the biggest game of his career.”

Nolan McLean began with fire, striking out Marsee, Berti, and Pasquantino on 11 pitches in the first inning. Then Italy’s Kyle Teel hit a solo home run off McLean in the second to give Team Italy a 1-0 lead early.

Two batters later, Sam Antonacci lifted a two-run homer, pushing the score to 3-0 in the inning. McLean walked two batters in the third inning but escaped further damage with a groundout by Zach Dezenzo. After 3 innings and 55 pitches, McLean exited, allowing 3 earned runs on 2 hits total.

Italy used McLean’s struggles as a platform to add more damage in the fourth inning. Ryan Yarbrough took over and allowed Italy’s third long ball when Jac Caglianone hit a two-run homer, making the score 5-0.

Team Italy’s three hits up to that point were all home runs, and each changed the game’s tone. Team USA’s bats still had not scored by mid-fourth while Italy held firm with comfortable run support. The lack of offense and pitching trouble left the crowd uneasy, and the lead was growing.

Now the pressure is hanging over Team USA’s qualification hopes in Pool B. If Italy beats Mexico next, a three-way tie could form with the USA, Mexico, and Italy all finishing 3-1. Pool placement could then come down to runs allowed divided by outs recorded, and that 5-0 deficit would hurt badly.

USA fans watched nervously as that scenario took shape in Daikin Park. Every run Italy scored now felt heavier with the quarterfinal spot at stake. The early promise of McLean’s first inning stands in stark contrast to the precarious position the USA now faces.