Team USA made a habit of ending things on a high note at the 2024 Premier12.

The Americans lost their first game in the opening round of the tournament but prevailed and scored a big win in their first-round finale. The U.S. then began the super round at Tokyo Dome with a loss against Japan.

Once again, the Americans rose to the occasion in the finale.

The U.S. finished in third place and secured the bronze medal with a 6-1 win over Venezuela at the Big Egg on Sunday afternoon.

“We didn't play our best baseball, but fortunately we were able to win the bronze,” U.S. manager Mike Scioscia said. “I think it's a high-intensity tournament, which is good for the development of our players, and you're facing terrific talent, so I really enjoyed it, and I know our team did. We're very fortunate to come out with a bronze medal.”

The U.S. finished one spot higher than at the 2019 tournament.

With Matt Shaw’s bat silent for once — though he walked three times — Carson Williams drove in three runs. Colby Thomas and Chandler Simpson also had RBIs, and Luke Ritter scored on a wild pitch.

U.S. pitcher Casey Lawrence struck out seven over six shutout innings to earn the win.

“I knew it was going to be a tough lineup with Venezuela,” he said. “I've had some history with a lot of their players, I've played winter ball for three years over in Venezuela, so just going out there and trying to execute my game plan.”

The Americans were cheered on by their supporters and a smattering of Taiwanese fans who arrived early for the championship game. Taiwan’s spot in the final against Japan was secured when the U.S. defeated Venezuela on Saturday afternoon, and the fans were eager to show their appreciation.

Because the Premier12 is limited to players not on MLB 40-man rosters, the U.S. was playing without any stars from its top league, unlike Japan. The team was a mix of prospects — some very highly rated — and veterans like 44-year-old Rich Hill and Spencer Patton, who played in Japan with the DeNA BayStars for four seasons.

The tournament gave the younger players a chance to hone their skills against high-level competition.

Shaw, the Chicago Cubs' top prospect, according to MLB.com, had a great showing during the Premier12, hitting .412 with a pair of home runs, two doubles and a triple. He drove in 14 runs in nine games.

“I talked about our young players in this experience, and I don't know if anybody benefited more than Matt Shaw did,” Scioscia said. “From when we started working out about a month ago in Arizona and where he ended up.

“He had the opportunity to work with two of the best infield coaches that we have in the United States — Dino Ebel and Keith Johnson. The work they put in with Matt — it paid off quickly. You saw him play great defensive third base in this tournament. It's a newer position for him, but with the Cubs, I think that's where they're projecting him to play as he gets in the major leagues.

“On the defensive side, he improved so much in just one month. On the offensive side, I think you saw his ability to drive the ball to all parts of the ballpark, and he runs the bases well. He's got a great future.

It was a sour ending for Venezuela, which won five of its first six games.

Venezuela had a two-run lead over Japan after the top of the sixth in their game on Friday before the Japanese scored six runs in the bottom half. The Venezuelans then missed out on a spot in the final after losing a close game against the U.S. on Saturday.

“It was really good,” manager Omar Lopez said. “Not what we were looking for, but (being) fourth place, it’s an accomplishment, and I think our team should be proud.”

Venezuela pitcher Mario Sanchez got the start after arriving in Japan a few days earlier. Sanchez said he received his visa on Wednesday and left Venezuela on Thursday. He said he arrived in Japan on Friday after a trip that took over 30 hours and included a stop in Istanbul. He allowed a pair of runs in 2⅔ innings.

"Still feeling fresh," he joked after the game.

Williams, the top prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, got the U.S. on the board with a sacrifice fly in the third inning. Thomas was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded later in the frame as the U.S. took a 2-0 lead.

The Americans added to the lead in the sixth when the speedy Willams narrowly beat the throw to first to drive in a run with an infield single and Ritter raced home on a wild pitch.

Williams did more damage in the eighth, connecting on a two-run double to left.

The Venezuelans finally got on the board with a sacrifice fly by Alexi Amarista in the bottom of the eighth.