Argentina 6-1 South Africa: Pacheco’s two runs guide Argentina to secure first win

Cristian Pacheco led the way for Argentina to bag their first victory at the U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup, beating South Africa 6-1.

Matias Etchevers pitched the South American side in 5.1 innings for four hits, a run and six strikeouts, while Ketumile Nkune pitched South Africa in 2.2 innings (1 H, 2 R, 4 SO).

Luciano Biondi slid to the plate to get Argentina on the board first off an RBI single to the left from batter Ramiro Pintos. With Franco Godoy at bat, Pintos and Pacheco scored consecutively for Argentina to close out the first inning 3-0.

Argentina scored one more off a South African error in the second to go up 4-0. The South African squad showed better hustle in the top third as batter Nicholas de Ascensão hit their first triple but Argentine pitcher Etchevers denied the opposition to complete the run.

Troy Botha finally got South Africa on the board on the top of the fifth off the bat of Sylvester Maredi to cut the deficit to 4-1 but Naim Brahin and Pacheco scored consecutive runs for Argentina to close out the match 6-1.