Canada’s playoff hopes came to an end on Day 7 with a tough loss to Japan, while Australia kept their playoff hopes alive with a victory over the Czech Republic.
Canada came into the game against Japan knowing they needed a win, combined with an Australia loss, in order to have a shot at the top four. They didn’t get off to the start they needed, giving up two runs to the Japanese in the bottom of the 1st.
Hideo Morita brought Ryoyu Une home with a single, then stole a base and scored himself on a single by pitcher Kento Okazaki to give Japan the 2-0 lead.
Pitching was strong for both teams through the 2nd and 3rd innings, but it was Okazaki who added to Japan’s lead in the bottom of the 4th, belting a two-run homer. Kazuki Kajihara then scored off a double and it was 5-0 for Japan.
Canada got a runner on base in the top of the 5th but couldn’t cash in, and when Haruki Kinjo tacked on a run in the bottom of the inning, it was game over. Kajihara homered in the bottom of the sixth for a final score of 7-0.
Okazaki picked up the victory for Japan on the mound, as they improved to 5-3 at the tournament. Johnathan Baker was saddled with the loss for Canada, as they dropped to 3-5.
Japan joins Australia and the USA in a three-way tie for the final two playoff spots heading into the last day of preliminary action. Australia downed the Czech Republic 4-2 to record their third straight win.
The Aussies jumped out to the lead after Kieran O’Leary and Hayden Mathews scored on two wild pitches in the top of the 3rd. Mason Rossi homered in the fourth and it was 3-0 for the Colts before the Czech Republic bats got going.
Patrik Kopecny drove in a run and scored two plays later to bring the Czechs within one after 5 innings, but that was as close as they would get. David McCaskie sealed the victory for Australia, crossing homeplate on a single by Benjamin Jager.
Luke Ollerenshaw was credited with his second win at the world championship, tossing solid five innings.
Australia’s final game will be against the USA Friday and it will obviously have big playoff implications. A win means the Colts are in the playoffs, while a loss will send them to the consolation round and put the Americans through. The Japanese face the Czech Republic with their playoff lives at stake. They need a win or an Australia loss.
Two teams that don’t need to be worried about a playoff spot are Argentina and New Zealand. Argentina sits at 8-0, guaranteed first place regardless of the outcome against Denmark on Day 8.
They allowed two runs against for the first time this tournament, during their matchup with the USA on Day 7. The Americans actually took the 1-0 lead in the top of the second, when James Pernetti scored on a wild pitch.
Argentina responded just an inning later. With one run already driven in, Roman Godoy ripped a double to score Alan Peker and Lighuen Angiolillo, and suddenly they were up 3-1.
Tyler Bouley sent one out of the park in the fourth for the USA, spelling the end of the night for Godoy, who was replaced by Franco Gini. Gini shut the door the rest of the way and Argentina exploded for six runs in the bottom of the inning, including a three-run homer from Facundo Carril. Final score was 9-2 for Argentina.
New Zealand picked up a 6-2 win over Singapore, and now sports a 7-1 record heading into their final game against Mexico (4-4).
Te Kahui Bishop had two hits, two runs, and two RBIs for the Junior Black Sox, including a massive homerun in the bottom of the 3rd. Eruera Drage allowed just three hits over seven innings, throwing 13 strikeouts.
Tam Joshua and Tan Jerel scored for Singapore.
The first game of Day 7 had Mexico facing Denmark. The Mexicans were looking to rebound after an extra innings loss to Australia Wednesday, and they started out strong.
Runs from Enrique Gonzalez, Rafael Alvarez and Jossie Garcia gave them a 3-0 lead after the 1st. They padded the board with two more in the third and four in the fourth, for a final score of 8-1.
Garcia finished the night with three hits and three RBis while Alvarez scored three runs. Jonathan Rodriguez pitched all five innings with seven strikeouts.
Andreas Calov had two hits and an RBI for Denmark.
Friday’s action gets underway at 2:30 pm Pacific with Argentina versus Denmark. Mexico meets New Zealand at 4:00 pm while Australia and USA close out the preliminary round at 7:30 pm.
Playoffs start Saturday, as well as a consolation round for teams that finish between 5th and 10th to determine final rankings.
