U-23 Baseball World Cup: Australia, Japan claim spots in Super Round as Mexico puts foot in door

U-23 Baseball World Cup: Australia, Japan claim spots in Super Round as Mexico puts foot in door
31/10/2016

Worlds No. 1 Japan and No. 15 Australia both claimed places in the Super Round of the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup after wins Monday night in Saltillo and Monterrey.

MONTERREY, Mexico – Worlds No. 1 Japan and No. 15 Australia both claimed places in the Super Round of the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup after wins Monday night in Saltillo and Monterrey.

Japan beat No. 33 Austria, and Australia defeated No. 27 Argentina, while No. 8 Mexico also was victorious defeating No. 14 Czech Republic to keep the host nation in the hunt for a spot in the elite Super Round.

Australia and Japan, both undefeated, will meet tomorrow in a critical game to decide first place in Group B.

After Day 5, the top three nations from each will battle each other in the Super Round, which starts Thursday (3 Nov.).  Two spots remain up for grabs heading into Day 5.

Game 22: Australia 15, Argentina 2

Australia (4-0) had 11 hits including a 3-for-4 performance and four RBI from Aaron Whitefiled as they defeated Argentina (1-3) 15-2.

Jacob Younis clubbed his second home run of the tournament and went 3-for-3 for an Australia side that received five solid innings on the mound from winning pitcher Christopher Horne.

Kevin Riello took the loss for Argentina.

Game 23: Japan 16, Austria 0

Japan (4-0) scored multiple runs in three out of their four offensive innings to cruise to a 16-0 win over Austria (0-4).

The game lasted only four and a half innings due to the mercy rule.

Japan starter Akitosh Katsuno allowed just two hits and struck over four in four innings of work to get the win over Austria’s Alexander Lambauer who took the loss.

Japan had 13 hits including three from Koki Yamashita who fell a home run short of the cycle and knocked in three runs.

Game 24: Mexico 14, Czech Republic 4

Mexico (2-2) had 19 hits and scored eight runs in the first inning to earn a convincing 14-4 mercy rule victory over the Czech Republic (2-2).

Gilberto Carrera Yañez’ first inning double scored two runs as he went 3-for-5 and scored two runs. Bryan Alexis Araiza Martinez added a two-run home run in the 7th.

Seven Mexico batters recorded multi-hit games producing more than enough offense for starter Carlos Antonio de Leon who picked up the win.

Czech Republic starting pitcher Jan Novák took the loss.