Piña and Valenzuela homer, Mexico outscores South Africa

Mexico earned the fourth win in group play of the U-23 Baseball World Cup and is now ready for the super round. Orlando Piña and Roberto Valenzuela both homered as Mexico defeated South Africa 13-3 in seven innings.

Mexico wasted no time in getting on the scoreboad. Mohamed Alaoui had a wild start for South Africa, issuing a couple of walks and hitting one batter. Mexico capitalized with base hits by Orlando Piña, Norberto Obeso and Alan Flores.

After two, Mexico starter Victor Buelna had a chance to sit on a comfortable 5-0 lead. In the top of the third South Africa scored with center fielder Ruan Simon, who tripled and then reached home on a sacrifice fly.
South Africa will add two more runs against reliever Esteban Bloch.

Mexico opened the score with a six-run fourth inning against reliever Dylan O’Brien. Marco Jaime doubled, Jose Urena tripled and Orlando Piña homered to highlight the at bat.

A two run home run by Roberto Valenzuela in the bottom of the seventh off Anthony Sayers ended the game.