Mexico takes step toward 2020 Olympics, qualifies for WBSC Premier12 Super Round

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – The Mexican National Team today qualified for the Super Round of the 2019 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12®, clinching first place in Group A at Estadio de Charros in Guadalajara, Mexico.

In front of a parochial crowd in Guadalajara, No. 6 ranked Mexico defeated No. 2 ranked USA, 8-2, and hold the tiebreaker after victories over the US (1-1) and No. 12 ranked Dominican Republic (1-1).

That result means that tomorrow’s game between the Dominican Republic and US will determine who progresses to the Super Round and who is eliminated from Premier12 contention.

Group B of the 2019 Premier12 begins tomorrow at Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium in Taiwan, as no. 1 ranked Japan match up with no. 9 ranked Venezuela tomorrow. Japan was forced to make a roster change earlier in the week, as veteran outfielder Shogo Akiyama withdrew because of injury.

No. 4 ranked Chinese Taipei will begin their Premier12 campaign in front of an expected sell-out crowd at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium against world no. 11 ranked Puerto Rico tomorrow night.

The top team in the WBSC Premier12 from the Americas and the top team in the Super Round from Asia/Oceania will qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Host nation Japan and Europe/Africa Qualifier winner Israel have already qualified in the six-nation Olympic baseball event at the Tokyo 2020 Games.