Argentina 8-1 Guatemala: Reitober two-run homer leads Argentina to victory, Guatemala finish sixth for best ever finish

Julian Reitober kicked things off with a two-run home run in Argentina’s 8-1 win over Guatemala on Saturday in the Super Round of the U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup at Colquhoun Park in Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Shortstop Reitober led his team with a home run, 2 RBIs and 2 runs, giving Argentina good momentum before their bronze medal game on Sunday, while their rivals Guatemala settled for sixth place, their best position ever in just the second participation at youth level. Matias Etchevers, who was the winning pitcher for Argentina, had also 2 RBI.

Guatemala got on the board early in the game with an RBI double from Diego Morales that let Edgar Palomo reach home plate for their first run in the top of the first inning. However, Argentina was quick to respond as they unleashed a three-run rally in the bottom of the first inning. The rally started when Reitober hit the fifth pitch of Guatemalan 14-year old starter Jose Xuya for a 2-run homer, and then Naim Brahin closed the inning with another run on a grounder to shortstop.

Argentina carried their momentum to the second inning as they scored three runs to extend their lead to 6-1. Khalil Luna crossed the plate on Brahin’s RBI single, while cleanup hitter Matias Etchevers brought Reitober and Brahin in with another single.

Argentina added one run in the third and fifth innings with the same formula, Santiago Herrera driving in Bogdan Becic, on a grounder and a single respectively, to close the game with an 8-1 win for his squad.

Argentina, who are already confirmed a place in the Bronze Medal Game on Friday, closed the Super Round with a 3:2 win:loss record and secured third place in the Super Round standings. The South American team will take on Czech Republic as the home team in the Bronze Medal Game having beaten the European champions 4-3 in the Opening Round.

Guatemala finished the tournament in sixth place, in just their second appearance in a men's softball youth global event. In Prince Albert 2018, the Central American team made their historic debut finishing in the 11th position, with a 2-6 overall record.