Czech Republic 10-0 Guatemala: Voráček grand slam keeps Czech Republic in hunt for final spot

Jan Voracek hit a grand slam to put the final touch to Czech Republic’s remarkable 10-0 victory over Guatemala on Friday at the U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup at Colquhoun Park in Palmerston North, New Zealand.

The win keeps the Czech Republic's hopes of a spot in the final alive but they will need world No. 3 Australia to beat Japan, the world's No. 1 team, in the last game of the day on Friday before playing Japan on Saturday.

Voracek smashed a homer that also plated Adam Lunak, Tomas Trtilek and Tadeas Taltv as bases were loaded in the top of the fifth inning. Voracek had four RBIs to lead the offence-driven Czech side.

Jakub Osicka pitched in 4 innings and struck out 7 batters to earn the victory. His counterpart Diego Morales, who had 6 strikeouts in 3 innings, lost the game for Guatemala.

Adam Vavrecka led the Czech Republic with two runs, including scoring the first run of the game off an error in the first inning. Vavrecka scored his second run in the third inning, along with Vit Koci after Adam Buchner singled up the middle to post a 3-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, Lunak unlocked the barrier to the home plate for Buchner with a single, allowing Jakub Vasicek and Matej Rosenkranz further to third base and second base, respectively. Trtilek’s walk gave way for Vasicek to score a run and Kalcv’s walk allowed Rosenkranz to increase the lead to 6-0 before Voracek’s game-clinching grand slam.