Canada beat Australia in a 7-6 thriller to win opening Placement Round game

Canada improved their Placement Round record to 2-1 after a 7-6 win against Australia at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida, USA. A Myles Naylor solo home run in the bottom of the fifth was the difference in a very close baseball game.

The game was tied at five in the bottom of the fifth, when world No. 12 Canada scored twice to take the lead in the game for the third time. An RBI single by Sam White gave Canada a 6-5 lead, and then Naylor smashed a solo homer to left field to give his team an insurance run.

World No. 10 Australia mounted a last inning comeback, but the effort fell just short. In the top of the seventh, with the bases loaded and two outs Declan Speirs scored on a wild pitch, leaving the game 7-6 with two runners in scoring positions. However, pinch hitter Kyan Wallington struck out looking to end the game. Canada’s closer Zack Szabo earned the save in one inning of work.

The winning pitcher was Makaio Cisneros, who pitched 2.2 socreless innings in relief giving up two hits. For Australia, who now sit at 1-2 in the Placement Round, Tyson Noel took the loss.