Oceania: Australia sweeps New Zealand, qualifies for WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2022

Australia swept New Zealand in a three-game series of the WBSC Oceania U-23 Baseball World Qualifier to qualify for the WBSC U-23 Baseball World 2022.

Australia scored convincing wins over New Zealand -- 13-3, 12-1, 12-0 -- on home soil at Canberra’s Narrabundah Ballpark.

Catcher John Lemm drove in three runs in the series opener, while Coen Wynne, Maddux Stivey and Max Milner had scoreless outings on the mound.

Infielder Rory Spletter drove in five runs, while Darcy Barry finished 3-for-4 in game two. Zack Elvy gave Australia a strong start.

Joel Hoga and Maddux Stivey combined the game-three shutout. Australian bats provided 12 hits.

Australia becomes the Oceania representative at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup, and the third National Team qualified after Germany and the Netherlands (Europe).

The National Teams from the Americas (4), Asia (3), and Africa (1), and a wild card are still to be determined.

The IV WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup is scheduled from 14 to 23 October in Taipei City.

Venezuela won the last U-23 Baseball World Cup, which took place last October in Mexico.