26/11/2022 - 04/12/2022

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Hosted by:   NZL

XVII Men's Softball World Cup 2022 - Official Payoff

Down to the last out, Argentina come back to defeat New Zealand in nine-inning thiller

Down to the last out, Argentina come back to defeat New Zealand in nine-inning thiller
28/11/2022
The defending world champions scored four in the seventh inning to tie the game, and two inning later exploded with six runs to clinch the win in a dramatic game.

In a dramatic game of brilliant softball, defending champions Argentina recovered from a 5-1 deficit to tie the game in the last inning, and then secured the win with a six-run nine inning to clinch an 11-5 win against New Zealand to close Day 3 of the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup.

The game started with fireworks from both teams. Alan Peker hit the first pitch of the game over the center field fences to give Argentina the lead. However, in the bottom of the first, Cole Evans and Thomas Enoka went long to put the game 3-1 for the hosts.

The three homers in the first frame were the only hits that Huemul Mata and Daniel Chapman allowed until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Joel Evans doubled off Mata. And in the sixth, New Zealand added two to give Chapman a four-run advantage.

However, Argentina reacted ferociously in the top of the seventh to tie the game. With two runners on, Gian Scialacomo hit an RBI single to left field. With two outs on the scoreboard, Malarczuk was hit by a pitch and Argentina loaded the bases for Manuel Godoy, who cleared the bases with a triple to tie the game at five.

The South Americans exploded in the ninth with an RBI by Mata, who then scored on a two-run single by Teo Migliavacca. The incredible comeback was capped off with a monster three-run homer by Santiago Carril, to make it 11-5.

Mata had a great game for Argentina, pitching 7.2 innings with 15 strikeouts; while hitting 1-for-3 with a clutch RBI and a run scored in the second extra inning.

With this win, Argentina remain as the only undefeated team in Group A, while New Zealand dropped to 1-2 in the standings.

Quotes - New Zealand coach Mark Sorenson

“Those three outs in the last inning are hard to get. We had chances with loaded bases and they made a nice call to load the bases and the double play knocked the life out of us. We will need to look at the pick-off at second, because we got a hit after that which would have won us the game.

“Success is built on a lot of little moments and the game was won and lost on little moments. We showed a lot of fight but we will need to regroup and push on tomorrow.”

Argentina coach Julio Gamarci

“This is the magic of this game. There are no time limits. This why I am in love this game since I was a kid. You have the chance to turn it around. It was for any team and both teams played really well.

“They fought. They are fighter and you know what, it was a great game to watch. This type of game shows you the level of show that we can put on worldwide.”