Three consecutive homers carry Argentina to Men’s Softball Pan American title

Argentina's Manuel Godoy, Bruno Motroni and Juan Zara hit consecutive home runs in the fourth frame of the Men’s Softball Pan American Championship final at the Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium in Parana to power the hosts and world No. 2 to a 4-1 victory over No. 6 Canada, and lead the world champions to the continental title on Saturday. For the bronze medal, world No. 18 Cuba beat No. 7 USA 11-5. By reaching the semifinals, Argentina, Canada, Cuba and USA earned a berth in the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2022.

Canada took the lead in the first inning, with a solo shot by Brad Ezekiel to center field. Canada’s starter Sean Cleary had faced the minimum in the first three innings. However, with one out in the fourth inning, the 9,000 Argentine fans that packed the stadium went crazy when Argentina took the lead with three consecutive homers. 

Godoy sent an inside rise ball into the right field bleachers to tie the game. Then Motroni put Argentina ahead with a homer to center field, and Zara went deep to let field to quickly make it 3-1.

This is the first Argentina title in the Pan American Championship, after winning two bronzes and two silvers in the last four events. The South American nation currently holds the World Title, the Pan American Title and the Pan Am Games gold medal.

In the bronze medal game, Cuba clinched the last spot in the podium with an 11-5 win over USA. Osvaldo Perez and Reinier Vera homered for the Cuban team that tallied 14 hits in the game. Yexander Rodríguez went 4-for-4 with 4 RBIs, while Vera also produced four runs. 

This is Cuba’s first medal since 1998, when they clinched their only Pan American title.

A total of 10 teams participated in the Pan American Championship, that served as a qualifier for the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup, which will take place in New Zealand later this year. Cuba, world No. 11 Venezuela, No. 12 Guatemala, No. 35 Dominican Republic and No. 8 Mexico competed in Group A; while Canada, Argentina, USA, No. 37 Colombia and Puerto Rico played in Group B. 

Final standings

1.  Argentina
2.  Canada
3.  Cuba
4.  USA
5.  Venezuela
6.  Guatemala
7.  Dominican Republic
8.  Mexico
9.  Colombia
10.  Puerto Rico