Vojtech Forman’s grand slam rallies Czech Republic triumph over Denmark

A Vojtech Forman grand slam capped off an impressive 7-2 win for the Czech Republic over continental rivals Denmark on Thursday at the XVII WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup in Rosedale Park.

Czech Republic and Denmark, who had met each other at the 2021 Men’s Softball European Championship in Ledenice, with the former winning the continental title with a 4-2 win, were looking for their second and first wins of the tournament respectively.

The first three runs were earned by Martin Magula in the first and third innings off a ground out and a sacrifice fly, and pinch runner Jan Hopodska in the fourth inning with Marek Volf hitting a double through the left side for a 3-0 advantage.

Denmark kept their hopes alive with a home run to deep left field from Tobias Holmelund, but Czech pitcher Jakub Osicka made sure no further runs were made by Denmark in the fifth and sixth innings.

When it was their turn to bat at the bottom of the sixth, Lukas Kubat’s single loaded the bases with Vojtech Buchner on third and George Harris on second, and with one out. Volf was struck out next, leaving Forman to swing next. The shortstop homered to deep left centre to complete the grand slam that logged the score at 7-1 scored in Czech Republic's favour.

Denmark scored themselves following Anders Svane's single scoring Anton Brown but was too little, too late. Czech Republic stand at 2-1 while Denmark is 0-3.