Jack Besgrove outplays Nahuel Saenz as Australia edge Argentina in extras

Australian ace Jack Besgrove pitched a gem on Sunday night at the Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium to outplay Argentina’s Nahuel Saenz on Day 2 of the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup. Australia defeated Argentina 2-1 in extra innings to remain on top of Group A.

Saenz did not allow a hit during the first five innings of play, but Australia mounted a threat in the sixth with a pair of singles by Matt Harrow and Ryan King, who advanced on a passed ball. But the right-hander escaped the jam striking out Jeremy Garland in five pitches.

In the bottom half of the inning, Argentina also had a great scoring opportunity with a one-out, bases-loaded situation. Khalil Luna walked, Tomas Machuca reached on an error and Luciano Biondi loaded the bases with an infield hit. However, Besgrove struck out pinch hitter Ramiro Pintos and forced Alan Peker to a grounder to escape unscathed.

In the eighth inning, with Shannon Goffer as the tie-break runner at second base, Australia advanced him with a bunt, and then scored on a hard grounder by Ashley Goffer that shortstop Luna could not glove, allowing the first run of the game. Then Harrow plated Goffer with a single to centre field, giving Australia a precious two-run lead.

In the bottom half of the eighth, Luna knocked in the tie-break runner with a single to center field, with one out, making it a one-run ballgame. But Besgrove closed the game striking out pinch hitter Alejo Muñoz and forcing Luciano Biondi to a fly ball.

Besgrove tossed the complete game, giving up four hits, a walk and one unearned run, while striking out 12. 

On the other hand, Saenz pitched 7.2 excellent frames, striking out 13 while allowing four hits, two runs and two walks.