The WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup continued on Friday in Parana, Argentina, with the action from Super Round and the Placement Round. Full information are available at the tournament website.
Japan became the first qualified for the World Championship Final, scheduled for Sunday 23 April, at 17:00 local time. With a strong offensive outburst gave against Australia, Japan secured their seventh consecutive win in the tournament and the spot in the World Championship Final.
All other five teams remain in medal contention with one day to go, with a chance to create a five-way tie in second place.
Jose Valdez pitched an absolute gem in Mexico's 1-0 defeat of Canada, tossing a complete-game shutout against Canada in a key game to maintain their hold on second place in the Super Round standings.
In front of an electric crowd at the packed Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium, Argentina claimed a five-inning, 8-1 win over New Zealand to remain in contention for a spot in the World Championship Final.
Softball fans around the world can watch all the action on GameTime. A tournament pass for $9.99 (US dollars) will give subscribers access to all 50 games of the tournament, while six-game daily passes will be available for $5.99 each day.
Day 7 games
New Zealand vs Argentina
A four-run rally in the fifth gave Argentina the walk-off win. Two-run singles by Tomas Machuca and Conrado Zanuttini decided the game for Argentina.
New Zealand scored one in the top of the fifth. An RBI single off the bat of Max Early scored Floyd Nola. New Zealand loaded the bases with one out, but Argentina’s pitcher Matias Etchevers escaped the jam with a pair of strikeouts. Argentina with the 4-1 edge.
One inning later Argentina used again the long ball to score. Gian Scialacomo singled on a soft line to centre field, and Alan Peker followed with a no-doubter to right field. But Scialacomo is called out for not stepping on home plate in the play. Argentina mounted a 4-0.
Argentina scored three runs in the first inning. A two-run home run by Argentina’s designated player Juan Cruz Garolini capped a three-run attack for the host team. Alan Peker drove in the first run with a single to right field. Argentina led3-0.
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Australia vs Japan
One inning later, Matsumoto found the bases loaded and lined his second hit of the game, a triple to clear the bases and put Japan ahead in the game 7-1. He then scored the last run of the contest on a grounder to second base.
However, three triples sparked Japan’s four-run rally in the bottom of the third to take the lead. Tomoki Kikukawa, Yoshinari Matsumoto and Shoki Matsuo sent line drives all over the outfield, combined with an impressive speed, to produce four runs.
WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup 2020 silver medallist Jeremy Garland rocketed a home run to the left field for Australia in the third. The ball cleared the Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium complex and landed on the street behind the left field stands.
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Canada 0-1 Mexico
Jose Valdez pitched the complete game, giving up four hits and three walks against five strikeouts.
Mexico scored first in the game. In the bottom of the third, Hector Garcia hit a double, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, and then crossed the plate on a close play at home after a wild pitch.
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Singapore 11-0 Team WBSC
Singapore added five more runs in the fourth frame, including a three-run homer by pinch-hitter Shun Cheoh and a two-run single by Yu Tien.
Singapore explode with six runs in the top of the second inning. With the bases loaded, Ean Eu connected a grand slam to give his team a 4-0 lead. Singapore added two more on a pair of bases-loaded walk.
Israel 5-3 South Africa
In the top of the seventh, Israel scored an insurance run with three consecutive singles. Shani Hadar singled in Seth Ross to give a decisive 5-3 lead for Israel.
In the sixth, South Africa scored one more run to trim the advantage to 4-3. After two quick outs, the African squad hit three consecutive singles, the latest an RBI single by Joshua Wentzel, to reduce the gap to one run.
In the fourth inning, Israel mounted a three-run rally to take the lead again. Shani Hadar homered, Kfir Leon hit an RBI double and then scored on a wild pitch, to shift the momentum to their side with a 4-2 lead.
In the bottom of the third, a Kiddo Malematja triple scored Rian Hatting that gave South Africa a 2-1 lead.
Both teams scored one run apiece in the second inning. Israel’s pitcher Kfir Leon homered over the center field fence to put his team 1-0. But South Africa tied the game on a wild pitch.
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Venezuela 0-2 Czechia
In the bottom of the fourth, Czechia added one more, as George Harris hit a triple down the right field line, and then scored easily on a long sacrifice fly by Jakub Hajny, in a nice defensive play by Venezuela’s left fielder Angel Adames.
Czechia shortstop Jakub Hajny led off the second inning with a single and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and a grounder to second base. Lukas Kubat drove him in with single up the middle, giving Czechia a 1-0 lead.
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