Nicholas Paparella's home run lifts Australia over Venezuela

Nicholas Paparella hit a two-run homer and a two-run double that secured Australia’s 8-1 comeback win over Venezuela on Sunday in the Placement Round of the XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup on Sunday.

The game was initially scheduled for Friday, 8 September, but was rescheduled for Saturday, 9 September, and postponed again due to heavy rain.

Venezuela and Australia could only play into the top of the second on Saturday. Venezuela took an early lead, scoring a run with Francisco Rivero’s single through the left side in the first.

The South American squad loaded the bases with two singles and a walk in the top of the second. Soon after, the umpiring crew stopped the game as rain started to pour heavily.

Jai Hewitt took the mound as the game resumed on Sunday. He got out of the bases-loaded jam with his teammates’ smooth 4-6-3 double play.

Australia tied the game at one in the bottom half of the frame with Joshua Davies’ run on a wild pitch. They ended the following inning with a well-executed double play once again.

In the bottom of the fourth, Australia took the lead, 3-1, with Nicholas Paparella’s two-RBI home run to deep left field.

Australia presented their whole lineup at-bat in the bottom of the sixth and started the rally with Paparella’s two-RBI double to deep left field. Australia then loaded the bases with Blake Barlow’s single to shortstop, and added five runs in total, extending the lead to 8-1.

World No. 9 Australia (3-2) now share the Placement Round’s second place with No. 3 Mexico, while No. 6 Venezuela (2-2) will face No. 15 Czechia (2-2) in their second game of the doubleheader to finish the Placement Round.