China come from behind to beat Venezuela, earn chance to play for bronze

World No. 24 China defeated No. 5 Venezuela, 6-5 on Friday, earning their first-ever Super Round win and a chance to compete in the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024 bronze-medal game.

China played an aggressive game on the bases and showcased consistent pitching and solid defence once again.

Manager Wei Li credited catcher Wang Shuai.
"He was able bring out the best of our pitchers, and make they feel comfortable and confident. He is not doing well at bat, but I would sacrifice a bat in the lineup for consistent pitching."

Brainer Bonaci singled with one out in the bottom of the second, becoming the first runner allowed by left-hander Cairang Huadan. The Chinese starter got some help from his third baseman, Aiqi Zhang, who dove to stop a hard grounder by Alexander Pena and got the third out at first.

Venezuela needed only two pitches to take the lead in the bottom of the second. Right fielder César Idrogo turned the first pitch of the at-bat into a single, and catcher Giovanny Rivero drove Huadan's first offering over the left field fence for a two-run home run.

China got on the scoreboard with one out in the top of the third. Starter Miguel Olivares walked Sihuai Wang, and shortstop Qirui Wu was all over the first pitch he saw, lining it into the gap in left-centre for an RBI triple. Second baseman Tyanyuan Hu tied the game with a two-out double to the opposite field.

Huadan left after three innings and China handed the ball to Xudi Suo.

Olivares allowed a two-out walk in the top of the fifth and left for Juan Romero. The right-hander got out of the inning on a ground out.

Romero left with a runner at second and one out in the topo of the sixth. Adrian Luna came out of the bullpen and allowed Wentao Zhang a single that put China ahead.

China loaded the bases with two outs and scored the fourth run on a walk.

Luna left for Carlos Campos in the top of the seventh. The hosts loaded the bases on a bunt and a walk, and Yi Zhou hit a two-RBI double that extended China's lead to 6-2.

Left-hander Xiang Wang took the mound for China in the bottom of the seventh with runners at second and first and no outs. Daniel Castillo loaded the bases with a single.

Wang struck out pinch hitter Moises Nunez for the first out, then allowed Venezuela the third run on an infield single by Lewis Castillo. Brainer Bonaci made it a 6-4 game with a sacrifice fly, and Pedro Martinez followed with an RBI single to cut the gap to 6-5 and put the potential tying run at second.

Alexander Pena stepped to the plate representing the potential winning run. He looked at a strike, then grounded into a force-out, ending the game.

Venezuela and China are both 1-3 but still have a chance of advancing to the bronze-medal game on Saturday. Venezuela will play No. 10 Puerto Rico at 14:30, and China will face No. 17 Nicaragua at 19:00. Both times are local.