In five days of competition at the 2014 Junior Men’s World Softball Championship, Argentina has yet to allow a run against.
The defending champions entered the day among three teams with undefeated records at the tournament, and they ended the day as the only team with a perfect 6-0 mark.
Argentina faced perhaps their toughest competition yet in previously undefeated New Zealand Tuesday evening, but pitchers Huemul Mata and Roman Godoy were up to the task in a 5-0 shutout.
Mata tossed seven strikeouts in four innings while Godoy came on to close things out in the top of the 5th, allowing just three hits. Argentina led 1-0 through the first four innings, after an error by the catcher allowed Alan Peker to score in the bottom of the 1st.
Gonzalo Masmu started things off in the 5th for Argentina with a single, and Matias Zapata followed with a double. Masmu was then brought home after Teo Migliavacca was hit with a pitch.
A single by Felipe Vuoto drove in two more runs for Argentina, and another single by Godoy brought in Peker for the 5-0 lead. The Black Sox couldn’t get anything going in the last two innings, dropping their record to 5-1 at worlds.
“We have a lot of respect for New Zealand,” said Argentina head coach Andreas Gamarci. “We’ve tried to do all that we were practicing in the last 18 months. We don’t play for the score, we play for the game.”
Gamarci said his team is grateful for all the support from back home in Argentina. The team has enjoyed quite a large online following during the tournament, particularly with viewership of the live webcasts.
“It’s an honour to represent my country,” said Gamarci. “I’m really happy to be here and I thank Canada for hosting this wonderful tournament.”
Argentina’s next opponent will be Japan, the other team who entered Day 5 unbeaten but fell in both games of their double-header. Their first loss came against New Zealand, in the first game of the day.
It was a tight affair, with strong pitching performances from both Ethan Johnston and Kento Okazaki. Ryoyu Une brought home Hideo Taguchi with a single to get Japan on the board first in the top of the 3rd.
The Black Sox struck back in the bottom of the fourth, when Dante Matakatea smacked a single to drive in two runs. Johnston was able to hold off any Japanese rally attempt in the remaining three innings, sealing the 2-1 victory for his team.
Next up for Japan was an evening date with the USA, and it was a game that would make history.
The Americans jumped out to an early lead, thanks to a two-run homer by Jimbo Pernetti in the bottom of the 1st. Both teams were held off the board until the 4th inning, when Japan evened the score with a home run of their own.
Kento Okazaki socked one over the fence with Haruki Kinjo already on base. But the tie was short lived. In the bottom of the inning, USA loaded the bases for Pernetti, who didn’t disappoint. He rippled a single, sending two runs across the plate for a 4-2 lead.
Japan put two on in the top of the 6th but couldn’t cash in. Phillip Zimmerman pitched all seven innings for the Americans, allowing seven hits and recording six strikeouts in his second straight victory.
It’s the first time in USA junior men’s program history that they have defeated Japan.
Canada and Australia battled in the last game of Day 5, and with a raucous crowd cheering for both sides it felt much like a playoff atmosphere.
Tyrell Priestley put the Aussies on the board in the top of the 2nd, scoring on an error by the shortstop. Canada attempted to respond in the bottom of the inning, after a walk was issued to Curtis Piecowye. Matt Pilon hit a single then took second base on an overthrow, but both players were left stranded.
That was as close as Canada would come, thanks to the arm of Aussie Colts ace Jerremyah Selu. Selu pitched the complete game shutout, allowing just three hits with 10 strikeouts.
Australia tacked on three more runs in the top of the 5th, including a massive two-run homer by Callum Beashel, and added one in the 6th for a 5-0 victory.
After the game, Selu spoke about his confidence coming into the world championship, and his drive to be the best.
“I’ve built up a high standard for myself, to make sure I’m the best pitcher on the team. Now I’ve got to go out every game and fight to maintain that standard,” he stated, adding the offensive support from his teammates made his job “a hell of a lot easier.”
Elsewhere on Day 5, the Czech Republic doubled Denmark 4-2, picking up their second victory of the tournament. Daniel Cerny hit a two-run triple for the Czechs and also scored on a passed ball. Michal Holobradek picked up the win on the mound.
Mexico downed Singapore 13-0 on the strength of seven home runs. Daniel Durazo hit three over the fence for the Mexicans while Cesar Godoy drilled two and Arnaldo Villavicencio and Enrique Gomez also hit long balls. Jonathan Rodriguez pitched four innings for the win.
Day 6 action at the world championship includes Canada vs. Mexico at 2 pm Pacific and Argentina vs. Japan at 5 pm.
