Argentina clinch Super Round spot with 8-1 win against Czech Republic

Argentina clinch Super Round spot with 8-1 win against Czech Republic
29/11/2022
A balanced offensive effort allowed the South Americans to claim their fourth win in a row in the tournament.

Eight different Argentina players hit safely to help their team secure their fourth consecutive win in the XVII WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup, which is being played at Rosedale Park in Auckland, New Zealand. The defending world champions defeated Czech Republic, 8-1, in six innings and clinched their ticket to the Super Round. 

The Czech Republic got in front in the first inning with an RBI single by George Harris off Roman Godoy, who had replaced Argentina starter Martin Gonzalez. 

However, Argentina recovered from the early deficit and scored multiple runs in the second, third and six inning to get the win.

Godoy was the winning pitcher of the game, after 5.1 innings of work. He struckout six while giving up five hits and two walks. The losing pitcher was Jonas Hajny, who surrendered six runs, seven hits and four walks, while striking out four.

Argentina sits atop of the Group A standings with a perfect record after four games, while the Czech Republic dropped to 1-3. Argentina will close the Opening Round against USA on Wednesday, while the Czech Republic will take on South Africa.

Quotes: Argentina Coach Julio Gamarci

"The Czech Republic is never an easy team to play. They always come to the field with fight. They are multiple European champions. We have played them many times and we are very respectful for their game.

"We have to play good to beat them.

"The thing is to play this tournament day by day, live in the now. So don’t get into the past and do not think about the future. Live the life and the life is right now – so when we went home last night, the win over New Zealand was gone. And we focussed on today.

"We still have the US who have a great team. They are developing each year a better team. They will come with their best game so if we want to get to the Super Round undefeated, then tomorrow we must play real good."