Australia grabbed their first win of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup after a dramatic 5-4 win over Italy at LECOM Park. With the game tied at two, Australia scored three in the top of the seventh and then withstood Italy’s last attack to clinch the win.
Italian starter Davide Montanari had a good outing, pitching six innings while allowing five hits, two walks and two runs. However, in the top of the seventh, he allowed a single and a walk, and was pulled off by manager Francesco Aluffi.
He was replaced by lefty Sebastiano Castellani, who couldn’t avoid the damage. After one out, he walked Jaxon Limpus and gave up a two-run single by Joshua Davies which put Australia in front. Those two runs were recorded to Montanari, who was charged with the loss.
Italy loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the seventh, and Riley Marsh came in to replace Callum Wallace on the mound. Tommaso Adorni flew out to center field to reduce the deficit to two runs, and William Wong scored on a fielders choice. Down to the last strike, Fillippo Venditti hit a fly to the pitcher’s hands for the out 21.
Italy closed their Opening Round in last place in Group B, with a 0-5 record, while Australia improved to 1-3 although both missed out on advancing to the Super Round.
