The number of firsts for the Baseball5 World Cup continued on Tuesday as Tunisia, which is making its debut in a WBSC World Cup (either Baseball, Softball or Baseball5) at this event in El Zocalo in Mexico City, won their first ever Baseball5 game and first for Africa after beating Kenya in a tight three match game in the morning session on Tuesday.
The second game of the day was an all Africa Group B contest, with Africa Championship silver medallists Kenya claiming the first set against Tunisia 3-2 in an eight innings thriller before star short stop Simon Okeyo withdrew from the game with a leg injury from which point the tables turned. Tunisia went on to win 2-3, 7-2, 10-2, sparking great celebrations amongst the team delegation and onlooking fans.
But it only got better for Tunisia, who finished third at the Baseball5 African Championship in May behind South African and Kenya, when they claimed another victory, this time against Korea 3-0, 5-1 in what proved a strategic game in the afternoon session.
Tunisia now sit top of Group B with two wins from two games along side Venezuela with Kenya third (one win and a defeat).
“Tunisia participate in the WBSC World Cup and we won games today, which is history,” said Tunisia captain Marwen Sioud. "I will never forget it in my life.
“I’m just really happy to play for country and my flag”.
Tunisia will play Chinese Taipei and France on Wednesday before playing group favourites Venezuela on Thursday. When asked if his team is ready for the next two games on Wednesday, Sioud said: “Yes, we have been ready for all of the games before the tournament started”.
Kenya will play Venezuela and Chinese Taipei on Wednesday before taking on Korea in their final group game on Thursday.
Meanwhile, South Africa started the day in Group A with a 11-1, 2-0 loss to tournament favourites Cuba before beating Hong Kong in the afternoon 3-0, 5-1.
The Africa champions play Mexico and Japan on Wednesday and Lithuania on Thursday to complete their Opening Round campaign.
The Baseball5 World Cup Opening Round continues on Wednesday and through to Thursday before the top three teams of both groups advance to the Super Round with the bottom three teams moving to the Placement Round.
The top four teams from the Super Round will qualify for the bronze and gold medal matches, which will take place on Saturday.
