Australia fought back to overtake South Africa today at Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium and claim an 8-3 victory that puts the Australian on top of Group A in the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup. Jeremy Garland scored a run and went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and three RBIs.
South Africa grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Tsatsi Thlabanelo singled up the middle and knocked in Kiddo Malematja. Tyler Croft doubled in the third inning and scored with a two-out RBI single off the bat of Malematja. South Africa was up 2-0 by the middle of the third.
Australia charged with a three-run rally in the fourth to take the lead in the game, with three consecutive extra-base RBI hits, including triples by Riley James and Haydan Dove and a double by Garland.
South Africa tied the game 3-3 in the fifth, with an RBI triple by Tyler Croft, but Australia answered with five runs in the bottom half, including a solo homer by Thomas Cass and a two-run double by Garland.
Lincoln Walk was the winning pitcher in four relief innings, allowing a hit and a run while striking out eight opponents.
South Africa used three pitchers to complete the game, charging Sebotse Ledwaba with the loss.
Australia remained undefeated in Group A with three wins, while South Africa dropped their record to 1-2.
