New Zealand succeeded in their first Super Round game against Oceania rivals Australia with an important 4-1 win that improved their record and snapped the latter's winning streak in the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup. New Zealand starter Liam Potts tossed 6+ innings allowing seven hits, two walks and a run, while striking out 13, to earn the win.
New Zealand were in front in the top of the second inning, as Brock Attewell hit a ground-rule double to left field, and two outs later, scored on a line-drive single off the bat of Tobias Makisi. Australia answered immediately in the bottom half of the same inning with a no-doubter by Ryan King to tie the game 1-1.
New Zealand took a one-run lead again in the third frame with Max Early's single, moving to second on a bunt and scoring off an RBI single by Huw Davies to the left field.
A two-out RBI single by Brock Evans scored Damon Creasy from third base to extend the New Zealand lead to 3-1. Creasy reached base on a hit by pitch.
Australia pitcher Jack Besgrove lost control in the sixth and gave up his fourth run of the game. He hit Brock Attewell with a pitch and then rounded the bases with three consecutive wild pitches to put the score at 4-1.
Australia put two runners on with no outs in the bottom of the seventh, with back-to-back singles by Ethan Field and Thomas Cass. Floyd Nola replaced Potts in the circle, and the right-hander retired the next three batters on a strikeout and two grounders to seal the victory.
New Zealand are now 1-2 in the Super Round, while Australia dropped their record to 2-1.
