New Zealand outscores USA, Canada beats Czech Republic
The Junior Black Sox took the lead in group B. USA was no match to them. The Kiwis score 7 to get started and ended the game in 5 innings. Reilly Makea starred as a pitcher and as a slugger
New Zealand outscored, 11-1, and outhit, 9-2, USA to record their second win in the WBSC Men’s Softball Junior World Championship. The Junior Black Sox used two big innings, scoring 7 in the first and 4 in the fifth. Reilly Makea starred as he picked the win as a pitcher and broke the score open with a gigantic two run homer.
USA chose as a starter Nathen Landry, who had pitched the night before against Canada, but had to give the call to Craig Lewis with one out in the first. After Makea went deep for his tie breaking home run, catcher Valk connected for a double and center fielder Andre Hart followed with a triple to send Landry to the showers.
One of the two hits USA got off Makea was a hone run to left by Jeffrey Lewis. It would remain the only run for the USA.
Joshua Kelly took over for Makea as a pitcher and struck out the side to end the game after five innings.
Riley Manion pitched a no hitter for Canada against Czech Republic
An oustanding performance by pitcher Riley Manion, who threw a no hitter and struck out 15, gave no chance to a brave Czech Republic. The hosts won 6-1, but they could break the score open only in the top of the sixth on a 2 run homer by designated player Hogg off reliever Kubat.
Starter Vojtech Buchner kept Czech Republic in the game and surrendered 2 runs because of extra base hit by Lefebvre (triple in the first) and Hogg (double in the second) and because of good base running by Canada.
Czech Republic scored in the fourth, taking full advantage of a pair of walks issued by Manion, and scared Canada with 2 outs in the fifth, when second baseman Oplustil flied out in deep center field.
Canada joins New Zealand at the top of group B with a 2-0 record.
