WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup - Day 2: Venezuela, Australia earn dramatic walk-off wins; Mexico beat Czechia with late-inning rally; Canada, Japan remain undefeated
After an electric Opening Day at the WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup, with five exciting games and a memorable Opening Ceremony, action continued on Day 2 with five games. Australia, Canada and Mexico remain undefeated in Group A after two days of competition, while in Group B the defending champions Japan are the only team with a 2-0 record.
Three of the five games on Sunday were decided in the seventh inning, including a pair of walk-offs.
| Canada vs Singapore | 18 - 1 | BoxScore |
| New Zealand vs Venezuela | 1 - 2 | Box Score |
| Colombia vs Australia | 2 - 3 | Box Score |
| Japan vs Argentina | 12 - 1 | Box Score |
| Mexico vs Czechia | 4 - 1 | Box Score |
Venezuela came from behind in the bottom of the seventh to defeat New Zealand 2-1 in spectacular fashion. New Zealand entered the bottom of the seventh with a 1-0 edge, but Yeferson Colmenarez tied the game with a towering home run. Five hitters later, Sebastian Hassell ended the game with a bases-loaded, walk-off single.
Australia had to fight till the last inning to grab a 3-2 win against Colombia, the debutants and at 24, the lowest ranked nation in the tournament. The world No 2 scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh, when Colombia's pitcher Moises Barboza walked Jye Robinson in five pitches, with the bases loaded.
In the last game of the day, Mexico defeated Czechia 4-1 in a hard-fought match in front of nearly 1,000 fans at Fernando Ortiz Stadium. The European champions took the lead with a David Jaluska homer before Mexico tied the game in the fifth with a Jose Vazquez RBI single and rallied for three runs in the seventh to take control of the game. Mexico pitcher Carlos Parra was in control during the entire game striking out 12 opponents in seven innings, giving up only two hits, to be named Player of the Day.
In the other two games of the day, Canada defeated Singapore, 18-1, and Japan defeated Argentina, 12-1, in Argentina's opening game of the tournament.
Mexico vs Czechia
Top 7th - Mexico rallied for three runs and get the lead in the final inning. Yahir Yerena hit the go-ahead single to plate Roman Rojas. Then a dropped fly in left field allowed two more runs to score.
After five complete innings, Matyas Zelinka and Carlos Parra are engaged in a pitching duel. The Czech starter has allowed two hits and one run, while striking out five. The Mexican right-hander tallied 11 Ks, giving up only one hit: Jaluska's home run.
Top 5th - Mexico tied the game. Roman Lopez hit a high fly ball to left field, dropped by David Pokorny, and reached second base. Advanced to third, and then scored on a single up the middle from Jose Vazquez. It was Mexico's second hit of the game.
Bottom 3rd - In a very close ballgame, Czechia take a 1-0 lead with a solo homer from leadoff hitter David Jaluska. It was Czechia's first hit in the game.
Japan vs Argentina
A nine-run first inning with five hits and four walks gave Japan a comfortable lead in the early stages of the game to secure their second consecutive win of the tournament. Ryuki Tsuda hit a three-run shot for the defending world champions.
Kanta Aso and Yamato Arai combined for six strikeouts, giving up only two hits. One of them was a mammoth home run form Lucas Galarza in the bottom of the fourth.
Top 4th - Tetta Yamashita scored for the defending world champions on a grounder by Ruito Ono. 12-1 for Japan.
Top 3rd - The Japanese squad added two more in the third inning, with a two-run double from Yuito Matsuo. Japan lead 11-1.
Bottom 2nd - Lucas Galarza hit a moonshot over the scoreboard in left field to put Argentina on the scoreboard. Japan lead 9-1.
Top 1st - Japan use five hits and four walks to plate nine in their first at bat. Ryuki Tsuda put the cherry on top with a three-run shot.
Colombia vs Australia
Bottom 7th - Coby White drew a full-count walk to start the inning and moved to third thanks to a pair of wild pitches. Corie List and Ky Hurst received intentional walks to load the bases, but Moises Barbosa walked Jye Robinson in five pitches to allow the game-winning run score from third.
Top 4th - Rafael Verbel ties the game for Colombia. He reached on a double to center field, and later scored on a wild pitch. The game is 2-2.
Bottom 3rd - Another defensive error by the Colombian defence allowed Australia to take the lead in the game. Australia lead 2-1.
Bottom 2nd - Australia tie the game on a defensive error. Makye Telfer scored the run.
Top 1st - Colombia is on the scoreboard. Rafael Noble hit a lead-off double and scored on a single from clean-up hitter Juan Pablo Luna. The South Americans are in front, 1-0.
New Zealand vs Venezuela
Orlando Rodriguez hit a game-tying home run in the bottom of the seventh and Sebastian Hassell ended the game with a walk-off single to center field to give Venezuela their first win of the tournament agains New Zealand, 2-1.
Carlos Pinto went the distance, giving up only three hits and one run, while striking out seven opponents. New Zealand took the lead in the first inning on a grounder to second base from Ciaran Bolger.
New Zealand starter Jacob Neale had a quality outing. However, he couldn't hold the lead in the seventh, serving Rodriguez the game-tying home run.
Bottom 7th - Venezuela win it in the seveventh. Orlando Rodriguez hit a game-tying home run in the bottom of the seventh and Sebastian Hassell ended the game with a walk-off single to center field.
After four complete innings, we have a pitching duel at the Fernando Ortiz Stadium. Venezuela's Carlos Pinto has allowed two hits and one run, while striking out three. New Zealand starter Jacob Neale has struck out seven in four innings, giving up only one hit. NEw Zealand still in front, 1-0.
Top 1st - New Zealand strike first. Leadoff hitter Zahr Shaw-Wallace drew a walk stole second base and moved to third on a wild pitch. Moments later, he crossed the plate thanks to a grounder to second from Ciaran Bolger
Canada vs Singapore
Canada secured their second win of the tournament in three innings, with an 18-1 win at Mundialistas Hermosillenses stadium. Owen Bilinsky went 3-for-4 from the leadoff spot, scoring three runs while driving in another three.
Nicholas Neid got the win for Canada working three innings, giving up three hits and one run. He struck out six. For Singapore, the losing pitcher was Zi Jenn Looi, the first of four pitchers used by the Asian team.
Canada remain undefeated after two games, on top of the Group A standings. Singapore recorded their second consecutive loss.
Top 2nd – Canada sent eight batters and scored three runs to extend their lead to 8-1. Conner Hopper with the clutch hit of the inning, a two-run single up the middle.
Bottom 1st – Singapore scored their first run of the game and the tournament. Ean Eu led off the game with a single, and immediately after Nayan Chopra brought him in with a triple to left field. The game is 5-1
Top 1st – Canada score big in their first at bat. Adrian Green produced the first run with an RBI single. He scored on a two-run triple from Nolan Bultena, who also crossed the plate on a grounder to shortstop. Conner Hopper hit a double, and then scored on a defensive error.
