Left-handed pitcher Jack Besgrove, who led Australia to victory at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup last December with a complete-game performance in the final, highlights Australia’s confirmed 16-man roster for the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup 2023, to be played in Parana, Argentina, from 15-23 April.
Besgrove, 18, threw the entire seven innings for 10 strikeouts and only four hits in the World Cup final to help Australia power to a 5-2 win over Canada. He is one of 10 players who have maintained their spots from an initial roster named in 2022.
According to Softball Australia, the 16-man roster for the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup 2023 has been selected by national selectors based on their performances at the 2023 Open Men's and Under 23 Men's National Championships.
"I'm excited to be taking such a talent-rich team to the inaugural Under-23 Men’s World Cup," said head coach David Metekingi. "This team has the potential to make a big impact on the international stage, and I'm looking forward to seeing them perform at their best in Argentina."
Australian U-23 Men's National Team:
- Jack BESGROVE
- Thomas CASS
- Hayden DOBE
- Ethan FIELD
- Jeremy GARLAND
- Ashlee GOFFER
- Shannon GOFFER
- Matt HARROW
- Riley JAMES
- Ryan KING
- Nathan LYNCH
- Cody SMITH
- Caleb VAN DE GRIENDT
- Lincoln WALK
- Jeremy WATERS
- Cameron WHITE
Australia will travel to Argentina with an experienced team on the international stage. Riley James will be trying to win his fourth WBSC Softball World Cup medal in Argentina. He was the youngest player in Australia’s 2018 junior world championship team; and hit .444 playing all games in the 2020 U-18 World Cup, winning the silver medal. Last year, he came from the bench primarily as a pinch hitter at the Men's Softball World Cup 2022.
The roster includes three Men’s Softball World Champions. Besides Besgrove and James, also Harrow was a member of the national team that won the title in New Zealand last year.
The team also features four members of the U-18 world-champion team that was crowned in Prince Albert, Canada, in 2018: Harrow, James, King and Waters.
Six players won a silver medal at the WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup 2020 in Palmerston North, New Zealand: Besgrove, Field, Garland, James, Van de Griendt and Walk.
For the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup, Australia shares Group A with No. 1 Argentina, No. 6 Czechia, No. 10 Mexico, No. 12 South Africa and No. 14 Singapore.
