WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup - Day 1: USA complete spectacular comeback-victory over Venezuela; Canada, Japan, Australia and Mexico also win on opening day
The WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup 2023 opened in Hermosillo, Mexico on Saturday with five games at Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium and Fernando Ortiz Stadium. Canada secured the first win of the tournament at Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium with a 5-2 victory against Czechia. In a high scoring game, Japan started their world-title defence with a 10-5 win against New Zealand while USA came from behind to top Venezuela in an 8-5 thriller. Fine-time champions Australia grabbed a four-inning win against Singapore before Mexico closed the day with a four-inning victory.
| Canada vs Czechia | 5 - 2 | Box Score |
| New Zealand vs Japan | 5 - 10 | Box Score |
| Venezuela vs USA | 5 - 8 | Box Score |
| Australia vs Singapore | 14 - 0 | Box Score |
| Colombia vs Mexico | 0 - 10 | Box Score |
More than 1,000 fans filled the Fernando Ortiz stands for Mexico’s debut in the WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup, after a spectacular Opening Ceremony with a laser, light and flame performance.
The clutch moment of the day was delivered by USA’s centre field Logan Boom, who hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to put his team in front of Venezuela, 7-5. In addition, Boom scored three runs from the leadoff spot for USA and made a superb diving catch to be selected as Player of the Day.
All games of the WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup are broadcast live on GameTime, the WBSC's online streaming service. Tournament and Daily Passes are some of the options to watch the WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup on GameTime.
Day 1 - How it Happened
Colombia vs Mexico
In front of 1,000 fans that packed the Fernando Ortiz stands, Mexico defeated Colombia, 10-0, in four innings. Their pitcher, Derek Anceno, tossed a no-hitter and faced the minimum opponents, striking out nine. The only Colombian runner in the game was Rafael Verbel, who was hit by a pitch in the second inning but was caught stealing second base later.
On the offensive side, Gael Rojas collected five RBIs in the game, including a monster home run in the top of the third. He finished the night 2-for-2. Roman Lopez was the other Mexican player with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with three runs scored.
Bottom of the 4th – Another Mexico four-run rally ends the game, 10-0. Gael Rojas hit the walk-off double to left field. Rojas ended the game with five RBIs.
Top of the 4th – Mexico’s pitcher Derek Anceno has had a dominant outing so far. After four innings of work, he has faced the minimum, striking out nine. The only Colombian hitter to reach base was Rafael Verbel in the top of the second, who was hit by a pitch. However, he was thrown out trying to steal second base.
Bottom of the 3rd – Mexico explode with four runs to get a comfortable lead. A defensive error by Colombian first baseman Julio Rosario allowed Mexico’s third run to score, extended the inning and opened the door for a three-run homer from Gael Rojas. Mexico lead 6-0 after three complete innings.
Bottom of the 2nd – Zepeda scored again for Mexico. With two outs and Zepeda on second on a bases, Colombia’s starter Luis Enamorado walked three consecutive hitters to give up a run. David Diaz flied deep into the warning track on center field, to end the inning. He was a few meters away from the grand slam.
Bottom of the 1st – Manuel Zepeda scores the first run of the game. With runners on first and second, Christian Del Valle grounded to short stop, but a throwing error by second baseman Yoiber Cantero trying to complete a double play on first base allowed Zepeda to score from second.
Australia vs Singapore
Australia made their debut in the tournament today with a 14-0 victory agains Singapore at Fernando Ortiz Stadium, in Game 4 -of the World Cup. The Aussies scored at least one run in their four at-bats, including a six-run rally in the second inning. Kylan Pearce and Ayden Champneys led Australia’s offence.
Pearce went 3-for-4 from the leadoff spot, with four runs scored and two RBIs, while Champneys finished 2-for-3 with a pari of runs and two RBIs.
Joel Byrne pitched three innings of one hit ball, striking out seven opponents, and Luke Russell took care of the last inning, giving up two walks against two strikeouts.
Top of the 4th – Ayden Champneys hit a long, high fly ball that was lost by left fielder Koji Ng. The ball hit the wall and allowed Australia’s first baseman to round the bases for an inside-the-park home run. Australia added two more on a defensive error and a fielder's choice. 14-0 for the green and gold team.
Top of the 3rd – Australia add three more with a sac fly from Lachlan Hort, a wild pitch and an illegal pitch. Oceania’s squad with a comfortable 10-0 lead.
Top of the 2nd – Australia sent 11 hitters to the plate to score six runs on four hits and two walks. The Aussies are in front, 7-0.
Top of the 1st - Kylan Pearce reached on an infield single, stole second base and moved to third on a fly ball to left field from Timothy Gleeson. Pearce then scored the first run of the game on a wild pitch. Australia lead 1-0.
Venezuela vs USA
USA secured their first win of the tournament with a late-inning comeback against Venezuela, 8-5. A pair of homers in the fifth and sixth innings allowed the Pan American champions to clinch a key victory in Group B.
Venezuela scored once in each of the first four innings of the game, to take a 4-1 lead after four complete innings. However, in the bottom of the fifth, USA started the comeback, with a no-doubter from Brennan Ducharme.
In the bottom of the sixth, a three-run shot off the bat of Logan Boom was the highest note of a five-run rally that gave USA the definitive lead.
The win was credited to Karson Martin, who pitched 0.2 innings wi a hit and a run allowed. The losing pitcher for Venezuela was Carlos Pinto, who started the game and lasted 5.1 innings, giving up six hits, six runs and six walks; while striking out six.
Bottom of the 6th – USA mount a five-run rally, highlighted by a three-run homer from Logan Boom, to take the lead for the first time in the game. USA in front, 8-5.
Top of the 6th – Rafael Bonilla hit a two-out triple to right field, and the scored on a wild pitch. Starter Carlos Pinto get an insurance run. The game is 5-3 for the South American squad.
Bottom of the 5th – Brennan Ducharme makes it a one-run ballgame with a home run over the center field fence. It's the first homer in the WBSC -18 Men's Softball World Cup 2023. Venezuela still in front, 4-3.
Third inning – The teams trade runs in the third inning. Sebastian Hassell scored for Venezuela, while Logan Boom did it for USA on a defensive error. The game is now 3-1 for the Venezuelans.
Top of the 2nd – Jefferson Colmenarez reached first on an error. Then stole second base and advanced to third an another mistake. And finally scored Venezuela’s second run on a single from Juan Carlos Pereira.
Top of the 1st – Venezuela strike first with an RBI single from Jose Morales to plate lead-off hitter Juan Carlos Pereira, who had singled to start the game.
New Zealand vs Japan
In a high scoring game, Japan started their world-title defence with a 10-5 win agains New Zealand, in the second game of the World Cup. Ryuki Tsuda scored three times on two hits, while second baseman Yuito Matsuo drove in two to become the biggest contributors for Japan.
Sixth inning – New Zealand plate three runs on three walks, an RBI double from Ciaran Bloger and a single from Lennox Easthope. However, Japan replied with two in the bottom of the inning, on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly. We head to the seventh with Japan leading 10-5.
Bottom of the 5th – Japan rally for four runs extend their lead to 8-2. Yuito Matsuo drove in two with a comebacker that hit New Zealand’s pitcher Hunter Simpson and wen into the right field. An error and an RBI single from Eito Yodogawa produced Japan’s other two runs.
Bottom of the 4th – Japan answer with three runs in the bottom half of the inning and recover the lead. Three costly defensive errors from New Zealand opened the door for Japan.
Top of the 4th - New Zealand take the lead!! George McCarroll and Shiloh Rice with the RBIs to put their team in front 2-1.
Bottom of the 1st - Ryuki Tsuda hit a double down the right field line to put Japan in front, 1-0.
Canada vs Czechia
Canada secured their first win of the tournament at Mundialistas Hermosillenses stadium, with a 5-2 victory against Czechia in Game 1 of the competition. Sharl Leclerc went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored, and pitched 4.1 innings in relief to get the win.
A pair of RBI triples from Blake Brubacher and Adrian Green in the second and third innings gave Canada the early lead over Czechia, and they never looked back.
Leclerc pitched 4.1 innings, giving up three hits, one run and one walk, while striking out six.
For Czechia, the loss was charged to Matej Macas, who struck out 10 in seven innings, allowing six hits and five runs.
Top of the 7th - Sharl Leclerc, who is pitching in relief since the second inning for Canada, brings in Brubacher to extend Canada’s lead to 5-2.
Third inning – Both teams exchange runs. Canada score their fourth run of the game on a triple from Adrian Green, while the European champions took advantage of a defensive error to cross the plate. The score is 4-2.
Bottom of the 2nd - Ondrej Seda puts Czechia on the scoreboard with a run-scoring single to the left field. It was Czechia’s first hit of the game.
Top of the 2nd – Canada rally for three runs, highlighted by a two-RBI triple from Blake Brubacher. Canada lead 3-0.
The WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup is underway. Game 1 between Canada and Czechia opens the 42-game schedule in Hermosillo. You can follow the play by play here.
