WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup - Day 3: Historic win for Colombia, Australia beat Czechia in extras, important wins for Mexico, Argentina & USA

Australia, Mexico and USA remain unbeaten after collecting their third win, and in the case of USA their second win, from as many games after another exciting day's play on Day 3 of the WBSC U-18 Men's Softball World Cup Opening Round in Hermosillo, Mexico on Monday.

Joel Byrne tossed and eight-inning complete game to lead Australia to a thrilling 3-2 win over Czechia while Mexico beat Canada 10-3 and USA secured an important win against defending champions Japan, 9-1 in five innings.

Meanwhile, tournament debutants Colombia earned an historic victory against Singapore, 8-5, at Mundialistras Hermosillenses stadium while Argentina made a statement with an 18-1 triumph over New Zealand.

With the top three teams in each group advancing to the Super Round, the battle for a spot in the next stage is heating up with two days left to play in the Opening Round. 

Singapore vs Colombia	5 - 8	Box score
Australia vs Czechia	3 - 2	Box score
Argentina vs New Zealand	18 - 1	Box score
USA vs Japan	9 - 1	Box score
Mexico vs Canada	10 - 3	Box score

In the best game of the day, Australia outlasted Czechia, 3-2, in eight innings with Byrne tossing an eight-inning complete game to lead Australia to victory. The right hander struck out nine, while giving up three hits, two runs and three walks. Australia had a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh, but Andrej Sokol hammered a two-out homer to tie the game and send it to extra innings.

It was an historic day for Colombia as they claimed the country's first win in the history of the tournament. In their third game at the U-18 Men's Softball World Cup, the world No. 24 defeated Singapore, ranked 12th in the world, 8-5.

Meanwhile, Argentina made a statement today, bouncing back from an opening loss to Japan on Sunday with an 18-1 triumph over New Zealand, in their second game of the tournament. The South Americans collected 13 hits in four innings, led by Genaro Correa, Juan Godoy and Facundo Gonzalez with two hits each.

USA secured an important win against winners of the last edition in 2020 Japan, 9-1 in five innings, to remain as the only undefeated team in Group B. The Pan American champions had a strong offensive performance with 10 hits, including a pair of solo homers from Wylie Baumer and Manuel Mendham. Day One Player of the Day Logan Boom went 3-for-4 from the leadoff spot.

An explosive 15-hit offence and a solid appearance from Carlos Parra in relief led Mexico to a 10-3 win over Canada, to remain as Group A's leading team. A total of 10 Mexican players connected a hit in the game.

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Mexico vs Canada

An explosive 15-hit offence and a solid appearance from Carlos Parra in relief led Mexico to a 10-3 win over Canada, to remain unbeaten in Group A. A total of 10 Mexican players connected a hit in the match.

After three scoreless innings, both teams scored multiple runs in the fourth. Mexico scored five times, while Canada did it three times. 

Parra entered in the circle with one out in the fourth inning, and struck out eight in 3.1 innings with no hits and runs.

Mexico is still on top of the standings with 3-0, while Canada dropped to 2-1.

Top 7th - RBI singles from Jorge Rivera and Jose Garza give Mexico a seven-run lead. It's a 10-3 game now.

Top 6th - Two more score for Mexico, on a defensive error and a two-out RBI single off the bat of Christian Del Valle. Mexico lead 8-3 now.

Top 5th - Mexico add one more to the scoreboard. David Diaz doubled to leadoff the inning, and later scored on a perfectly executed squeeze play, with a bunt by Roman Lopez. Mexico lead 6-3.

Bottom 4th - Canada answer with a two-out, three-run rally to reduce the gap to two runs. After two quick outs, Canada rallied with a walk and three consecutive hits (including a Joseph Weiler two-run double) to put the score 5-3.

Top 4th - David Diaz reached first base on a dropped third strike. Back to back hits (a triple to right field from Christian Del Valle and a single off the bat of Brayan Lopez) produced the first two runs of the game for the hosts. Mexico added three more on a two-run single from Jose Vazquez, and an RBI single by Gael Rojas.

USA vs Japan

USA secured an important win against Japan, 9-1 in five innings, to remain as the only undefeated team in Group B. The Pan American champions had a strong offensive performance with 10 hits, including a pair of solo homers from Wylie Baumer and Manuel Mendham. Logan Boom went 3-for-4 from the leadoff spot.

Cody Gibbons pitched five solid innings for the US squad, giving up three hits, one run and one walk, against four strikeouts. He was the winning pitcher. Japan sent three different pitchers to the circle but none of them could stop the US lineup.

USA sit at first place in Group B, with a 2-0 record. Japan is now 2-1 in second place.

Top 5th - USA add three more runs to get a 9-1 advantage on a bases loaded walk, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly to right field. The game is now 9-1.

Bottom 3rd - Red-hot Ryuki Tsuda sends a line drive to right field for a ground-rule double, to produce Japan's first run of the game. He plated Kazuya Kihara, who reached base with a single. It was Tsuda's fifth hit of the tournament.

Top 3rd - Wylie Baumer launched a solo shot over the centre field fence to make it 2-0. USA added four more in the inning with an RBI single from Braden Ducharme and a bases clearing double off the bat of Brody Von Berge.

Top 2nd - Wylie Baumer launched a rocket over the left field fence to give USA a 1-0 lead in the game. 

Argentina vs New Zealand

Argentina made a statement today, bouncing back from yesterday's loss with an 18-1 triumph over New Zealand, in their second game of the tournament. The South Americans collected 13 hits in four innings, led by Genaro Correa, Juan Godoy and Facundo Gonzalez with two hits each.

Lucas Galarza pitched three innings and gave up a run, in the top of the first inning when New Zealand took the early lead. From that point, it was all Argentina.

The South Americans recorded their first win of the event, while New Zealand dropped their record to 0-3.

Top 3rd - Argentina making a statement. The top-ranked nation in the world scores eight to take a 15-1 lead.

Top 2nd - Argentina bounce back with a seven-run rally, Juan Godoy tied the game with an RBI single, and led the way in a four-hit and four-walk inning. Argentina leading 7-1.

Bottom 1st - New Zealand strike first. A sacrifice fly from Shiloh Rice allowed Arron Gollan to score the first run of the game. The Junior Black Sox are winning 1-0.

Australia vs Czechia

Joel Byrne tossed and eight-inning complete game to lead Australia to a close 3-2 win over Czechia, at Fernando Ortiz stadium. The right hander struck out nine, while giving up three hits, two runs and three walks. 

Australia had a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh, but Andrej Sokol hammered a two-out homer to tie the game and send it to extra inning.

In the top of the eighth, Ayden Champneys hit a clutch two-out RBI double to give back the lead to Australia, 3-2. Byrne closed the door in the bottom of the eighth retiring the side to secure Australia's third win of the tournament.

Bottom 8th - Joel Byrne closes the door with a strikeout and Australia clinch their third win of the tournament.

Top 8th - Ayden Champneys gives Australia the lead in extras with the two-out RBI double. Australia in front, 3-2.

Bottom 7th - Down to the last out, Andrej Sokol ties the game with a homer to center field. To extras we go.

Top 4th - Australia take the lead with the same formula. Timothy Gleeson hit a short fly ball behind first base that bounced and ended up in foul territory for a triple. He then scored with a Daydan Dobe single.

Top 3rd - Lachlan Hort tripled with one out, and Jye Robinson tied the game with a single.

Bottom 1st - Jonas Voracek puts Czechia in front with a home run to left field off Australia's starter Joel Byrne. The European Champions are leading, 1-0.

Siganpore vs Colombia

In a back and forth game, Colombia earned a historic victory today against Singapore, 8-5, at Mundialistras Hermosillenses stadium. This is Colombia's first win in the history of the tournament.

Luis Enamorado pitched 1.1 scoreless innings in relief and was credited with the win. Sergio Aragon and Moises Barboza pitched 2.1 and 3.1 innings each for Colombia. The loss was charged to Yi Fan Lim.

Colombia is now 1-2 in the standings and will face Canada and Czechia in the next two days. Singapore, 0-3, will meet Czechia and Mexico.

Bottom 6th - Colombia strike back. A two-run single from Santiago Lara capped a four run rally, that gave COlombia the lead again.

Top 6th - Singapore is in front again. Three defensive errors opened the door for Singapore's comeback. The Asian squad gets a 5-4 advantage.

Bottom 5th - Colombia take the lead again! The South Americans tied the game on a Yoiber Cantero single. Then they loaded the bases and added two more on consecutive walks by Singapore's reliever Yi Fan Lim. Colombia is winning 4-2.

Top 3rd - Singapore answers with two runs on a two-run single off the bat of Yu Zhe Tey, to plate Nayan Chopra and Taiki Kang. Singapore in front, 2-1.

Bottom 2nd - Rafael Verbel walked, stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error in the same play. He scored on an RBI single from Mateo Guzman.