WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup - Day 5: Venezuela beat Argentina to claim final Super Round spot, schedule announced
The Opening Round of the WBSC U-18 Men's Softball World Cup closed on Wednesday in Hermosillo, Mexico, as the Super Round teams and records were confirmed after Wednesday's five games. In the exciting game third game of the day, Venezuela pipped Argentina in a 3-2 thriller, becoming the sixth and final team in the Super Round after finishing third in Group B. They joined Mexico (2-0), USA (2-0), Canada (1-1), Japan (1-1) and Australia (0-2) in the battle for the title of World Champions.
With the Super Round teams confirmed, the WBSC announced the schedule of the Super Round, starting on Thursday. See the full schedule and results here.
| Czechia vs Colombia | 10 - 1 | Box score |
| Canada vs Australia | 4 - 3 | Box score |
| Venezuela vs Argentina | 3 - 2 | Box score |
| New Zealand vs USA | 10 - 8 | Box score |
| Singapore vs Mexico | 3 - 11 | Box score |
Venezuela and Australia, the lowest ranked nations in the Super Round standings with a 0-2 win-loss record, will play each other at 14.00 local time with both likely needing a win to remain in medal contention.
Canada and Japan, both tied in the Super Round standings with a 1-1 record, will face off at 17.00; while Mexico and USA, the two teams on top of the standings, will close the day at 20:00.
Out of Wednesday's five games, the Venezuela v Argentina match up was touted as a crunch encounter with the winner going through to the Super Round and the loser in the Placement Round. And the game certainly delivered with Venezuela coming from behind in the top of the seventh to defeat Argentina, 3-2. A two-out, two-run single from Sebastian Hassell in the top of the seventh gave Venezuela the much-needed win to secure third place in Group B.
In the first game at Fernando Ortiz Stadium, Australia and Canada also played with a lot on the line including second place in Group A as well as a superior Super Round record. Canada recovered from a 2-0 deficit in the sixth to defeat Australia, 4-3, in their last game of the Opening Round. With the win Canada clinched the second place in Group A, leaving Australia third.
Venezuela and Australia, the lowest ranked nations in the Super Round standings with a 0-2 win-loss record, will play each other at 14.00 local time. It's probably the last opportunity for them to remain in contention for a medal.
Canada and Japan, both tied in the Super Round standings with 1-1, will face off at 17.00; while Mexico and USA, the two teams on top of the standings, will close the day at 20:00.
In the biggest game of the day, Venezuela came from behind in the top of the seventh to defeat Argentina, 3-2, and secure a spot in the Super Round. A two-out, two-run single from Sebastian Hassell in the top of the seventh gave Venezuela the much-needed win to secure third place in Group B. Argentina dropped to the Placement Round.
In the first game at Fernando Ortiz stadium Australia and Canada collided with the second place of the group at stake, and therefore with implications for the Super Round standings. Canada recovered from a 2-0 deficit in the sixth to defeat Australia, 4-3, in their last game of the Opening Round. With the win Canada clinched the second place in Group A, leaving Australia third.
Singapore vs Mexico
Mexico closed the Opening Round with a five-inning win over Singapore, 11-3, and remain as the only team undefeated in the tournament. The host team used a seven-run inning to secure the game and close the group phase on a high note.
Yahir Yerene collected three RBIs in the game, while Christian Del Valle had two. Del Valle is tied for third place in the tournament with six RBIs.
Mexico is the only undefeated team in the tournament and will open the Super Round tied for first place, along with USA.
Bottom 4th - Mexico extend the lead to 11-3 with six hits in the inning, including another RBI single by Yerena (his third of the game). Jose Vazquez and Brayan Lopez also collected RBIs.
Bottom 3rd - Mexico retake the lead with an RBI single from Yahir Yerena. Mexico 4-3.
Top 3rd - Singapore tie the game on four hits, including back to back RBI singles by Taiki Kang and Remy Chang. The game is 3-3.
Bottom 1st - Mexico respond with three runs in their first at bat. Christian Del Valle drives in two with a single up the middle, and later scored on a double from Yahir Yerena. After one complete inning, Mexico lead 3-1.
Top 1st - Singapore's leadoff hitter Ean Eu sends the first pitch of the game way over the center field fence. Singapor is ahead of Mexico, 1-0.
New Zealand vs USA
In a high scoring game, New Zealand stunned USA, 10-8, and claimed their first win of the tournament. With this result, that didn't impact the final standings, Group B finished without undefeated teams.
A five-run fourth inning was the key for New Zealand. They went down on the scoreboard in the first inning, but recovered from a five-run deficit to clinch the win.
USA finished on top of Group B and advanced to the Super Round with 2-0 record (their wins against Japan and Venezuela) while New Zealand will play the Placement Round.
Top 7th - Joshua Kennedy gives New Zealand an insurance run with a solo homer to right field. The score is now 10-8 for the Junior Black Sox.
Bottom 4th - USA's shortstop Braden Ducharme make it a one-run ball game with a double down the right field line. New Zealand is still in front, 9-8.
Top 4th - New Zealand explode with five runs, including a Maximus Russell two run homer to center field. Later in the inning, a costly defensive error by Braden Ducharme allowed New Zealand to take a 9-7 lead.
Bottom 2nd - Cody Gibbons hit a single up the middle to score two runs for USA, who are leading 7-4.
Top 2nd - New Zealand answer with four runs. A pair of errors and a George McCarroll two-run single make it a two-run ballgame.
Bottom 1st - A grand slam from Cody Von Berge gives USA a 5-0 lead. It was a no-doubter for the right fielder (bat flip included).
Venezuela vs Argentina
A two-out, two-run single from Sebastian Hassell in the top of the seventh gave Venezuela a comeback win against Argentina, sending his team to the Super Round as Group B's third placed team.
In a head-to-head matchup for the last available spot in the Super Round, Venezuela prevailed over Argentina at the Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium, scoring two runs in their last at bat.
Venezuela will start the Super Round with a 0-2 record, while Argentina dropped to the Placement Round.
Top 7th - Venezuela come from behind! A two-out, two-run single from Sebastian Hassell gives back the lead to his team.
Bottom 6th - Joshua Poblette gives Argentina a late-inning lead. He homered over the center field fence and the game is 2-1 for the white and blue
Bottom 4th - Argentina's catcher Facundo Gonzalez ties the game with a single up the middle. Then Venezuelan pitcher Carlos Pinto, with the bases loaded, struck out pinch hitter Valentin Mata to end the inning. The game is 1-1.
Top 3rd - Venezuela strike first in the game. Juan Carlos Pereira tripled to right-center field, and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Orlando Rodriguez. Venezuela lead 1-0.
Preview - The third match of the day will be an elimination game between Venezuela and Argentina. Both teams sit at 1-2 in the standings, and with USA and Japan securing first and second place in Group B, the third place is up for grabs for Argentina and Venezuela. The game will start at 15:00.
Canada vs Australia
Canada recovered from a 2-0 deficit in the sixth to defeat Australia, 4-3, in their last game of the Opening Round. With the win Canada clinched second place in Group A, leaving Australia third.
Daniel Scott hit a clutch two-run homer to the opposite field to give Canada the lead. The winning pitcher for Canada was Nathan Thiessen, who struck out seven in five innings, giving up three hits, three runs and three walks.
Both teams move to the Super Round. Canada will open the next phase with a 1-1 record, while Australia will start with a 0-2 mark.
Bottom 6th - Jye Robinson doubles and scores on a single from Timothy Gleeson to center field. Gleeson was thrown out in second in the same play. Canada still lead 4-3.
Top 6th - Canada come from behind and take a 4-2 lead. Nolan Bultena tied the game with a two-run single and two piches later Daniel Scott hammered a home run to right field to give his team a two-run lead.
Bottom 3rd - Jye Robinson connect a high pitch over the left field fence, to give Australia a two-run lead.
Preview - Canada and Australia will play a Super Round game in advance. Both teams have secured their place in the Super Round and this match will define their final position in Group A: The winner of the game will be second in the group, behind USA, and will start the Super Round with a 1-1 record. The loser will open the next stage at 0-2. First pitch at 14:00.
Czechia vs Colombia
Andrej Sokol went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored to lead Czechia to a 10-1 win against Colombia, closing the Opening Round with a 2-3 record. The game, valid for Group A but also for the Placement Round (as the two teams are out of contention for the medals), ended in the fifth inning.
Matej Macas and Vilem Bartij split the workload from the pitching rubber. Macas didn't give up hits or runs, striking out five in 2.2 innings; while Bartij gave up one run and one hit in 2.1 frames. For Colombia, Moises Barboza was the losing pitcher.
Czechia closed the Opening Round as fourth place in Group A, and will open the Placement Round with 2-0 record. Colombia finished in fifth place, and move to the Placement Round with a 1-1 win-loss mark.
Top 5th - Czechia score three runs on five hits to make it 10-1. Andrej Sokol collected his third RBI of the game.
Bottom 4th - Julio Rosario singled to get on base and scored later on a wild pitch. The Europeans still lead, 7-1.
Top 4th - The European champions extend their lead to 7-0. Andrej Sokol tripled with two runners on. He then scored on a grounder from David Jaluska.
Top 1st - Czechia take a 4-0 lead. David Jaluska drove in the first run of the game, David Pokorny hit a two-RBI triple and then scored on a single from Ondrej Seda.
Preview - With both teams out of contention for a medal, Czechia and Colombia will play the first game of the day. Both teams have posted a 1-3 win-loss record, and will play in the Placement Round. The winner will clinch fourth place in Group A, and will get an advantage for the Placement Round.
