Michal Holobradek goes the distance to pitch Czech Republic past USA 6-3 in historic win

Michal Holobradek goes the distance to pitch Czech Republic past USA 6-3 in historic win
28/11/2022
The Czech pitcher recorded 10 strikeouts, while allowing eight hits, three runs and three walks. It is the first time the Czech Republic beat USA in five attempts at a WBSC Men's Softball World Cup.

Czech Republic recovered from a tough loss against Cuba on Sunday with an historic 6-3 victory against USA to open Field 1 action on Day Three of the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup at Rosedale Park in Auckland, New Zealand on Monday. George Harris and Tomas Klein homered for the European Champions, which recorded their first-win ever against USA in the history of the tournament - USA having won their first four World Cup contests.

In the first innings of the game, Harris stole the show. In the second frame he hit a solo home run to give Czech Republic a 2-0 lead, and then made an spectacular run-saving diving catch in right-centre field to end the third inning.

In the fourth inning, Klein hit a three-run homer to double his team’s difference and give his pitcher Michal Holobradek a comfortable 6-0 lead in the game.

USA scored two in the sixth inning, including a solo shot by Jonathan Lynch, and added one in the seventh with an RBI double off the bat of Matt Palazzo. However, Holobradek forced Lynch to a fly ball for the out number 21 and clinched the win for the Europeans.

Holobradek went the distance and recorded 10 strikeouts, while allowing eight hits, three runs and three walks.

With this victory, Czech Republic improved their record to 2-1, tied with the US, which suffered their first loss of the event. Tomorrow, USA will take on Cuba, while Czech Republic will face Argentina.

Quotes: Czech Republic Coach Jaroslav Korcak

"We stressed to them that this is a tournament where there is no time to feel sorry for ourselves and we needed to gather ourselves and put our hearts into today’s game. That is what we did. I am very proud of our team and how they managed to bounce back.

"Hitting … and pitching. We managed to take the opportunities that were given to us at the start of the game and take the lead. On the mound Michal (Holobradek) pitched a really great game and he definitely helped us win.

"If you hit one or two homers then that helps big time. It was a great team performance – we were on the ball, we were hitting the ball and I am real proud of our team.

"This might be the first time we have seen the sun for the majority of the day and we produce this."

USA Coach Ron Hackett

"We have had back-to-back days of firsts – one we were on the good side of things yesterday and today we are on the bad side. That tells you a lot about what this tournament is – there is a lot of parity within the teams and a lot of great teams who have earned their way here.

"If you don’t come to the ballpark every day and do the things that you need to do, you are going to get caught. I do not think we had a poor performance – all credit to the Czechs. They had opportunities and took advantage of them. We had opportunities and left a lot of people on base. We didn’t take advantage.

"I think that was the key. I don’t think our pitching was very good today either. But credit to them – they took advantage.

"I’ve told the team – don’t change nothing. We’ve got lots more of this tournament to play and if we just keep doing the things we are doing, focussing on us, we’ll be just fine."