Two days ago, the USA was looking like a long shot for the playoffs, but after three straight wins they’re making opponents sit up and take notice.
Huge wins against Mexico and Japan gave the Americans a renewed confidence heading into Day 6. While they stumbled temporarily in their game against Singapore, an 8-4 win launched them into third place in the overall standings.
“We weren’t considered one of the elite five coming in, but that’s OK,” said head coach Tim Lyon. “You have to earn that respect. We’re young.”
USA jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the 1st inning against Singapore, thanks to an error and two wild pitches. They would add another run in the 2nd when Faron Apauty Jr. drove Tyler Bouley home with a single.
Singapore began their rally attempt in the bottom of the 3rd with a walk and two singles, followed by a massive two-run homer off the bat of Malcolm Lim. But the Americans replaced starting pitcher Collin Hopkins with Ryker Chason in the fifth, and Chason shut down Singapore the rest of the way, recording six strikeouts over three innings.
USA tacked on insurance runs from Colton Nielson and Jimbo Pernetti, improving their record at the tournament to 5-2.
“It’s been a good ride,” said Lyon. “When you pick a team, you don’t know how they’re going to come together, but we’ve done well. We’re sitting in a nice spot now, in control of our destiny.”
It’s the opposite situation for the Japanese, who have had two days they would rather forget. Japan was undefeated through the first four days of the world championship, but tough losses to New Zealand and the USA Tuesday, followed by a loss to Argentina on Day 6, leave them in a tie for 4th place at 4-3.
Japan became the first team to score a run on Argentina at the tournament, leading 1-0 after two innings. But Argentina’s bats woke up in the third, with a single by Huemul Mata bringing Teo Migliavacca across the plate to tie the game.
In the top of the fourth, Gonzalo Masmu socked a two-run homer to put Argentina ahead. Masmu followed that up with a three-run dinger in the fifth, and another long ball to cash in two in the seventh. Final score was 8-1 for Argentina.
Roman Godoy pitched all seven innings for Argentina, recording an impressive 17 strikeouts, as they improved to 7-0. Kazuki Kajihara had the lone run for Japan.
Australia and Mexico also battled to keep their playoff hopes alive on Day 6. The Mexicans were coming off a 5-3 win over host Canada earlier in the day, and looking for another upset against the Colts.
Pitchers Jerremyah Seluand and Jaudiel Oliaiz were both in fine form, with just one run scored in the first five innings – Callum Beashel scored on a sacrifice fly for the Aussies in the top of the 1st.
Mexico couldn’t solve Selu until the 6th, when runs from Jossie Garcia and Jonathon Cardona gave them the 2-1 lead. Hayden Mathews replied for Australia in the 7th so it was off to extra innings, where Mathews would once again play an important role.
A single by Dylan Rakich brought home David McCaskie, and a two-RBI double by Mathews was the icing on the cake, as the Colts pulled out a 5-3 win. They’re now tied with Japan for fourth place at 4-3, while Mexico drops to 3-4.
Canadian Bats Come Alive Against Denmark
Looking to avenge their loss to Mexico earlier in the day, the Canadians came out strong against Denmark in the final match of Day 6.
Francois-Charles Rene opened the scoring with a three-run homer in the top of the 1st and picked up another RBI in a 3rd inning that saw Canada put up seven on the scoreboard. They never looked back en route to a 13-0 win in four innings.
Marc-Andre Villeneuve pitched all four innings for Canada, allowing just four hits and recording three strikeouts.
It’s a good confidence boost for the Canadians as they face a tough opponent their next game in the Japanese. With a 3-4 record, a win Thursday would tie them with Japan in the standings.
In earlier action, New Zealand rebounded from their loss to Argentina with a 6-2 win over the Czech Republic. Connor Peden ripped a two-run triple for the Junior Black Sox while Te Kahui Bishop had three hits on the night. Ethan Johnston recorded the win on the mound.
Patrik Kopecny led the Czechs with two hits and a run.
Tomorrow’s action at the world championship gets underway at 2:30 pm Pacific, with Denmark taking on Mexico. Argentina looks to keep their perfect record intact against the USA at 5:00 pm, and Canada faces Japan at 7:30 pm.
