The Opening Round of the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Finals finished on Thursday in Prince Albert, Canada, with four teams still in contention for the title. Japan and USA advanced to the Super Round in Group B while Venezuela and New Zealand progressed from Group A.
USA, bronze medallists from 2022, defeated the Dominican Republic, 11-1 in four innings, while Japan knocked out defending champions Australia, 11-2, in five innings.
Venezuela, meanwhile, took their second win of the tournament, 7-2 against New Zealand, with both finishing Group A with a 2-1 win-loss record to advance to the Super Round, which starts on Friday.
In the final game of the Opening Round, Argentina powered past Canada, 7-3, to finish third in Group A.
In Group A, Venezuela and New Zealand secured their spots in the Super Round, both finishing the Opening Round with a 2-1 record. Venezuela was first after Thursday’s victory against the Kiwis while Argentina claimed their first win of the tournament against Canada to finish third in the group standings.
Japan and USA finished Group B tied with a 2-1 win-loss record, but the Asian squad secured first place thanks to their head to head victory against USA. Australia and Dominican Republic ended 1 -2, but the 2022 champions finished third as they won their matchup.
The WBSC revealed the Super Round schedule for the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Finals following the conclusion of the 12-game Opening Round in Prince Albert, Canada.
Dominican Republic vs USA
USA became the first qualified team for the Super Round with an 11-1 victory against Dominican Republic, closing Group B with a 2-1 record. A 10-run explosion in the bottom of the fourth secured the win for USA.
In the fourth frame, Eric Ochoa hit a bases-clearing double and Jonathan Lynch walked it off with a three run homer to clinch the win for the US squad. He collected four RBIs in the game. Yusef Davis Jr. went 2-for-2 wi a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Marco Diaz pitched the four innings for the winning team, giving up one run and four hits while striking out five. For the Dominicans, Michael Batista was charged with the loss.
Venezuela vs New Zealand
Engelbert Herrera homered and drove in four runs in Venezuela’s 7-2 win over New Zealand, closing their Opening Round in the World Cup. Kleiver Rodriguez also homered for the winning team.
Maiker Pimentel went the distance for Venezuela, giving up six hits and two runs while striking out 10. He collected his second win of the competition.
For New Zealand, Thomas Enoka and Cole Evans homered for the only two runs of the game. The losing pitcher was Pita Rona, who pitched 2.2 innings and allowed three runs on three hits.
Both teams finished Group A with a 2-1 record.
Australia vs Japan
Leadoff hitter Tei Hamamoto drove in four runs and hit one of Japan’s four homers in the game lifting Japan to an 11-2 win against Australia, securing a spot in the Super Rond which starts tomorrow. Yusuke Morita, Kaito Masaki and Kazuya Toriyama also homered for the Asian squad.
Hiroki Ikeda pitched five innings for Japan, striking out seven opponents while giving up three hits and two runs. Jack Besgrove was the losing pitcher for Australia.
With this win, Japan secured the number one place in Group B, and advanced to the Super Round along with USA.
Argentina vs Canada
A two-homer, five-RBI game by Allan Peker lifted Argentina past Canada, 7-2, in the last game of the Opening Round, claiming the third spot in Group A. The lead-off hitter went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs.
Matias Etchevers made his debut with the senior national team, replacing Huemul Mata in the circle in the fifth inning and pitching 2.2 scoreless innings. He struck out four and didn’t allow a hit.
After two quiet games, Argentina’s offense pilled up 10 hits and seven runs.
For Canada, veteran pitcher Sean Cleary was charged with the loss, allowing six hits and four runs in one inning of work.
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