Australia wins slugfest against South Africa
AUS 403 200 310 13 14 4 SAF 070 110 002 11 14 1
It was not the brightest win for Australia. They defeated South Africa 13-11, finishing the tournament with a 4-3 record and in fifth place.
The game was tied 9-9 after six innings. The Aussies scored three runs and took a 12-9 lead. Daniel BERG provided the eventual winning run with a sacrifice fly. South Africa rallied in the ninth, scoring two runs on a balk and a throwing error by second baseman Luke HUGHES. The game ended when Allan RANDALL was picked off at first.
Overall it was an interesting match with poor pitching efforts and several mishaps in defense. Australia jumped out to a fast lead, but South Africa came right back and scored seven runs in the second. It went back and forth until the seventh period.
HUGHES hit a two-run-homerun, reached base four times and drove in three runs. James LINGER, Glenn WILLIAMS, Tom BRICE, Paul WEICHARD and Brendan KINGMAN each had two hits for Australia.
South Africa celebrated their biggest offensive outburst of the event. Jamie ROSSOUW had three hits, Anthony PHILLIPS, Kyle BOTHA and Brett WILLENBURG each two. Gavin RAY drove in two with a single.
Their starter Jared ELARIO was hit by a line drive of the bat of the fifth batter he faced and left the game due to an arm injury. He was charged with three hits, four runs and a walk in 1/3 of an inning. Kevin TOWNEND gave up the deciding runs to take the loss.
Australia’s starter Steve KENT allowed seven hits, seven runs (5 ER) and two base on balls in 1 2/3 innings. Brad TIPPETT stopped the South African offense and received the win after three one-hit innings of relief.
It was the seventh loss in the seventh game for South Africa. However they were competitive in nearly every game and gained much experience for the next tournament.
