By Gabriel Fidler, Managing Editor.
Germany came from behind to pull off an impressive win over Australia on the first day of the 2025 Under-18 Baseball World Cup, while Italy turned in a superb performance against World No. 1 Japan. Elsewhere, South Africa took the loss against powerful Cuba as action commenced in Okinawa.
Germany – Australia
Baseball Deutschland faced the unenviable task of taking on Mitch Evans, Australia’s 6-foot-4 (193 cm), 205-pound (93 kg) ace, who recently inked a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. However, Robin Spies gave Germany an early lead when he homered in the top of the first off the big southpaw. Australia struck back in the bottom of the third, with a double from William Hardy and RBI-singles from Josh Nati and Christian Lane leading to four runs.
Germany tied the game with two runs in the top half of the fifth and won it in the top of the sixth when Benito Bull doubled off reliever Riley Puckett and scored on an error. Four German pitchers limited Australia to five hits, despite combining for nine walks. Samuel Redle followed relievier Fabian Spiess’ pair of scoreless innings with shutout frames in the sixth and the seventh to earn the win.
Germany had a 10-hit game. Catcher Felix Felix Ströll went 3-for-4 with three RBI, and leadoff hitter Alessandro Carrasquilla collected two hits and scored two runs. Matthew Trainor reached base three times for the Aussies, for whom Evans tossed four innings with three strikeouts, surrendering two runs on four hits and a walk.
Italy – Japan
After keeping Japan scoreless for two innings, Italian starter Santiago Arismendi left with the bases loaded in the bottom of the third, as manager Guglielmo Trinci turned things over to Filippo Brunelli. The left-hander allowed the first run of the game on a walk, but then got out of the pickle on strikes, keeping Italy in the game.
Italy tied the game in the top of the sixth. Federico de Cristan reached on a swinging bunt and advanced to third on a one-out hit-and-run executed by Aldo Pavarani. De Cristan scored on a defensive error. That was all for starter Shota Morishita, with Saku Hayase entering with runners at first and second. Japan escaped the threat when Hikaru Tamenaga stopped Patrick Silva‘s hard-hit chopper at third and went to second for the third.
Centerfielder Riccardo Mazzanti kept Italy in the game with a brilliant running catch in the bottom half of the sixth and The Azzurri thought they had taken the tie into the seventh when Kaito Fujimori grounded a soft comebacker to reliever Ivan Larice. The right-hander delayed the throw to first and Patrick Silva lost the ball as the runner reached the base, and Samurai Japan scored three runs on two errors, going three-up, three-down in the seventh to ice the 4-1 victory.
No player for either team had more than one hit, though Japan’s Hyuma Okabe singled and walked three times in the leadoff spot, stealing a base. Morishita was superb, punching out eight in 5.1 innings and permitting only four hits and no walks. Italy’s three pitchers surrendered just five hits and one earned run, but issued eight free passes.
Cuba – South Africa
A six-run second opened the gates for Cuba, and Antilleans cruised to a 10-0 mercy rule victory despite recording only six hits. Joshua Botha broke up Leandro Forteza’s no-hitter in the fourth inning, but South Africa would not record another hit and had only two baserunners in the game. Caelum Stroberg (2.1 IP, 4H, 0ER, 1BB) and Connor Stander (1IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 1K) were solid in relief for Africa’s representative.
Other Games
In Game 1, the United States shut out Panamá, 9-0, while South Korea rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the first to win 5-2. The final game of the day saw Taiwan shut out China, 7-0, permitting just two hits.
Day 2 Schedule
Italy will take on Cuba at the same time as Germany and China wrangle, with the Deutschlanders hoping to remain perfect. South Africa takes on Puerto Rico as the Under-18 Baseball World Cup continues in Okinawa.
Group A Standings
Cuba: 1-0
Japan: 1-0
South Korea: 1-0
Italy: 0-1
Puerto Rico: 0-1
South Africa: 0-1
Group B Standings
Germany: 1-0
Taiwan: 1-0
U.S.A.: 1-0
Australia: 0-1
China: 0-1
Panamá: 0-1
Also see our Under-18 Baseball World Cup Preview [link].