It was quit an interesting day two at the Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Besides the expected 10-0 romp of Canada, there were some surprises.
South Korea made a statement against Australia, scoring 16 runs in just four innings. And this was not against an underdog. But it was just a win, nothing more. At least on paper.
The second interesting match was the European clash between Germany and Spain. The Cuban-born southpaw Enorbel MARQUEZ-RAMIREZ put on a show against Yoel HERNANDEZ and put his team back into the mix. HERNANDEZ didn’t disappointed either, but received no run support. What can he do more than seven-plus innings of one-run-ball?
However if Germany wants to clinch a spot at the Olympics they have to top their performance on Sunday, when they are facing Chinese Taipei. Manuel MOELLER or Andre HUGHES are expected to start.
Taiwan is the third team with two victories. They beat Mexico, who is right under the same pressure, like four months ago. They came back at the Baseball World Cup (BWC) after a 0-3 start and reached the quarterfinals. But this March only the top three teams will advance. They have to win tomorrow against South Korea. And this is not the easiest opponent, which you can get, when you allowed 31 hits in the first two games.
Australia, which has split the first two, faces Canada tomorrow. Both met each other in front of the Qualifier, with the maple leafs winning three out of five games. It should be interesting.
The fourth match on Sunday is between two 0-2 squads. Spain has good recollections of South Africa as they defeated them 7-4 at the BWC to earn their only real victory. The second came through a disqualification of Panama.
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