The Australian team is at the top of their game. They defeated Cuba in a friendly match in preparation for the World Cup of Baseball with a 5-0 shutout.
After four scoreless frames to start the contest, the Aussies scored five runs between the fifth and seventh period. Brett RONEBERG and Glenn WILLIAMS hit back-to-back doubles and scored on a passed ball and a sacrifice fly by Ben RISINGER to build a 2-0 lead. Brad HARMAN followed with a solo-homerun in the sixth. Tom BRICE scored a run on RONEBERGS second hit of the day. Mike COLLINS made it 5-0 with a solo-shot in the seventh.
Adam BLACKLEY and the bullpen of the Australian team held the strong offense of Cuba short. BLACKLEY allowed just one hit in four innings, striking out three. His counterpart on the Cuban side was Elier SANCHEZ, who struck out seven of the 13 batters he faced. He left the mound after the fourth and the pounding began.
It was the final tune up for Australia before the tournament start. Cuba will face Italy on Sunday. Both teams will meet again next Wednesday, when they are open their World Cup schedule against each other.
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