by International Baseball Federation, www.ibaf.org
Super Round Robin
(1st to 6th)
USA 5 – Chinese Taipei 4
In a crucial matchup en route to a Gold Medal Final participation the United States defeated Chinese Taipei 5-4 in ten innings. A RBI single by Christopher Martin in the bottom of the first extra-inning decided the outcome in walk-off style. The US squad had tied the game in the seventh to force bonus baseball. Thomas Burbank made it happen with four scoreless innings of three-hit relief.
Venezuela 1 – Panama 7
Panama scored four runs in the first to upset defending champion Venezuela 7-1. Didier Vargas and Wilfredo Pereira dominated the Venezuelan bats through nine innings. Miguel Amaya and Abraham Rodriguez scored twice. Angello Infante got charged with the loss, surrendering five hits (4 ER) on six hits in three innings.
Cuba 2 – Mexico 5
In the evening host Mexico stunned Cuba with a four-run rally in the fourth en route to a 5-2 victory. A bases clearing triple by Luis Rodriguez in his fourth at bat of the tournament highlighted the big frame. He also pitched 5 1/3 strong innings, conceding just two runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings. Pedro Portuondo took the loss.
(7th to 12th)
Italy 3 – Germany 10
In a make-up game of Thursday’s rainout in which Germany led 7-2, the German squad defeated Italy 10-3 to finish the II 15U Baseball World Cup as the best European team. Niklas Rimmel threw seven innings of one-hit ball. Eight combined runs in the fifth and the sixth provided the necessary run support.
Brazil 6 – Australia 4
Brazil scored four runs in the second en route to a 6-4 win over Australia. The team from Down Under tried to come back, but only managed two runs in the sixth to cut the deficit to two. Gustavo Roque drove in three. Mauro Tanaka earned the win in relief. Flynn Stallworthy took the loss.
Germany 8 – Argentina 10
BOX SCORE
Germany had to play a second game on Friday, which they lost 8-10 to Argentina. Germany erased an early 0-5 deficit and led 7-6 after five innings. But a three-run sixth for Argentina was the game-winner. Martin Cruz pitched 4 2/3 innings in relief and went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs and three RBI at the plate.
Australia 12 – Italy 8
BOX SCORE
Australia edged out Italy 12-8 in their second games of the day. Australia used a pair of six-run frames to decide the outcome. One wouldn’t have been enough, as the Squadra Azzurri put seven runs on the board in the third. Mitchell Edwards collected three RBI. Jordan Busch got the win, Davide Novello the loss.
Japan 6 – Brazil 0
BOX SCORE
Japan shut out Brazil 6-0 in the evening game in Group E. Taisei Chiwata, Ren Hirashima and Masato Owada combined to issue just seven hits and two walks in nine scoreless innings. Two runs apiece in the first, second and fifth innings provided the run support. Igor Kimura got charged with the loss.
(13th to 18th)
South Africa 11 – Lithuania 5
South Africa got its first win of the tournament with an 11-5 victory over Lithuania. Five runs in the second provided an early cushion. Eight different players crossed the plate for the African representative at the World Cup. Keino Davids received the win, Mindaukas Strimaitis the loss.
Hong Kong 9 – Guatemala 12
Guatemala celebrated an exciting 12-9 win over Hong Kong. The Asian team looked like the winner, leading 9-2 after seven innings. But Guatemala put nine runs on the board in the top of the eighth en route to the victory. It was their third win in Group F play.
New Zealand 4 – Czech Republic 15
The Czech Republic improved to 4-0 in the second round with a 15-4 blowout over New Zealand. Seven runs in the third turned a close game into a lopsided win. Dan Ondrousek and Marek Chlup each scored four runs. Ondrej Furko pitched 7 1/3 innings for the win and drove in four at the plate. Anthony Moanaroa-Taylor took the loss.