After several tantalizing performances in the Under-12 Baseball World Cup, Czech Republic finally broke through on the fifth day of play, putting crooked numbers on the scoreboard twice against South Africa in a complete effort. Meanwhile, Germany was tasked with facing Cuba. None of the three will factor into the Super Round, for which the pool almost settled.
After a scoreless first, Czech Republic pounced on South Africa, with a double from Lev Procházka and a RBI-single from Denis Rambousek helping the Central Europeans to a five-run frame. After adding a single run in the fourth, the young Czech Baseball squad added eight in the fifth. Jakub Kubát doubled to start things off and crossed home shortly thereafter, later hitting a two-run single for the final runs of the inning. Rambousek and Jiří Dostál joined Kubát with two-hit games, while Jan Lukšíček drove in three from the bench.
Four Czech pitchers toed the rubber in the 14-0 victory, with Jeroným Bartulík starting things off with five strikeouts in two hitless innings. Filip Jelínek added three more Ks in two scoreless frames. Evan Grobler broke up the no-no with a single in the fourth inning.
In the second game of the day, Cuba steadily chipped away against German pitching, but the Deutschland Baseball offense could not break through, eventually scoring a single run in the game’s final inning in a 7-1 defeat.
The day started with another no-hitter, the fifth of the 2025 U12 Baseball World Cup. Japan set down Australia 15-0 in the four-inning affair, maintaining its perfect record. The other Group A game was a thriller, with Mexico scoring two in the first and three in the second against Taiwan, with the latter immediately answering with five of its own. The game would then remain tied until the bottom of the sixth, when Taiwan plated the winning run on an error, an intention walk, and back-to-back hit by pitches.
In other Group B games, the U.S. used a big fourth inning to survive a determined D.R., winning 7-4. And, in the final game, South Korea walked a tightrope against Panamá, collecting only two hits, but stringing together just enough runs to win, 4-2.
The result of the see-saw affair between Mexico and Taiwan did not affect the Super Round draw, with both teams having already qualified, where they will join Japan. Meanwhile, South Korea, U.S.A., and the Dominican Republic move through from Group B. The remaining teams, which include the representatives from Europe, Africa, and Oceania, will enter the Consolation Round.
Group A Standings
Japan: 4-0
Taiwan: 4-1
Mexico: 3-1
Australia: 1-3
Cuba: 1-3
Germany: 0-5
Group B Standings
South Korea: 5-0
U.S.A.: 4-1
Dominican Republic: 3-2
Panamá: 2-3
Czech Republic: 1-4
South Africa: 0-5
For more on the U12 Baseball World Cup, see our preview [link], Day 1 results [link], Day 2 results [link], Day 3 results [link], and Day 4 results [link].