South Africa 003 000 004 7 9 0 New Zealand 000 000 001 1 3 3
South Africa won the opener of the World Baseball Classic Qualifier at Blacktown Sports Park in Sydney on Thursday afternoon. They defeated New Zealand 7-1 thanks to a strong pitching performance by Dylan Unsworth, a prospect of the Seattle Mariners. Three runs in the third and four in the ninth decided the outcome.
Unsworth, who was set for an 85-pitch count conceded only two hits in eight scoreless innings, while striking out four. 59 of his 89 pitches were strikes.
His offense gave him an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third, when Brett Willemburg drove in Jonathan Phillips with a single and Kyle Botha and Willemburg scored on a wild pitch and throwing error by New Zealand’s catcher Connar O’Gorman.
The score remained the same until the ninth. South Africa struck again, scoring four times, twice on a single by Keegan Swanepoel. New Zealand meanwhile only was able to avoid the shutout thanks to a bases loaded walk by Boss Moanaroa in the bottom of the ninth.
New Zealand now already faces elimination, as they will take on the loser of Thursday’s evening matchup between Australia and the Philippines on Friday. South Africa will take on the winner with hopes to reach the final with a win.
Only the winner of the WBC Qualifier advances to the main tournament of the World Baseball Classic in March 2017.