Nicaragua 000 020 020 03 7 8 0 Czech Republic 300 010 000 02 6 7 4
Two days after coming back twice and winning in extra innings against Germany, Nicaragua also celebrated a comeback win in overtime against the second European contestant at the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Mexicali. Nicaragua won 7-6 on Saturday evening after trailing 0-3 and 2-4 at certain points in the game. With the victory Nicaragua advances to the finals, facing Mexico on Sunday, while the Czech Republic has to go home with a third-place finish. They had eliminated Germany on Friday.
The Czech team got off to a strong start against Nicaragua. Jakub Malik connected for a three-run home run in the first. Nicaragua cut the deficit to a run in the fifth, but the Czech Republic added insurance in the bottom half of the same frame. This was not enough, as Nicaragua once again found some late magic. After tying the game against Germany in the ninth, they did it this time in the eight.
In the 11th they took advantage of the extra inning rule and plated three runs. The Czech then had one last opportunity. They quickly loaded the bases with no out. A bases loaded walk and a RBI fielder’s choice at second got them within a run. But with the tying run on third both Tomas Junec and Petr Sila struck out swinging to end the game.