Great Britain celebrate first win, Colombia beat South Africa
Day 2 of the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024 Placement Round started with World No. 18 Great Britain earning a historic first-ever win in the tournament against European rivals and No. 7 Netherlands.
No. 11 Colombia defeated No. 31 South Africa in the other morning game.
Standings WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024
| # | Team | W | L | T | PCT | GB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | .800 | 0 |
| 2 |  |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | .800 | 0 |
| 3 |  |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 1 |
| 4 |  |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 1 |
| 5 |  |
| 1 | 4 | 0 | .200 | 3 |
| 6 |  |
| 0 | 5 | 0 | .000 | 4 |
| # | Team | W | L | T | PCT | GB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 0 |
| 2 |  |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 2 |
| 3 |  |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | .600 | 2 |
| 4 |  |
| 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 3 |
| 5 |  |
| 2 | 3 | 0 | .400 | 3 |
| 6 |  |
| 0 | 5 | 0 | .000 | 5 |
| # | Team | W | L | T | PCT | GB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 0 |
| 2 | |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | 1 |
| 2 | |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | 1 |
| 4 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | .333 | 2 |
| 4 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | .333 | 2 |
| 6 | |
| 0 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 3 |
| # | Team | W | L | T | PCT | GB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | .750 | 0 |
| 2 | |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | 0.5 |
| 2 | |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | 0.5 |
| 4 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 | 1 |
| 5 | |
| 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 2 |
| 5 | |
| 1 | 3 | 0 | .250 | 2 |
Tournament Links
Read about the Super Round
A two-run fourth at-bat gave World Great Britain their first and historic U-23 Baseball World Cup. The British defeated the Netherlands 2-1.
The Dutch took the lead in the bottom of the third, when Gedionne Marlin led off with a home run off Zac Sohosky.
The native of Memphis (Tennessee, USA), a sophomore at Rhodes College in NCAA Division III, wouldn't allow another run. He went the distance and struck out nine.
Great Britain reversed the lead in the top of the fourth against reliever Gio De Graauw. The Dutch defense committed an error when Max Viera tried to bunt a runner to second, allowing the first run. The British second baseman advanced to third on the first out and scored on Rayondre Mercer's sacrifice fly.
The Netherlands stranded three runners in the bottom of the seventh. With Ruben Marnix at third and two outs, Sohosky walked Jakey Josepha and Ruendrick Piternella. After a coach visit, he used three pitches to retire Sem Kuijper on a fly to left field and seal the win.
On Saturday, September 14, Great Britain will finish the tournament facing Chinese Taipei. The Netherlands will play Colombia at 10:00. All times are local.
A five-run bottom of the first set the tone, and Colombia outscored South Africa, 12-3, to earn the second win in the U-23 Baseball World Cup.
South Africa's starter, Kevin Costigan, allowed four walks and didn't get a lot of help from his defence in the bottom of the first. Jean Pierre Hinao added a two-RBI single, and Colombia took a 5-0 lead they wouldn't surrender.
Colombia scored 12 runs with only eight hits. First baseman Dario Borrero, left fielder Jorge Porta, and right fielder Andres Villafane enjoyed a two-hit game. Designated hitter Juan Garcia and Villafane had two RBIs.
Starter Manuel Rumbos allowed one hit and two walks over three innings. South Africa got on the scoreboard against David Burgos, who took over in the fourth and could get only an out.
Third baseman Darian Pretorius contributed with a two-run homer. Shortstop Josh November went 2-for-3 and batted in the third South African run.
Carlos Meza relieved Burgos and pitched through the end, earning a win.
On Day 3, South Africa will play Australia, while Colombia will face the Netherlands. Both games are scheduled at 10:00 (local time).
Read Also
- Placement Round Day 1
- Super Round and Placement Round schedules
- Day 5 Recap
- Day 4 Recap
- Day 3 Recap
- Day 2 Recap
- Day 1 Recap
- Pre-Tournament press conference
- Where to watch
- Colombia preview
- Netherlands preview
- Chinese Taipei preview
- Great Britain preview
- Australia preview
- South Africa preview