Six-Run Second Propels South Africa Past Netherlands in Battle for Fifth

The African champions clawed back from a deficit to break their winless streak, securing an 8-4 victory to claim fifth place in Group C at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup on Saturday in Devon Park – OGE Energy Field.

Game Highlights

• Netherlands took an early 4-0 lead in the first inning, sending 10 batters to the plate.
• South Africa responded with a massive six-run second inning, taking advantage of three Netherlands errors.
• Kagiso Aphane pitched a complete game for South Africa, striking out eight and earning the win.
• South Africa extended their lead to 8-4 in the sixth inning with RBI singles from Brandon Bouillon and Tyrone Milne.

Key Performances

South Africa:

• Kagiso Aphane: Complete game, 8 strikeouts, 6 hits, 4 walks, 4 runs
• Brandon Bouillon: 2-for-4, 2 RBIs
• Tyrone Milne: 1-for-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB

Netherlands:

• Rachid Engelhardt: 1-for-3, 2 RBIs
• Forstine Coenraad: 1-for-3, 1 RBI
• Fransel Meyers (L): 1.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 1 SO

Tournament Implications

With this victory, South Africa finished fifth in Group C with a 1-5 record, while Netherlands ended in sixth place. The win marks South Africa’s first in the tournament, breaking their winless streak and ending their campaign on a high note.

Guatemala Edges Out Colombia 3-2 in Thrilling Contest

In a closely fought battle at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup in Oklahoma City, Guatemala emerged victorious with a 3-2 win over Colombia. The game showcased stellar pitching performances and timely hitting from both sides.

Game Highlights

• Guatemala’s Nery Arnoldo Jr. Del Cid Natareno opened the scoring with a solo home run in the 3rd inning.
• Colombia responded in the 4th inning with two runs, taking a 2-1 lead on RBIs from Aldo Navia and Jhon Lara.
• Dennis Hurtarte tied the game for Guatemala with a solo home run in the 5th inning.
• Gerardo Dacaret Martinolli drove in the winning run for Guatemala in the 6th inning with an RBI single.

Key Performances

Guatemala:

• Jorge Francisco Segura Bonilla: Complete game victory, 14 strikeouts, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks
• Nery Arnoldo Jr. Del Cid Natareno: 3-for-3, HR, RBI
• Dennis Hurtarte: 1-for-3, HR, RBI

Colombia:

• Ramiro Rafael Escorcia Martinez: 5.0 IP, 3 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts
• Aldo Navia: 1-for-3, 3B, RBI
• Jhon Lara: 1-for-3, RBI

Turning Point

The game turned in Guatemala’s favor in the 6th inning when Gerardo Dacaret Martinolli’s RBI single broke the 2-2 tie, giving Guatemala the lead they would not relinquish.

What’s Next

This victory bolsters Guatemala’s position in the tournament, sending it to the Repachage game against Japan, with a berth to next year’s World Cup on the line.

USA Dominates Japan 10-0 in Four-Inning Blowout

The game was effectively over after the first inning as the United States overwhelmed Japan with a nine-run outburst, setting the stage for a convincing 10-0 victory in just four innings at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup in Oklahoma City.

Game Highlights

• USA’s explosive first inning included a three-run triple by Jeffrey Michael Lewis and a two-run single by Tyler James Johnson.
• Zachary Shaw hit a solo home run in the third inning to extend USA’s lead to 10-0.
• Marco Diaz pitched a complete game shutout for USA, allowing only three hits while striking out five in four innings.
• Japan’s pitching struggled, with starter Hiroki Ikeda lasting only 0.1 innings and giving up eight runs.

Key Performances

USA:

• Jeffrey Michael Lewis: 1-for-1, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 R, BB, HBP
• Erick Ochoa: 3-for-3, RBI, R
• Zachary Shaw: 1-for-1, HR, RBI, 2 R, BB
• Marco Diaz: 4.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 SO

Japan:

• Kotaro Yasumi: 1-for-2
• Kazuya Toriyama: 1-for-2, SO
• Yusuke Morita: 1-for-2

Turning Point

The game was decided in the bottom of the first inning when USA sent 13 batters to the plate, scoring nine runs and forcing Japan to use two pitchers. This overwhelming start effectively sealed the game for the United States.

What’s Next

With the victory, the USA has punched its ticket to next year’s World Cup. Meanwhile, Japan will have to regroup in the Repechage game that follows, against Guatemala, which is coming off a win against Columbia. The winner of the Repechage will join the USA in next year’s World Cup.

Japan Secures 3-0 Victory Over Guatemala in Tight Contest

In a closely fought game, Japan emerged victorious with a 3-0 win over Guatemala. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 4th inning when Japan’s offense came alive.

The turning point came when Koki Sato stepped up to the plate as a pinch hitter. Sato delivered a clutch performance, smashing a three-run homer to deep center field that brought home Kaito Masaki and Kazuya Toriyama. This decisive hit proved to be the difference-maker in the game.

On the mound, Japan’s starting pitcher Hiroki Ikeda had an outstanding game. Ikeda pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out nine batters over seven innings. His dominant performance kept the Guatemalan offense at bay throughout the contest.

For Guatemala, Jorge Francisco Segura Bonilla put in a solid effort on the mound, pitching six innings and recording six strikeouts. However, the three-run homer in the 4th inning proved costly.

Offensively, Guatemala struggled to generate momentum. Nery Arnoldo Jr. Del Cid Natareno, Luis Pedro Villeda Mendizabal, and Gerardo Dacaret Martinolli each managed to record a hit, but the team couldn’t string together enough offense to score.

The win in the repechage game clinched second place in the Group C qualifier for Japan, who will join first place USA at next year’s WBSC World Cup in Prince Albert Canada.