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XVIII Men's Softball World Cup 2024 - Group A - Official Payoff
WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group A: Dominican Republic, Australia claim tickets to Finals 2025
16/06/2024 5 Minute Read

WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group A: Dominican Republic, Australia claim tickets to Finals 2025

The Dominican Republic and Australia advanced to the Finals 2025 as the top two teams in Group A. Venezuela, third place, will be in the mix for one of the two wild cards. Mexico finished fourth ahead of Czechia and the Philippines in fifth and sixth respectively.

The Dominican Republic and Australia claimed the two tickets on offer to the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Finals 2025 after winning the all-important WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group A Playoff games in Hermosillo, Mexico on Sunday.

On the tournament's last day, world No. 14 Dominican Republic defeated No. 5 Venezuela, 2-0 in the final to secure their spot in next year's Finals while defending champions and world No. 2 Australia triumphed over No. 9 Mexico and Venezuela with identical 4-1 scores, to earn the second ticket.

Venezuela, who had progressed through pool play unbeaten, finished third to remain in contention for one of the two Finals 2025 wild card spots. Mexico came in fourth, while Czechia clinched fifth place after an eight-inning victory over the Philippines.

After an outstanding performance throughout the tournament, Dominican pitcher Yan Carlos Gonzalez was named WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group A Most Outstanding Player. He posted a 0.81 ERA in 26 innings pitched, striking out 42 opponents. He was the winning pitcher in all four wins of the Dominican Republic, including Sunday's final against Venezuela.

Yan Carlos Gonzalez pitched a gem to send the Dominican Republic to the World Cup Finals 2025. The right-handed pitcher struck out 11, giving un four hits and one walk to lead his team to a historic 2-0 win over Venezuela. 

The Dominicans took the lead early in the game when Jose Reyes, who went 2-for-4, crossed the plate on a bases loaded walk. They added an insurance run in the fifth on a grounder by Juan Arias.

For Venezuela, Maiker Pimentel was charged with the loss after 4.1 innings of work. He was responsible for two runs, whit seven strikeouts.

The Dominican Republic joined hosts Canada as the first squad in the Finals 2025, to be played in Prince Albert, Canada, from 8 to 13 July 2025.

Jack Besgrove had a dominant 16-strikeout outing today leading Australia to a 4-1 win against Mexico. The left-handed went the distance giving up only three hits, one run and one walk. Hayden Mathews homered in the first inning to give his team a 2-0 lead, and Brendon O'Byrne drove in two with a double in the sixth inning. 

Mexican Carlos Parra also had a strong outing this afternoon, striking out 13 in six innings of work. He gave up four hits and four runs. The only Mexican run was produced by Junior Flores, with a single.

With the win, Australia advanced to the Repechage game against Venezuela. Mexico finished Group A in fourth place, and will not play the Finals next year.

Jack Besgrove completed another stellar performance at Fernando Ortiz stadium to lead Australia to a 4-1 win against Venezuela and punch their ticket to next year's Finals. Besgrove went the distance, striking out 16 while allowing two hits and one run. 

Designated player Mark Harris went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored, while Callum Beashel produced one, going 1-for-4 for the game.

For Venezuela, Angel Adames and Luis Osorio were the only players to get a hit. Maiker Pimentel was charged with the loss, after pitching 5.1 innings, allowing four hits and three runs, while striking out seven. 

Combining the two Australia games on Sunday, Besgrove collected 32 strikeouts in 14 innings,

Australia 4 - 1 Venezuela - Box score

Bottom 7th - Luiger Pinto walked, and Engelbert Herrera was hit by a pitch, before Luis Osorio connected an RBI single up the middle. With the potential tying run in the batter's box and two outs, Edinson Marrero hit a long fly ball for the last out of the tournament.

Top 7th - Australia added one more on a wild pitch from Luis Colombo, who relieved Pimentel in the sixth. They lead now 4-0.

Top 6th - Callum Beashell hit a line-drive double into the right centre field gap to plate Scott Patterson from first base. He scored later on a defensive error. Besgrove got some insurance runs with six outs left.

After five complete innings, both teams have collected only one hit. Australian pitcher Jack Besgrove has struck out 12, while Venezuelan Maiker Pimentel has fanned six. Australia still lead 1-0.

Top 2nd - Mark Harris scored the first run for Australia, on a grounder to short stop. He singled to get on base. Australia lead 1-0.

Dominican Republic 2 - 0 Venezuela - Box score

Top 5th - The Dominican Republic added one and are now in front, 2-0. Jose Reyes doubled, moved to third on a passed ball, and later scored on a grounder by Juan Arias. Luis Colombo replaced Maiker Pimentel in the circle. The starter tossed 4.1 inning, allowing four hits and two runs, while striking out seven.

Top 1st - With two outs, Dominican Republic loaded the bases with a pair of singles by Elias Valerio and Juan Arias and a hit by pitch to Mitchell Rodriguez. Then Wilton Robles walked to drive in the first run of the game. After that, Pimentel finished the inning with a strikeout. Dominican Republic is ahead, 1-0.

Pregame - Venezuela and Dominican Republic will play the first game of the Playoffs at Mundialistas Hermosillenses stadium at 17:00. The winner of the game will earn a ticket to the World Cup Finals 2025. Both teams faced each other on Friday, with Venezuela claiming the victory, 5-0.

In 2023 they played for the Opening Round of the Central American and Caribbean Games San Salvador 2023, with a Dominican win over Venezuela, 8-1. In April this year, they faced at the Pan American Championship in Venezuela, with the hosts winning 11-7.

Mexico 1 - 4 Australia - Box score

Bottom 6th - Brendon O'Byrne had a clutch hit. With two outs, the Australian shortstop hit a two-run double to the right field to give his team two insurance runs. The game is now 4-1.

After five complete innings, both Jack Bexgrove and Carlos Parra have collected 11 strikeouts in the game. We have a nice pitching duel at Fernando Ortiz.

Top 4th - With Jesus Cardona in second base, Junior Flores hit a single to right field to put Mexico in the scoreboard with 2-1 for Australia.

Bottom 1st - Hayden Mathews stayed hot. He sent a rise ball well behind the centre field fence for a two-run homer. Australia took the lead. It was Mathews' third homer in the last two games.

Pregame - At Fernando Ortiz Stadium, Australia and Mexico will collide in an elimination game. The winner of this game will earn the right to play for the second ticket to the Finals against the loser between Venezuela and Dominican Republic at 21:00 at Fernando Ortiz, with the loser being eliminated. 

Their Opening Round game was an eight-inning thriller, with the defending World Champions grabbing a 6-1 win. Before that, Mexico and Australia played in the 2015 World Cup in Whitehorse, Canada. Mexico earned a 10-3 victory in five innings.

Czechia and Philippines will play for the fifth place at 20:00 at Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium.

2024 Men's Softball World Cup Group A - Game 17 - MEX vs AUS

Philippines 2 - 3 Czechia - Box score

David Jaluska tied the game in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run, and then in the eighth hit a walk-off RBI single to lift Czechia past Philippines in Game 16.

With the win, Czechia finished in fifth place in Group A, while Philippines ended sixth.

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