WBSC Men's Softball World Cup 2024 Group A - Day 1: Pimentel guides Venezuela to win over Australia; two homers lift Dominican Republic over Philippines. Mexico earn five-inning win against Czechia

With an exciting Group A Opening Day, the WBSC XVIII Men’s Softball World Cup started today in Hermosillo, Mexico. In Game 1 of the competition, Venezuela defeated Australia, 7-0, with a very strong performance from Maiker Pimentel. At Mundialistas Hermosillenses stadium, the Dominican Republic started on the right foot beating Philippines, 5-2, in a very important game. In Game 3, hosts Mexico earned a key win over Czechia, 7-0, in five innings, in front of a sellout crowd at Fernando Ortiz.

Pimentel tossed an absolute gem in Game 1 of the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group A to lead Venezuela to a 7-0 win over Australia. The right-handed pitcher pitched the complete game, giving up three hits and one walk, against 12 strikeouts. In addition, he displayed his athleticism making two spectacular defensive plays. 

After this impressive performance, Pimentel was named the Player of the Day.

A great pitching performance by Yan Carlos Gonzalez lifted the Dominican Republic to their first Men's Softball World Cup win in seven years. The Caribbean squad defeated Philippines, 5-2, in Game 2 of the competition.

Gonzalez pitched seven quality innings, striking out 13 while giving up six hits and one run. Jonni Suriel was responsible for the Philippines' second run. Juan Arias and Pablo Figuereo homered for the Dominican squad.

For the Philippines, Jehanz Coro was charged with the loss. The 18-year-old pitcher worked four innings, allowing five hits and five runs, with seven Ks.

In the last game of the day, Mexico put together a strong offensive performance with 11 hits and seven runs in five innings of play. Carlos Parra tossed four scoreless innings with two hits and six strikeouts. Jordan Solorio carried the offence with a homer and four RBIs in the game.

Mexico 7-0 Czechia

Top 5th - A two-run single from Jordan Solorio and a run-scoring single by Christian Del Valle gave Mexico a seven-run lead .

Top 3rd - Mexico scored two to take the lead. Christian del Valle and Abelardo Peñuelas singled, and moved to scoring position after a passed ball. Mexico's first run was scored on a perfectly executed squeeze play, with Carlos Menchaca bunting, and pinch runner Jesus Jonathan Cardona scoring. A few pitches later, Peñuelas crossed the plate on an infield hit.

Mexico and Czechia sent in two young arms to the circle for Game 3 of the Group A. Mexico fielded 17-year-old Carlos Parra, who pitched the Mexican team to the silver medal at the U-18 Men's Softball World Cup last year, in the same Fernando Ortiz Stadium. On the other hand, Czechia handed the ball to 21-year-old Jakub Osicka, who was the star of the 2020 U-18 team that won the country's first medal in a Men's Softball World Cup.

After the spectacular Opening Ceremony, hosts and No. 9 Mexico will meet No. 6 Czechia with an expected sellout crowd at Fernando Ortiz Stadium. The last time these two teams played in a Men's Softball World Cup was at Svoboda park in Prague, when the hosts walked-off Mexico, 3-2, in an extra-inning drama. Michal Holobradek, who is in Czechia's this year roster, pitched the eight innings for the winners, striking out 13.

The starting time is 20:45 local time.

Venezuela 7-0 Australia

Luiger Pinto went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, while David Galeno went 3-for-4 with three runs scored.

Top 7th - Venezuela bagged three more in the top of the seventh. David Galeno with the RBI single, and Luiger Pinto with a two-run homer gave Pimentel and Venezuela a 7-0 lead. 

Top 6th - The Venezuelans used three hits to double their lead over Australia, 4-0. David Galeno and Luiger Pinto opened the inning with back to back singles, and later scored on a passed ball and a line-drive double to centre field from Engelbert Herrera.

Top 4th - Venezuela made some damage in their fourth attack. Rafael Flores and Luis Osorio hit back to back RBI singles that gave the South Americans a two-run lead.

3rd inning - A pitching duel emerged between Pimentel and Besgrove after three. The Venezuelan right-hander delivered six strikeouts, while giving up two hits; with the Australian lefty tallied five Ks, with no hits and one walk, leading to a scoreless game.

1st inning - Game 1 of the World Cup Group A went underway. Both aces, Jack Besgrove (AUS) and Maiker Pimentel (VEN) were in the circle for the tournament opener, providing great entertainment at Fernando Ortiz stadium.

Game 1 saw the top-two ranked teams in the Group A going head to head, with the World Champions and World No. 2 Australia taking on No. 5 Venezuela in a key game, hoping to get one of the top two places in the Opening Round. 

The last time these two teams met was on 28 November 2022, for the Opening Round of the World Cup in Auckland. Australian superstar Jack Besgrove tossed a no-hitter with 14 strikeouts, to lift the Oceania team over Venezuela, 6-0.

Dominican Republic 5-2 Philippines

Bottom 4th - Justine Rosales drove in the Philippines first run of the tournament with a double to right field. In the same play, John Lucas was thrown out at home plate. DOM 5-1 PHI.

Top 4th - A four-run rally, capped by a two-run homer from Pablo Figuereo that gave the Dominicans the lead 5-0.

After three innings, Dominican Yan Carlos Gonzalez allowed one hit, while striking out seven. His team held a 1-0 lead over Philippines.

Top 2nd - Juan Arias gave the Dominican Republic the early lead with a no-doubter. The Caribbean team struck first. DOM 1-0 PHI

1st inning - Game 2 has began at Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium. Yan Carlos Gonzalez, 36, faced youngster Jehanz Coro, 18, as veteran Gonzalez has twice the age of his younger Filipino counterpart.

On the other hand, Game 2 featured No. 14 Dominican Republic and No. 15 Philippines. The two lowest ranked teams in the group needed a win on day one to improve their chances to make the playoffs. It is the first time these two teams have played each other in a Men's Softball World Cup.

The game started at 16:00, and will be the only one at Mundialistas Hermosillenses stadium.