Nery del Cid, Dennis Hurtarte homer to send Guatemala past Colombia into Repechage Game

Dennis Hurtarte stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the sixth with the game tied at two and sent a 1-1 pitch over the centre field fence, scoring the game-winning run in Guatemala's 3-2 victory over Colombia. With the win, Guatemala advanced to the 19:00 Repechage Game at the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group C on Saturday at Devon Park – OGE Energy Field, with a ticket to the Finals 2025 at stake.

Guatemala struck first with a solo home run by Nery del Cid. The Guatemalan lead-off hitter connected on a 69 mph rise ball on the outside of the plate and sent it over the left field fence for an opposite-field homer, giving his team the lead.

Colombia took the lead in the top of the fourth. Mateo Luna worked a nine-pitch walk, and Aldo Navia drove him in with a first-pitch triple down the right-field line to tie the game. One out later, Jhon Lara singled in the go-ahead run.

In the bottom of the fifth, Guatemala loaded the bases with no outs. Pinch hitter Juan Diego Morales walked, moved to third on a Del Cid single, and Luis Pedro Villeda was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Head coach Wilmer Bustillo brought Elkis Chinchilla into the circle to face Fabian Vizcaino. The Guatemalan catcher grounded to third baseman Mateo Luna, who stepped on the bag to force the runner at third, then assisted to home plate to retire the lead runner and complete a double play. However, Colombia could not escape unscathed, as Gerardo Dacaret drove in the game-tying run with a single to centre field.

In the bottom of the sixth, Hurtarte regained the lead for Guatemala with a no-doubt home run. Hurtarte crushed a 73 mph drop ball, paused to admire the shot, and began jogging up the first-base line with the bat still in hand. After a few steps, he tossed the bat high into the air and rounded the bases.

The top of the seventh was full of drama, as Colombia's Eduardo Cuesta led off with a double, putting the potential tying run in scoring position. He moved to third on a grounder, and then Jorge Segura struck out Hernan Cavadia for the second out. Jeison Anillo followed with a sharp grounder to second base, but Pedro Dieguez made a spectacular diving play to end the game.

Jorge Segura struck out 14 over seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks.

Colombia finished fourth in the group and have been eliminated from the Finals.