Jonathan Lynch homers, Marco Diaz stars as USA top Guatemala

Jonathan Lynch homered, driving in three runs, while Marco Diaz pitched four scoreless innings to guide USA to a 7-0 run-rule victory over Guatemala in five innings at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Group C in Devon Park - OGE Energy Field in Oklahoma City, USA, on Wednesday. Both teams entered the game undefeated after Day 1, but the USA came out on top against the Central American squad.

Diego Morales started strong for Guatemala, pitching a perfect first inning, but faltered in the second, giving up three runs. Cameron Schiller, Jeffrey Lewis (on a grounder to first), and Jonathan Lynch opened the frame with three consecutive singles to bring in the game's first run. Nick Mullins added another with a sac fly to right field, and Zach Shaw drove in the third with a single to centre.

In the following inning, Guatemala's defence stepped up, with Manuel Hernandez making a perfect throw to cut down Cameron Schiller at home, while another runner was caught at third, preventing further damage.

In the top of the fourth, the USA added two more runs. Morales hit two consecutive batters to start the inning, prompting a pitching change. Gian Paolo Ferrari came in to relieve him, but couldn’t prevent the two runners from scoring—one on a sac fly and the other on a passed ball—making it 5-0. Morales exited after 3.1 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits, with two walks and one strikeout. He took the loss for Guatemala.

The USA struck again in the top of the fifth. Cameron Schiller doubled to the right-field corner, followed by a two-run homer from Jonathan Lynch, extending the lead to 7-0.

Marco Diaz delivered another stellar performance, pitching four innings, allowing just two hits and one walk, while striking out eight to earn the win. Nineteen-year-old Cody Gibbons, who helped the USA secure fourth place in the U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup 2023, made his official senior team debut, pitching a perfect inning and striking out two.

With the win, the USA improved to 2-0 and will finish the day with a game against the Netherlands. Guatemala move to Thursday's play with a 1-1 record.