South Africa surge with six-run second inning to secure fifth place over Netherlands

South Africa recovered from a 4-0 deficit after one inning to defeat Netherlands 8-4 and claim fifth place in Group C at the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup on Saturday in Devon Park – OGE Energy Field, with the African champions exploding for six runs in the top of the second to take control of the game.

Netherlands sent 10 hitters to the plate in the bottom of the first, with four hits and three walks, to take a 4-0 lead. Rachid Engelhardt drove in two, and Forsin Coenraad added one RBI for the European squad.

However, South Africa immediately responded by sending 10 batters of their own, capitalising on three errors and four hits to score six runs and take the lead.

After a rough start, South Africa's pitcher Kagiso Aphane settled in and pitched a complete game, giving up eight hits, four walks, and four runs while striking out eight. He earned the win.

South Africa extended their lead in the top of the sixth with RBI singles from Brandon Bouillon and Tyrone Milne, making it 8-4.

For Netherlands, the losing pitcher was Fransel Meyers, who pitched 1.1 innings, giving up six runs (only one earned) on six hits with a walk and a strikeout.

With this result, South Africa finished fifth in Group C with a 1-5 record, leaving Netherlands in sixth.