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XVIII Men's Softball World Cup 2024 - Group A - Official Payoff
WBSC Men's Softball World Cup 2024 Group A - Day 3: Venezuela beat Dominican Republic, both confirmed in Sunday's final; Philippines stun Mexico, Australia win in extras
14/06/2024 5 Minute Read

WBSC Men's Softball World Cup 2024 Group A - Day 3: Venezuela beat Dominican Republic, both confirmed in Sunday's final; Philippines stun Mexico, Australia win in extras

Behind a great pitching performance by 18-year-old Jehanz Coro, the Philippines beat Mexico, 3-1, at Fernando Ortiz Stadium and earned their first win of the tournament. The Player of the Day Coro (pictured second from left) went the distance giving up only three hits, one run and three walks, while striking out five.

With one day remaining in the Opening Round at the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group A in Hermosillo, Mexico, Venezuela (4-0) and Dominican Republic (3-1) clinched their spots in the final of the group on Sunday and will play each other with a ticket to next year's Finals at stake. Both teams will have double chance to advance, as the loser of this game will play against the winner between the third and fourth place finishers.

The battle for the final two spots in the playoffs will be decided on Saturday, with defending world champions Australia (2-2), Philippines (1-2), Mexico (1-3) and Czechia (0-3) still in the race. 

In the first game of the day at the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group A, the Philippines defeated hosts Mexico, 3-1, in a tightly contested match. In the second game, Venezuela only needed five innings to down Czechia, 11-2, and remain undefeated in the competition. Australia beat Mexico, 6-1, in eight innings with back to back homers by Mark Harris and James Todhunter. Jack Besgrove went the distance. While in the final game of the day Venezuela beat Dominican Republic 5-0.

The Philippines stunned Mexico, 3-1, behind 18-year-old Jehanz Coro's great pitching performance at Fernando Ortiz stadium, that helped their first win of the tournament. Coro went the distance giving up only three hits, one run and three walks, while striking out five. Mark Sarmiento was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.

Whit this key win, Philippines' record is now 1-2, and will close the Opening Round with a doubleheader, playing Venezuela and Czechia. They are still in the hunt for a spot in the playoffs.

Venezuela scored in all their four at bats, including two big innings in the first and second, to get their third win of the tournament. The South Americans defeated Czechia, 11-2, in five innings of play.

Engelbert Herrera went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while David Galeno went 1-for-2 with three RBIs and two runs scored. From the circle, Eudomar Toyo pitched three innings in relief and earned the win.

Australia earned a much needed win against Mexico, 6-1 in eight innings. Jack Besgrove and Carlos Parra engaged in a pitching duel that went into the eighth inning, when the Mexican pitcher allowed a single by Callum Beashel to bring in the go ahead run. Parra was replaced by Arturo Valdez, who served back to back homers to Mark Harris and James Todhunter.

Besgrove struck out 15 in eight innings pitched, while allowing eight hits and one run. He earned the win. Parra worked 7+ innings with 10 strikeouts, eight hits, four runs and four walks. He was the losing pitcher.

Luis Osorio homered and Maiker Pimentel pitched a complete game shutout to lift Venezuela over Dominican Republic, 5-0. With this result, both teams secured a spot in the first vs second game in the playoff, with the winner moving to the Finals.

Pimentel allowed four hits while striking out 13. He has collected three wins in the tournament, with two complete games, 19.1 innings pitched and 35 strikeouts. He hasn't allowed a run in the event.

Dominican Republic 0 - 5 Venezuela - Box score

Bottom 6th - Rogelio Sequera added one with an RBI single to plate Angel Adames. The second baseman had reached with an infield hit. Venezuela lead 5-0.

Bottom 2nd - A Luis Osorio home run gave Venezuela the lead against Dominican Republic.

Pregame - The last game will see the only two undefeated teams (at the beginning of the day) going face to face. The Dominican Republic (3-0), aim to continue their impressive winning streak, in their quest to qualify in one of the top two spots in the Opening Round. Venezuela will complete their doubleheader against the Dominicans.

They played for the last time in a World Cup in 2015. The Dominican Republic claimed the win, 4-0. 

2024 Men's Softball World Cup Group A - Game 11 - DOM vs VEN

Australia 6 - 1 Mexico - Box score

Top 8th - Callum Seashell hit an RBI single to give Australia the lead. Then Mark Harris (three-runs) and captain James Todhunter connected back to back homers to extend the Aussies' lead to 6-1.

Bottom 7th - A clutch RBI double by Jesus Cardona ties the game. We go to extras.

Top 6th - Jack Burt connects a line drive double to the right centre field gap, to drive in Mar Harris and break the tie. Australia took the lead.

Game was still scoreless after three innings. Jack Besgrove tallied eight strikeouts, giving up two hits; while Carlos Parra has five Ks and four hits allowed.

Pregame - In the night, at 20:00 local time, Mexico will complete their double header facing Australia (1-2). A good result will put the winner of this game in a great position to advance to the playoffs. Australia had to battle to get their first win of the tournament against the Philippines, and then they lost to Dominican Republic, 4-1.

The last time Mexico and Australia played in a World Cup was on 2 July 2015, in Whitehorse, Canada. Mexico earned a 10-3 victory in five innings.

2024 Men's Softball World Cup Group A - Game 10 - AUS vs MEX

Czechia 2 - 11 Venezuela - Box score

Venezuela added one in the third, with Angel Adames crossing the plate on a passed ball; and one in the fourth on a solo shot by Engerlbert Herrera. Venezuela led 11-2.

Bottom 2nd - A three-run homer from David Galeno and a triple off the bat of Engelbert Herrera highlight a five-run rally for Venezuela, extending the lead to 9-2.

Top 2nd - Martin Turek walked and Martin Magula doubled to put two runners in scoring position. They both scored on a throwing error. The game had the score of 4-2.

Bottom 1st - Venezuela used six hits, including a two run single by Rafael Flores, to score four for an early lead.

Pregame - The second game of the day will see Czechia (0-2) facing Venezuela (2-0). The European Champions are running out of time. With no wins in their first two games, they must win this game to close the gap with the rest of the teams, and remain in contention until the last Opening Round day, when they face a double header. On the other hand, Venezuela will play two games trying to clinch their spot in the playoffs. The game will start at 18:00 at Mundialistas Hermosillenses.

Their last game was also in 2019, on 22 June, for the Placement Round. Venezuela got a 7-0 win in five innings. 

2024 Men's Softball World Cup Group A - Game 9 - CZE vs VEN

Philippines 3 - 1 Mexico - Box score

Top 7th - The Philippines score an insurance run on a passed ball. Mark Sarmiento hit a lead-off single, and moved to second on a single from Denmark Bathan. Reached third base on a fielder's choice, and scored on a passed ball.

After five complete innings, young Jehanz Coro pitched a great game. He allowed two hits and one run, while striking out three, holding the 2-1 lead.

Bottom 3rd - Edgar Lopez put Mexico on the scoreboard. With Jonathan Cardona in second base, connecting a single up the middle to make it 2-1.

Top 2nd - The Philippines took the lead with a pair of runs. Melvin de Castro doubled to the right field line, and two passed balls allowed him to score the first run of the game. Mark Sarmiento drove in the second run with a single to right field. Philippines is in front, 2-0.

Pregame - Philippines (0-2) and Mexico (1-1) will collide in the first game of the day, with both teams needing a win to remain in the race for the playoffs. Philippines will come to the ballpark with good feelings, after playing a solid game yesterday against Australia, holding the lead until the fifth inning. Mexico lost their last night's game against Venezuela, 5-3. The Mexican squad just didn't hit the ball against the Venezuelan staff, collecting only three hits in the game, two of them solo homers. They will have a double header, so they need to bounce back against the Philippines, to face Australia, in the night game, with a winning record. First pitch is scheduled at 17:00 local time at Fernando Ortiz.

The last time they played each other in a World Cup was on 20 June 2019 in Prague, with a 12-2 win for Mexico in four innings. 

2024 Men's Softball World Cup Group A - Game 8: PHI vs MEX

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