After an electric Opening Day at the WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup, with five exciting games and a memorable Opening Ceremony, No. 4 Canada and No. 12 Singapore are ready to open Day 2 of the competition.
Canada vs Singapore 18 - 1 BoxScore New Zealand vs Venezuela 1 - 2 Box Score Colombia vs Australia 1 - 0 Play by play Japan vs Argentina 17:00 Mexico vs Czechia 20:00
Canada defeated Czechia yesterday in their debut, 5-2, with a stellar performance by Sharl Leclerc, who went 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored, and pitched 4.1 innings in relief to get the win. On the other hand, Singapore will try to bounce back from a tough loss against Australia on Day 1. First pitch is scheduled at noon, local time.
With both teams looking for their first win of the tournament, New Zealand and Venezuela will play the first game at the Fernando Ortiz stadium today at 14:00. The Kiwis lost yesterday their opener, against the defending world champions Japan, 10-5, while Venezuela couldn’t hold a 4-1 lead in the fifth inning agains USA and suffered an 8-5 loss.
The second game at Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium will be between Colombia and Australia at 15:00. The green and gold team needed four innings to clinch their first win against Singapore, 14-0. Kylan Pearce had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and four runs scored. Colombia made their historic debut in the tournament yesterday against Mexico, in front of an electric crowd, losing 10-0 in four innings.
At 17:00, Japan and Argentina will collide at the Fernando Ortiz Stadium. The Japanese squad topped New Zealand on day 1, 10-5, taking advantage of six defensive errors by the Junior Black Sox. Their rivals today will make their debut in the tournament after having a day off on Saturday.
Host Mexico will take the field again tonight, at 20:00, to face Czechia. The home team made a statement yesterday, scoring 10 runs in four innings in their win over Colombia. Czechia lost in a close game against Canada, 5-2, in the tournament’s opener.
Top 1st - Colombia is on the scoreboard. Rafael Noble hit a lead-off double and scored on a single from clean-up hitter Juan Pablo Luna. The South Americans are in front, 1-0.
After four complete innings, we have a pitching duel at the Fernando Ortiz Stadium. Venezuela's Carlos Pinto has allowed two hits and one run, while striking out three. New Zealand starter Jacob Neale has struck out seven in four innings, giving up only one hit. NEw Zealand still in front, 1-0.
Top 1st - New Zealand strike first. Leadoff hitter Zahr Shaw-Wallace drew a walk stole second base and moved to third on a wild pitch. Moments later, he crossed the plate thanks to a grounder to second from Ciaran Bolger
Canada secured their second win of the tournament in three innings, with an 18-1 win at Mundialistas Hermosillenses stadium. Owen Bilinsky went 3-for-4 from the leadoff spot, scoring three runs while driving in another three.
Nicholas Neid got the win for Canada working three innings, giving up three hits and one run. He struck out six. For Singapore, the losing pitcher was Zi Jenn Looi, the first of four pitchers used by the Asian team.
Canada remain undefeated after two games, on top of the Group A standings. Singapore recorded their second consecutive loss.
Top 2nd – Canada sent eight batters and scored three runs to extend their lead to 8-1. Conner Hopper with the clutch hit of the inning, a two-run single up the middle.
Bottom 1st – Singapore scored their first run of the game and the tournament. Ean Eu led off the game with a single, and immediately after Nayan Chopra brought him in with a triple to left field. The game is 5-1
Top 1st – Canada score big in their first at bat. Adrian Green produced the first run with an RBI single. He scored on a two-run triple from Nolan Bultena, who also crossed the plate on a grounder to shortstop. Conner Hopper hit a double, and then scored on a defensive error.
