World No. 2 Australia and No. 8 New Zealand faced off on Monday in a three-game series, tuning up together for the upcoming WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Finals 2025, to be played in Prince Albert, Canada, from 8 to 13 July. The current world champions took the series decider, 11-1 in five innings, and clinched the series in Canberra.
Game one was a thriller. Both teams strung together three consecutive three-run innings to start the game, making it 9-9 after three. However, a two-out passed ball in the top of the sixth allowed Australia to score the game-winning run, en route to a 10-9 victory in Game 1 of the series.
In Game 2, New Zealand recovered from an early 2-0 deficit to clinch an 8-5 win over the host team. Australia loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh, putting the potential game-winning run at the batter's box, but left-handed pitcher Liam Potts struck put Jarrod Bradbury to end the game.
The series decider was a one-sided game, with Australia taking an 11-1 victory in five innings. Jack Besgrove pitched the complete game for the World Champions, who scored seven runs in the bottom of the fourth. New Zealand's only run was a solo homer by Dante Makea Matakatea in the top of the fourth.
The eight teams for the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Finals 2025 were confirmed earlier this year after 57 games in the Group Stage. Australia and New Zealand will face No. 1 Argentina, No. 3 Canada, No. 4 Japan, No. 5 Venezuela, No. 7 USA, and No. 14 Dominican Republic in their quest to win the world title.
In the U-23 series, also played on Monday, New Zealand swept Australia with 3-1, 12-3 and 3-2 wins.
