NZ finish second in team pool play
Australia and Japan will enter the super round of the under-18 softball World Cup in the box seat, while New Zealand wrapped up the second seeding in group B as the opening round of the tournament concluded at Colquhoun Park, Palmerston North.
Despite an early home run from Nicholai Andersen, New Zealand managed to weather the storm, with a nine-run inning breaking the back of the Danish team to win 13-4 on Wednesday night. Elijah Mataira led New Zealand with three hits, while Dallas Clifton picked up three runs batted in.
Hunter Simpson composed himself after giving up an early homer to Andersen, pitching all five innings, striking out seven and conceding four hits.
New Zealand were to face the Czech Republic last night in their first super round encounter.
Japan are the form team so far, combining high-quality offence with a near impenetrable defence.
The Japanese pitchers surrendered a mere five runs in six opening round games, while scoring 54.
In their final opening round game, the Japanese team brushed aside the United States 10-0. The US will play for seventh place in the next four days.
Australia also came out of the opening round unscathed, dismantling South Africa 21-1 to win their fifth consecutive game.
Captain Riley James and Josh Banks have been two of Australia’s best offensively, while the pitchers have surrendered eight earned runs in 25 innings.
Guatemala are one of the stories of the tournament so far, as they qualified for the super round.
This is only the second time Guatemala have appeared at the under-18 tournament and, led by captain and starting pitcher Juan Morales, they collected wins over the US, Denmark and Mexico in the opening round.
Guatemala beat Mexico 4-3 on Wednesday.
The Czech Republic also remain in contention for the major prize, as they beat Singapore 6-3 on Wednesday morning.
Adam Buchner’s third home run in as many days and a dominant relief outing from Jakub Osicˇka sealed the Czechs’ place in the top six.
Argentina beat Canada 10-0 to lock in the No 2 seed spot in group A.
Franco Godoy nailed a homer and led his team with three runs batted in, while Franco Saenz dominated the Canadian lineup, striking out five in four shut-out innings.
There are three days of the super round and the top two sides qualify for the final on Sunday.
Elijah Mataira led New Zealand with three hits, while Dallas Clifton picked up three runs batted in.