7th Inning Heroics by Castillo, Ratliff, Dudley propel USA into Elite Eight at WBSC World
There were intermittent showers throughout the day at the WBSC Men’s World Championship in Whitehorse Yukon, including a 90 minute rain delay in the middle of the USA/South Africa game.
But the biggest part of the storm struck in the bottom of the 7th inning, when the USA overcame a 3-0 deficit with thunderous home runs from Kevin Castillo, who cut the lead to 3-1 with a solo shot, and Matt Ratliff tied the game with a two run shot. The thunder was followed by lightning, a walk-off base hit by Tyler Dudley in the 8th inning tie breaker.
Tony Mancha tossed a 3 hitter, striking out 19 (no typo) in the process, to earn Player of the Game honors.
The USA finished pool play with a 5-2 record, and nabbed the 4th spot in their pool, advancing to the eight team Championship round that begins play today. The USA missed the cut for the championship round in 2015 in Saskatoon by one game. They will face Venezuela, who finished 6-1, and is unbeaten on the field. (their only loss, a forfeit to Japan, due to travel difficulties causing them to arrive late)
The game is set at 2:00 p.m. today (Friday, July 14, 2017), and will be live streamed at www.worldsoftball.tv.