Adam Folkard threw Australia’s second no-hitter of the day to beat Argentina 2-1 in nine innings at Albany tonight.
Folkard struck out 17 batters, including three in the bottom of the eighth inning after he threw the ball past first base while fielding a bunt to allow Argentina’s only run.
Mick Tanner batted in Tim Crome for Australia’s winning run in the top of the ninth and Folkard kept his nerve to shut the south Americans out.
“I’ve never seen two no-hitters back to back like that in a playoff,” said Australia’s veteran coach Bob Harrow, who watched Folkard follow the standard set by Andrew Kirkpatrick in the 4-0 win over Japan yesterday.
“Adam was in full control of that game.”
Harrow also hailed Argentina’s pitchers Lucas Mata and Maximiliano Montero, who held Australia to two hits, in “a classic ball game”.
Argentina’s tournament is over but Venezuela is now assured of becoming the first South American team to win a world championship medal.
They play Australia at 10am today with the final at 1pm.