Final Day of Pool Play, Playoffs Saturday

Date	Game #	Winner	Score	Loser
9/20/2024	12	Guatemala (3-1)	10 – 3	Netherlands (1-5)
9/20/2024	13	Japan (3-1)	4 – 0	Guatemala (3-2)
9/20/2024	14	Japan (4-1)	8 – 1	Colombia (2-3)

Game 12 – Guatemala 10, Netherlands 3

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
NED	0	1	1	1	0	0	3	6	1
GUA	0	1	4	0	4	1	10	12	2

Guatemala Dominates Netherlands in 10-3 Victory

In a commanding performance, Guatemala (GUA) secured a decisive 10-3 victory over the Netherlands (NED) in their latest tournament matchup. The game, played under cloudy skies and a comfortable 27°C in Oklahoma City, showcased Guatemala’s offensive firepower and solid pitching.

The star of the game was undoubtedly Guatemala’s Fabian Esteban Vizcaino Chinchilla, who had an outstanding performance at the plate. Vizcaino Chinchilla went 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs, and three runs scored. His stellar play was crucial in Guatemala’s offensive onslaught.

Guatemala’s offense came alive in the third inning, erupting for four runs to take control of the game. Luis Pedro Villeda Mendizabal started the rally with an RBI double, followed by Vizcaino Chinchilla’s first home run of the game, a two-run shot to deep left field.

The Netherlands struggled to generate consistent offense against Guatemala’s pitching. Their lone bright spot came from Rachid Engelhardt, who hit a solo home run in the second inning. Dyron Juaquin and Anthony Beaumont also contributed with RBI singles for the Dutch team.

On the mound, Jorge Francisco Segura Bonilla earned the win for Guatemala, pitching 2.1 perfect innings in relief with four strikeouts. The Netherlands’ starter, Jair Frits Patrick Thompson, took the loss after giving up five runs in 2.1 innings of work.

This victory improves Guatemala’s record in the tournament and showcases their potential as a strong contender. The Netherlands will look to regroup and bounce back in their next game.

Final Score: Guatemala 10, Netherlands 3

Game 13 – Japan 4, Guatemala 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Guatemala	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Japan	0	1	0	1	0	2	x	4	4	0

Japan Secures Spot in Top Playoff with 4-0 Victory over Guatemala

In a pivotal game of the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2024 – Group C, Japan secured a convincing 4-0 victory over Guatemala. This win propels Japan to a 4-1 record, clinching a spot in tomorrow’s 1 vs. 2 playoff game. Meanwhile, Guatemala drops to 3-2 and will play as the 3rd place team against 4th place Colombia in the next round.

Japan’s starter, Hiroki Ikeda, delivered a masterful performance on the mound. Ikeda went the distance, pitching a complete game shutout while allowing just four hits and one walk. His command was impeccable, as he struck out 10 Guatemalan batters over seven innings, posting an impressive 0.00 ERA for the game.

The Japanese offense was led by Kaito Masaki, who had a stellar day at the plate. Masaki went 2-for-2 with a home run, two runs scored, and an RBI. His solo shot in the bottom of the fourth inning broke a scoreless tie and gave Japan the lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Japan’s patience at the plate was evident, as they drew seven walks throughout the game. Tei Hamamoto, despite going hitless, contributed with two walks and an RBI. Kotaro Yasumi added a hit and executed a crucial sacrifice bunt, while Ryuji Okawa drove in a run with a timely single.

Guatemala’s offense struggled to gain traction against Ikeda’s dominant pitching. Fabian Vizcaino, Gerardo Dacaret, and Luis Villeda each managed a hit, but the team couldn’t string together enough offense to pose a serious threat.

Guatemala’s starting pitcher, Jorge Segura, put up a valiant effort, striking out seven over four innings. However, he ultimately took the loss after allowing two runs on three hits and three walks. Gian Ferrari came in for relief, pitching the final two innings but struggling with control, issuing four walks and allowing two more runs.

This victory solidifies Japan’s position as a top contender in the tournament. With their 4-1 record, they have earned a spot in the crucial 1 vs. 2 playoff game, likely facing the undefeated United States team. This matchup will determine seeding for the final stages of the tournament and could provide a preview of a potential championship game.

For Guatemala, despite the loss, their 3-2 record is still impressive. They will now prepare to face Colombia in the 3rd vs. 4th place game. This matchup is crucial as it could determine their path in the later stages of the tournament and their chances for a medal.

As the group stage concludes, the stakes continue to rise. Japan’s shutout victory serves as a statement of intent, while Guatemala will need to regroup quickly to keep their championship hopes alive in the competitive Group C.

Box Score

Guatemala

Player	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO
Nery Del Cid SS	3	0	1	0	0	1
Luis Villeda DP/PH/1B	3	0	1	0	0	1
Fabian Vizcaino C	3	0	1	0	0	0
Gerardo Dacaret RF	3	0	1	0	0	1
Jorge Hernandez 3B	3	0	0	0	0	1
Henry Castillo 2B	1	0	0	0	0	1
Dennis Hurtarte PH/OPO	1	0	0	0	1	0
Manuel Hernández CF	2	0	0	0	0	2
Alvaro Dacaret 1B/2B	3	0	0	0	0	2
Alex Funes LF	1	0	0	0	0	1
Totals	25	0	4	0	1	10

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Jorge Segura (L)	4.0	3	2	2	3	7	1.45
Gian Ferrari	2.0	1	2	2	4	1	7.64

Japan

Player	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO
Tei Hamamoto RF	2	0	0	1	2	0
Yusuke Morita DP	4	0	0	0	0	2
Taiyo Kataoka C	3	0	0	0	0	1
Kaito Masaki 3B	2	2	2	1	1	0
Kazuya Toriyama 1B	2	1	0	0	1	1
Kotaro Yasumi 2B	2	0	1	0	0	1
Koki Sato LF	2	1	0	1	1	1
Seii Kuroiwa CF	2	0	0	0	0	2
Ryuji Okawa SS	1	0	1	1	1	0
Totals	20	4	4	4	7	8

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Hiroki Ikeda (W)	7.0	4	0	0	1	10	0.00

Game 14 – Japan 8, Columbia 1

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Japan Crushes 5 Homers in Dominant 8-1 Win Over Colombia

Japan continued their impressive run in the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2024 – Group C with a commanding 8-1 victory over Colombia. The game, which was called after 5 innings due to the mercy rule, showcased Japan’s formidable offense and solid pitching.

The Japanese team’s power hitting was on full display, with a total of five home runs throughout the game. Kaito Masaki led the charge with two homers, a three-run shot in the first inning and a solo blast in the third. Yusuke Morita added a solo home run in the third inning, while Kazuya Toriyama contributed two of his own – a solo homer in the third and a two-run shot in the fifth to end the game.

Japan wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Tei Hamamoto leading off the game with a single. Masaki then delivered his first three-run homer, scoring Hamamoto and Taiyo Kataoka, who had walked. This early 3-0 lead set the tone for the rest of the game.

On the pitching side, Shota Onodera went the distance for Japan, allowing just one run on eight hits over 5 innings. He struck out three and walked one, demonstrating excellent control throughout the game.

Colombia’s lone run came in the top of the first inning when Mateo Luna singled to right field, scoring Jeison Anillo. Despite collecting 8 hits in the game, including a double by Jhon Lara, Colombia struggled to convert these into runs against Onodera’s pitching.

Colombia’s starting pitcher, Roman Prato, had a tough outing, giving up 5 runs on 4 hits in 2.1 innings before being relieved by Sergio Hernandez. Hernandez finished the game but couldn’t stem the tide of Japan’s offense, allowing 3 more runs.

This victory further cements Japan’s position as a top contender in the tournament, showcasing their balanced attack of power hitting and solid pitching. For Colombia, the loss is a setback, but their ability to consistently get hits against a strong Japanese pitcher shows potential for improvement in future games.

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Colombia

Player	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO
Jeison Anillo 2B	3	1	2	0	0	0
Edgar Mercado SS	2	0	1	0	0	0
Mateo Luna 3B	3	0	2	1	0	0
Aldo Navia 1B	3	0	1	0	0	0
Jorge Martinez DP	1	0	0	0	1	0
Jhon Lara RF	2	0	1	0	0	1
Eduardo Cuesta CF	2	0	1	0	0	0
Daniel Sarkar C	2	0	0	0	0	2
Ruber Bencomo LF	1	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	19	1	8	1	1	3

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Roman Prato (L)	2.1	4	5	5	2	1	11.20
Sergio Hernandez	2.1	3	3	3	0	2	12.00

Japan

Player	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO
Tei Hamamoto RF	3	1	1	0	0	0
Yusuke Morita LF	2	1	1	1	0	0
Taiyo Kataoka C	2	1	0	0	1	1
Kaito Masaki DP	3	3	3	4	0	0
Kazuya Toriyama 1B	3	2	2	3	0	0
Yusuke Sakuraba 3B	2	0	0	0	0	0
Kanta Nishida 2B	2	0	0	0	0	0
Seii Kuroiwa CF	1	0	0	0	1	0
Ryuji Okawa SS	2	0	0	0	0	1
Totals	21	8	7	8	2	3

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Shota Onodera (W)	5.0	8	1	1	1	3	0.50

Game 15 – USA 11, South Africa 4

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H	E
South Africa	0	0	0	4	0	0	4	6	1
United States	2	4	0	2	2	1	11	13	0

United States Dominates South Africa in 11-4 Victory, Completes Perfect Pool Play in the WBSC Group C Qualifier

The United States national men’s fastpitch team showcased their power and skill in a commanding 11-4 win over South Africa in Game 15 of the WBSC Group C tournament. The American squad wasted no time asserting their dominance, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back.

Game Highlights

The United States’ offense was firing on all cylinders, led by stellar performances from Jonathan Michael Lynch and Tyler James Johnson. Lynch went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, and 3 RBIs, while Johnson contributed a 2-for-4 day with a double and 3 RBIs. Jeffrey Michael Lewis also had a productive game, going 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored.

On the mound, Cody Gibbons started for Team United States, pitching three scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts. Gwizdala followed with three innings of work, allowing 4 runs but securing the win.

For South Africa, Madumetsa John Nkgapele provided the biggest highlight with a two-run homer in the fourth inning. Tyrone Milne also contributed with a two-run homer in the same inning, briefly bringing South Africa back into the game.

Key Moments

• The United States took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, with Lynch’s triple scoring Shaw and Kimlinger’s single bringing in Lynch.
• The Americans extended their lead to 6-0 in the second inning, highlighted by Lynch’s two-run double and Johnson’s RBI single.
• South Africa’s four-run outburst in the fourth inning, featuring back-to-back home runs from Milne and Nkgapele, briefly cut the deficit to 6-4.
• The United States responded immediately in the bottom of the fourth with two runs, effectively putting the game out of reach.
• The United States team added two more runs in the fifth and one in the sixth to seal the 11-4 victory.

Tournament Implications

With this victory, Team United States finishes pool play with a perfect 5-0 record, emerging as the only unbeaten team in the competition. The United States will now face Japan in the 1st vs. 2nd playoff game, with the winner earning a coveted spot in the 2025 World Cup.

South Africa

Player	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO
Kiddo Mahlatse Malematja LF	3	0	1	0	1	1
Mandla Gideon Matswenyane RF	2	0	0	0	0	2
Mogau Macmillan Thupudi CF	3	0	1	0	0	1
Brandon Bouillon 3B	3	1	1	0	0	1
Tyrone Milne C	3	1	1	2	0	1
Kagiso Moeti SS	2	1	1	0	1	0
Madumetsa John Nkgapele 1B	3	1	1	2	0	0
Mathew Cody Diedericks 2B	2	0	0	0	0	2
Kamogetswe Ofentse Makolomakoe DH	2	0	0	0	0	2
Rowan Ebersohn PH	1	0	0	0	0	1
Mankomoro Chepape PH	0	0	0	0	1	0

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
Lamola (L)	1.2	4	6	6	3	1
Ledwaba	2.2	6	3	3	1	2
Aphane	1.2	3	2	2	1	1

United States

Player	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO
Zachary Shaw SS	2	1	1	1	2	0
Yusef Davis Jr. RF	3	1	1	0	1	1
Freddie Bradford CF	4	0	0	0	0	1
Codi Pannebecker C	3	1	0	0	0	1
Tyler Johnson 2B	4	0	2	3	0	0
Frank Kimlinger DH	4	1	2	1	0	0
Jonathan Lynch 3B	3	1	2	3	1	0
Erick Ochoa 1B	3	1	1	1	1	1
Jeffrey Lewis LF	3	2	2	1	1	0
Javier Caballero SS	1	0	0	0	0	1

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
Cody Gibbons	3.0	2	0	0	0	4
Gwizdala (W)	3.0	4	4	4	3	5

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