Official Standings at the WBSC World Cup website
Game 5 – Australia 9, Dominican Republic 2
Australia Overpowers Dominican Republic in 9-2 Victory
In a thrilling matchup at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Finals 2025 in Prince Albert, Canada, Australia (0-1) dominated the Dominican Republic (1-0) with a decisive 9-2 victory on July 9, 2025. The game, played under sunny skies at 25°C, showcased Australia’s offensive firepower and stellar pitching, in their effort to set the tone for their campaign to defend their 2022 world title.
Australia’s offense erupted early, capitalizing on Dominican errors and timely hitting. Scott Patterson led the way, going 1-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, while Riley James contributed a 1-for-2 performance with two RBIs. Marshall Kronk added a double and an RBI, and Ryan King‘s clutch double drove in a run, helping Australia build a commanding lead. The Aussies amassed seven hits, including two doubles and a homer, while drawing seven walks to keep the pressure on. Jarrod Bradbury and James Todhunter also crossed the plate, contributing to the nine-run total.
The Dominican Republic struggled to find their rhythm at the plate, managing only four hits. Juan Arias was the standout, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, including a solo shot that briefly sparked hopes of a comeback. However, Australia’s pitching stifled any momentum, as the Dominicans left runners stranded and committed two errors in the field.
.Australia’s Jack Besgrove delivered a masterful performance on the mound, pitching six innings, allowing four hits, two earned runs, and striking out 11 without issuing a single walk. His 89 pitches (64 strikes) kept the Dominican bats in check, earning him the win and a 3.60 ERA for the game.
The Dominican Republic cycled through three pitchers, with Yan Carlos Gonzalez Diaz taking the loss after 3.2 innings, giving up five hits, six runs (five earned), four walks, and three strikeouts for a 5.07 ERA. Michael De Jesús Batista pitched 0.2 innings, allowing two hits, two earned runs, and one walk, posting an 8.40 ERA. Jonni Javier Suriel Fernández closed out the game with 1.1 innings, surrendering one earned run and two walks while striking out two, resulting in a 5.25 ERA.Pitching Lines:
- Australia:
- Jack Besgrove (W): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 11 SO, 3.60 ERA
- Dominican Republic:
- Yan Carlos Gonzalez Diaz (L): 3.2 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO, 5.07 ERA
- Michael De Jesús Batista: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO, 8.40 ERA
- Jonni Javier Suriel Fernández: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO, 5.25 ERA
Game 6 – Japan 5, USA 4
Japan Edges USA in See-Saw Battle with 3 Lead Changes
In a see-saw battle at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2025 Finals on July 9, 2025, at Prime Ministers’ Park Field I, Japan defeated the United States 5-4, with the lead changing hands three times.
Game Summary
Japan took a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning with Yusuke Morita’s two-run homer, scoring Tei Hamamoto. The USA responded in the 5th with three runs: Erick Ochoa’s RBI single scored Yusef Davis Jr., and Blaine Milheim’s two-run homer scored pinch runner Frank Kimlinger, making it 3-2. Japan tied it at 3-3 in the 5th with Ryuji Okawa’s solo homer.
In the 6th, the USA went ahead 4-3 on Jonathan Lynch’s solo homer, but Japan countered with Koki Sato’s two-RBI single, scoring Kaito Masaki and Yutaro Inoue for a 5-4 lead. Japan held the USA scoreless in the 7th to secure the win.
Pool B Standings Update
The result leaves Pool B in a deadlock, with all four teams—Australia, Dominican Republic, Japan, and the United States—tied at a 1-1 record, the final day of pool play on Thursday will be decisive, determining which two teams advance to the Super Round on Friday. The USA will face the Dominican Republic in the first game of the day, while Japan will take on Australia in the third game.
Pitching Lines
Japan:
Hiroki Ikeda (W): 5.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO, 3.71 ERA
Onodera: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO
USA:
Marco Diaz (L): 6.0 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO, 2.69 ERA
Key Moments
- Bot 1: Morita’s two-run homer gave Japan a 2-0 lead.
- Top 5: Milheim’s two-run homer put the USA ahead 3-2.
- Bot 6: Sato’s two-RBI single gave Japan the final 5-4 lead.
Japan’s 9 hits outpaced USA’s 5 in an error-free game, with three lead changes defining the intense matchup
Game 7 – Canada 11, Venezuela 9
Canada Edges Venezuela in Thrilling WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2025 Finals Clash
In a high-scoring battle at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2025 Finals on July 9, 2025, at Prime Ministers’ Park Field I in Prince Albert, Canada secured a narrow 11-9 victory over Venezuela. The game, played under smoky 28-degree conditions, drew 1,000 fans and lasted 3 hours and 5 minutes.
Game Highlights
Canada’s offense erupted for 11 runs on 11 hits, powered by Bradley Ezekiel’s standout performance (3-for-4, 2 HRs, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) and Blake Hunter’s clutch hitting (2-for-4, 1 HR, 4 RBIs). Venezuela countered with 12 hits, including home runs from Jose Dorantes Lopez (2-for-4, 3 RBIs), Rafael Flores (2-for-4, 2 RBIs), and Pedro Flores (1-for-3, 1 RBI). Despite Venezuela’s offensive output, Canada’s timely hitting and solid relief pitching sealed the win.
Overcoming the 4-Run Deficit
Venezuela surged to a 9-5 lead after a 4-run 5th inning, driven by hits from Jose Dorantes Lopez, Kleiver Rodriguez Barreto, and Rafael Flores. Canada mounted their comeback in the 6th and 7th innings, scoring 3 runs each. In the 6th, Bradley Ezekiel’s solo homer and two wild pitches by Eudomar Toyo scored pinch-runner Max Major (for Ty Sebastian) and Quinten Bruce, cutting the lead to 9-8. In the 7th, Ezekiel’s second homer tied the game, and Blake Hunter’s 2-RBI double scored pinch-runner Mitchell McKay (for Quinten Bruce) and Nicholas White, securing an 11-9 lead. Ty Sebastian’s scoreless relief in the 6th and 7th (2.0 IP, 2 H, 4 SO) shut down Venezuela, ensuring the victory.
Venezuela’s Walks and Their Impact
Venezuela’s pitchers issued 12 walks, significantly fueling Canada’s offense. Luis Colombo Perez gave up 6 (3 in 1st, 1 in 6th), Edruin Ramirez Figueroa 4 (2 in 4th, 2 in 6th), and Erwin Diaz 2 (7th). Of these, 4 walks resulted in runs: Ty Sebastian walked twice (4th, 6th), scoring in the 4th on a wild pitch and in the 6th as Max Major on a wild pitch; Quinten Bruce walked in the 7th, scoring as Mitchell McKay on Blake Hunter’s double; and Nicholas White walked in the 7th, also scoring on Hunter’s double. The remaining 8 walks to Mathieu Roy, Shane Boland, Bradley Ezekiel, Quinten Bruce (4th), Bryan Abrey (5th, 6th, 7th), Colin Walsh, and Blake Hunter did not score but pressured Venezuela’s pitchers.
Pitching Lines
Canada:
Devon McCullough (W): 2.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
Sean Cleary: 2.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO
Justin Schofield: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
Ty Sebastian: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO, 0.00 ERA
Venezuela:
Luis Colombo Perez (L): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 2 SO, 14.00 ERA
Maiker Pimentel Sivira: 3.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO, 3.39 ERA
Edruin Ramirez Figueroa: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 1 SO, 8.40 ERA
Eudomar Toyo: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 21.00 ERA
Erwin Diaz: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO, 10.50 ERA
Key Moments
Canada capitalized on Venezuela’s pitching woes, drawing 12 walks, including three to Bryan Abrey. Venezuela’s lone error-free performance wasn’t enough to overcome Canada’s offensive depth and a critical fielding error by Colin Walsh. Both teams showcased power, with Canada hitting three home runs and Venezuela matching with three of their own.
This thrilling matchup highlighted the offensive firepower of both squads, with Canada’s balanced attack and bullpen depth proving the difference in a tightly contested game.
Game 8 – New Zealand 4, Argentina 1
New Zealand Defeats Argentina 4-1 in WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2025 Finals
On July 9, 2025, at Prime Ministers’ Park Field I in Prince Albert, New Zealand outlasted Argentina 4-1 in the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2025 Finals. Played before 2,000 fans under partly cloudy skies, the game featured dominant pitching and clutch hitting by New Zealand to clinch the victory.
Game Recap
New Zealand (2-0) struck first in the second inning when Rhys Evans doubled to score Reilly Makea. Argentina (0-2) answered in the bottom of the second with Khalil Luna’s RBI single, driving in Manuel Godoy to tie it at 1-1. New Zealand pulled ahead in the fifth, capitalizing on an error and a double by Cole Evans for two runs. They added a final run in the seventh on Seth Gibson’s RBI double, securing the 4-1 win.
New Zealand’s offense was powered by Tane Mumu, who went 3-for-3 with two runs, while Seth Gibson and Cole Evans each added a double and an RBI. For Argentina, Khalil Luna went 2-for-3 with an RBI, but the team struggled, leaving runners on base and hitting into a double play.
Pitching Lines
New Zealand: Liam Potts (W) – 7.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 11 SO, 111-76 pitches-strikes
Argentina: Pablo Migliavacca – 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO, 50-29 pitches-strikes | Roman Godoy (L) – 1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 24-16 pitches-strikes | Huemul Mata – 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO, 27-21 pitches-strikes
Key Moments
Top 2nd: Rhys Evans’ RBI double gave New Zealand a 1-0 lead.
Bottom 2nd: Khalil Luna’s single tied the game for Argentina.
Top 5th: An error and Cole Evans’ double drove in two runs for New Zealand.
Top 7th: Seth Gibson’s double scored Tane Mumu for the final 4-1 margin.
Game Notes
New Zealand’s four errors were offset by a key double play, while Argentina’s single error in the fifth proved costly. The game lasted 2 hours and 22 minutes, with Liam Potts earning the win and Roman Godoy taking the loss. New Zealand’s 9 hits and Liam Potts’ pitching prowess were decisive in this finals matchup. New Zealand is the only team of the eight in the World Cup finals to remain unbeaten as pool play heads into the final day today, Thursday. New Zealand (2-0) will face Venezuela, which lost a wild 11-9 game to host Canada.
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