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Story by Eric Balnar, photos by SMP Images, video courtesy of World Baseball Classic.

Australia’s run at the 2023 World Baseball Classic has come to an end.

Cuba’s three-run fifth inning was enough to squeak them by a pesky Australian squad, winning 4-3 in the quarter final. Cuba will now fly to Miami to play in the semi-finals.

It was another case of a Cuban close call for Australia. Cuba eliminated Australia at the 2017 World Baseball Classic, the 2019 Premier-12 and now here. All games were by one run.

Australia showed they belong with baseball powerhouses.

Australia hung tough all game. They fell behind 4-1 in the fifth inning and battled back. They even had the go-ahead run on-base in the seventh and eighth.

When it was all said and done, Australia left 10 runners on base and had four innings with multiple stranded.

Rixon Wingrove starred with the bat, driving in all three Aussie runs. He had a huge two-run homer in the sixth to bring Australia within one.

The game ended with a cool moment of the entire Japanese crowd chanting Darryl George’s name – an indication of how much respect Australia gained from the baseball mad country.

FULL GAME RUN DOWN

Australia hit the scoreboard first.

A Darryl George double off the wall in the second inning put him in scoring position for Rixon Wingrove to cash him in with a base knock. George was noticeably pumped crossing the plate.

Australia fought for more in the third. They had a glorious opportunity with bases loaded and two out. But Cuban starter Yariel Rodriguez induced a ground ball to the shortstop to get Cuba out of a jam.

Starting the game for Team Australia was veteran left hander Steve Kent. He was in classic form.

Kent located his stuff well, conceding one hit, two walks and didn’t allow a run in two innings of work. It got Australia settled in the game.

They turned it over to Mitch Neunborn.

Cuba got in the board in the third inning, seizing momentum from escaping a bases load jam.  After a walk and a double, Chicago White Sox star Luis Robert Jr tied the game on a fielder’s choice that cashed in a run from third.

Enter Australia defense. They stood tall with one out, two on and the heart of the Cuban order coming up.

The powerful Japan Big Leaguer Alfredo Despaigne drilled a ball on a line towards a gap by second base, but Robbie Glendinning continued his excellent tournament by robbing him of a base hit, taking runs off the board, and keeping the score tied through three.

Australia pressured again in the fourth. With one out, Rixon Wingrove and Logan Wade worked a pair of walks to put another runner in scoring position.

That chased Rodriguez from the game and brought in Miguel Romero – an Oakland A’s prospect with time in Triple-A. Romero got a strike-out and shallow pop-up to escape the jam.

Romero continued to pitch.

Australian bats kept turning the screws. Even if they weren’t scoring, they were always pressuring. Roel Santos robbed Tim Kennelly by catching a ball while leaping into the fence in the fourth. It may have saved a run, Alex Hall had a hit the next at bat.

Australia had a “Johnny All-Staff” approach again. Josh Guyer pitched a 1-2-3 fourth but a pair of baserunners forced him out in the fifth.

That’s when Cuba struck.

A soft contact hit, a walk and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with nobody out. Despaigne brought home one with a sacrifice fly off Sam Holland. Then, with Jon Kennedy on the mound, Yoelkis Guibert slashed a ball to right field to score two more.

4-1 Cuba.

Australia responded. Instantly.

Phillies prospect Rixon Wingrove continued his big day by sending a towering two-run shot to the moon (over the right field fence) to cut the lead to one.

Australia used xxx pitchers on the day. They were settled again in the sixth inning – after the Rixon bomb – by Melbourne pitcher Dan McGrath who worked a 1-2-3 inning.

McGrath followed it up with an outstanding pick-off move in the seventh to work his second scoreless inning. 4-3 heading in to the 8th.

Australia was able to get runners on first and second with one out in the seventh and eigth inning, but clutch Cuban pitching got them out of the jam.

Australia’s MLB veteran Warwick Saupold got the ball in the ninth. With a runner on second and one out, Robbie Glendinning snagged a line drive to double-up the baserunner and keep it a 4-3 game heading to the ninth.

Cuba got a 1-2-3 inning from their closer, to end Australia’s tournament.

—–

Thank you very much to everybody that tuned it. Australia showed they are right there with baseball’s big players.

We’ll be back.

BOX SCORE: Click here for MLB.com stats and summary.

by Eric Balnar, photos by SMP Images

Steven Kent starts to cry during an interview in the club rooms. Happy tears, of course.

“I get emotional thinking about it,” says a choked-up Kent. “We’ve all worked our entire lives to get to this point. I just think that we all just believe.”

He gets teary again.

“This is really hard to talk about. But really cool,” he says.  “Outside these four walls there may not be a lot of people who believe in us, but it doesn’t matter what happens out there because all that matters is what happens inside these walls. We expected to be here.”

The 33-year-old is one of the most popular and respected pitchers in Australian baseball. He has been part of the national program since 2007, played in two previous World Baseball Classics, won a Claxton Shield, and been part of all 12 Australian Baseball League seasons.

It’s only fitting that an Australian baseball warrior in Kent gets the start Wednesday night vs Cuba in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals at the Tokyo Dome.

If Australia wins, they jump on a charter plane to Miami immediately following the game to play in the semi-final.

Kent is emotional not because he is nervous. He is emotional because he says he appreciates every little moment which led Team Australia to this point. He’s emotional because he says he knows Australia deserves to be in this position. It’s not an accident.

After the game, he tweeted: “We’re not surprised, and you shouldn’t be either.”

Maybe he’s fighting back tears because he knows the belief that he’s held his entire life is totally justified. They say seeing is believing – and Australia is in the Final 8 of the biggest baseball tournament on the planet.

INFORMATION: Cuba vs Australia – Click here.

“It starts with our manager Dave Nilsson,” says Kent of his coach and Australian MLB All-Star. “He believes that we are good enough to be the best tournament baseball team in the world and that we can beat anyone. And we believe it too.”

Co-captain Tim Kennelly feels it as well. Kent and Kennelly are at their third World Baseball Classic together and this is the furthest they’ve made it.

He says playing for the Green & Gold is different than any other experience because you’re representing a small but mighty community, and all the players have such a similar experience.

“You’re representing your teammates. You’re representing your family and you’re representing your friends and everyone that follows Australian baseball back home,” Kennelly says. “A lot of kids are watching the games, there’s a lot of Australian Baseball League fans watching. It’s cool and if it’s something that they can aspire to be part of this team and know that the quarterfinals, the semifinals is not out of our depth and we can play baseball.”

If you ask any of the players, this moment is generations in the making. In fact, it’s past generations that helped make this moment.

Australia has quietly had significant moments in international baseball. They’ve already tasted the chocolates when they won a gold medal at the 1999 World Cup.

They won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics, they won silver at the 2010 Women’s World Cup, they’ve finished second at the Under-23 World Cup.

Australia always seems to be right at the pointy end of tournaments in the junior ranks. Heck, Clayton Campbell pitched that no-hitter for Australia at the little leagues.

At pretty much every level, Australia has always been there for a long time.

There’s been some narrow losses to baseball powerhouses – including two recent one run blows to Cuba. Australia has always been right there. That’s why, when they beat Korea 8-7 in the tournament open – it was such a relief. Australia is “there” and players know it.

Finally, at this tournament, Australia has broken through to the final eight. Maybe Steve Kent was feeling all the heart-break and close calls he’s experienced with his Aussie baseball brothers.

The Aussie baseball family attitude is even reflected on the Australian baseball jersey. The Indigenous emblem on the chest signifies the sharing of stories, experiences and information of baseball stars past and present.

Australia quite literally carries its past on their chest in the thick of a game.

“Anyone that’s worn this jersey and represented Australia has meaning to the team,” says Kennelly. “They’re all the reason why we are here.”

Missed a story? Visit us at www.baseball.com.au/wbc23

Past Australian baseball stars were watching nervously when their country beat the Czech Republic to seal Australia’s spot.

Travis Blackley was nervously tweeting the game, Pete Moylan got a word in, Luke Hughes was noticeably pumped up, Glenn Williams was watching nervously in the stands. Liam Hendriks has been actively sharing stories on social media and has been in contact with the players.

Those five players are just some of many players who have come before that helped inspire this group, just like this group is inspiring now.

And this playing group is talented. Dave Nilsson pointed it out in a press-conference.

“First off, we have good players and we prepared well,” he says.

He’s right. Australia does have good players. They play against other good players. And they prepared very well in a grueling 10-day training camp in Fuchu before the tournament.

Kent says because of that he wasn’t surprised by Australia’s performance.

Eleven of Australia’s players have MLB affiliate contracts. Fifteen have played in Triple-A or higher. Two have played in the Major Leagues. Another has played in the Japanese Big Leagues.

All thirty players compete in the Australian Baseball League – one of the most underrated leagues in the world.

Steve Kent says this run could help garner respect of Australian baseball on the international stage.

“We have plenty of big-name players that come to the ABL,” he says. “It goes to show that over the years we’ve gone from strength-to-strength. That’s shown by the quality of players we get to come over and with raising the standards that’s pushing Australian baseball players to play to that level. We’re getting better too.”

Look at the past ABL Championship series – it was loaded with talent. World Series winners Josh Reddick and Pete Kozma took the field for the Heat. A top prospect in Junior Caminero threatened with the bat. Six-year big leaguer Mikey Martinez roamed the infield.

A Round 10 series between Perth and Melbourne had nine big leaguers involved.

Other big name imports to come to Australia include the likes of Didi Gregorious, Rhys Hoskins, Ronald Acuna Jr, Logan O’Hoppe and Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga, to name a few.

Shota Imanaga in Canberra

It’s not a walk in the park for overseas stars either. Gregorious hit .189 in his time with the Canberra Cavalry. Josh Reddick, a World Series winner, was hitting less than .200 until late in the season. Logan O’Hoppe hit .273 in his season in Adelaide – he’s looking like Shohei Ohtani’s catcher with the Angels.

The Australians compete. No, the Australians thrive.

Australians like Liam Hendriks grew up playing club ball and then for the Perth Heat. One of baseball’s top prospects, Curtis Mead, is an Australian playing for Adelaide. Aussie big leaguers like Pete Moylan, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Trent Oeltjen, Warwick Saupold, Aaron Whitefield and Justin Huber all regularly played.

All those big names have the same experience of growing up as an Australian baseball player. They grew up with mum and dad driving them to a local club team, they rose the ranks, they played in the Australian Youth Championships, they played in their respective State Leagues, they played in the ABL, they went to academies together.

For Warwick Saupold, that’s what makes the World Baseball Classic experience even greater than his MLB-time.

“We’re all mates, that’s more of it,” says Saupold. “You play in the States and you might know guys in the system and then you play in the Big Leagues with them. But it’s [not the same].”

“In Australia, you grow up playing juniors with them, you go through the ranks with them, and then you get to the men’s team together and you know you’re here for a reason.”

Jack O’Loughlin (right) stands next to Alex Hall at the U13 World Cup in 2012. They are both teammates now on the senior national team at the WBC.

Saupold – now 33 – has been on a long baseball journey with many of his teammates. One of them is Steve Kent.

The two of them went to an elite baseball academy together as teammates and are now about to pitch in their third World Baseball Classic as a pair.

“It’s just different when you go through the system with them all. It’s a different feeling because we’ve all been through such a similar experience,” he says.

Australians may not play 162 games against line-ups nine-deep of the world’s best, but they do compete against the world’s best on a regular basis.

To put it simply, and in the words of Steve Kent – Australia belongs in the same breath as the likes of baseball giants like Cuba and Korea.

“Every team that’s left now in the quarterfinals, everyone is obviously a really, really good team. Cuba is no different,” says Kent. “For a number of years now they’ve been one of the really big powerhouses in international baseball. But we believe we are, too.”

Regardless of the outcome of Wednesday’s battle in front of a massive global audience, Australia has proved they belong with the world’s best.

A win over world number 4 Korea, three wins in the tournament, and a place in the quarterfinal. Who knows? Maybe a trip to Miami is on the cards…

“We belong in that conversation.”

by Eric Balnar

Australia will face traditional baseball powerhouse Cuba at the 2023 World Baseball Classic quarterfinals on Wednesday night.

Live from the iconic Tokyo Dome, the game starts at 7:00PM in Japan / 9:00pM in Melbourne.

Australia is on a run at the world’s biggest international baseball competition featuring the top talent in the world. Entering the tournament, Australia had won two games in four World Baseball Classics combined.

This tournament they’ve won three games.

If Australia beats Cuba on Wednesday, they will advance to the semi-finals in Miami on March 19. You can watch the game on ESPN. Full coverage will be available via the ESPN App and Foxtel Sport customers get free authenticated access. The game will be joined in progress on Kayo following the WNBL match on at a similar time.

Australia last played Cuba at the 2019 Premier-12 tournament, losing 3-2 in extra innings. They also battled at the 2017 World Baseball Classic with Australia falling 4-3 despite out hitting the Cubans.

Veteran pitcher Steve Kent is expected to start for Australia on the mound. Kent is a 12-year ABL veteran who is playing in his third World Baseball Classic. He’s won a Claxton Shield with the Canberra Cavalry and reached as high as Triple-A in the minor leagues.

The Green & Gold went 3-1 in Pool B action to secure second position and a spot in the Final 8. Australia opened the tournament with a famous 8-7 victory over world number four Korea. They followed that up with a 12-2 win over China, a 7-1 loss to Japan and an 8-3 quarterfinal clinching victory over the Czech Republic.

For full stories and coverage, check out www.baseball.com.au/wbc23.

Make sure you follow us on social media @ Team Australia Baseball across most platforms.

AUSTRALIA NOTES

Key moments for Australia Baseball include:

• Going to quarterfinals of World Baseball Classic (2023)
• Ranked 10th in the world
• Made Super Round of U23 World Cup (2022)
• Silver Medal at U23 World Cup (2016)
• Women’s World Cup Silver Medal (2010)
• Athens Olympics Silver Medal (2004)
• 36 Australians played in Big Leagues, more than Australians in NBA
• All 30 on the roster play in the Australian Baseball League
• Consistently put-up results across international junior baseball tournaments including Little League World Series, U18 World Cups, etc

– Finished with a 2-2 record in Pool A in Taiwan…Lost their first two games (4-2 to Netherlands and 6-3 to Italy)…stormed back to win their last two games to qualify for quarterfinals by beating Panama 13-4 and Chinese Taipei 7-1

– Cuba has a rich baseball history and strong domestic competition. Baseball is the #1 sport in Cuba. Their roster has MLB talent, domestic stars, and future giants of the game. This includes legend Yoenis Cespedes, current MLBer Luis Robert, For Cuba’s roster and team preview, click here.

– Cuba beat Australia in the Gold Medal game of the 2004 Athens Olympics

– Among team leaders, Yadil Mujica (2B) has 6RBI  and a .500 average. Yoan Moncada has 1 HR and 5RBI. Erisbel Arruebarrena has a homer and a .357 average.

– Full team stats: Click Here.

– Beat Australia by one run at the 2019 Premier-12 and by one run at the 2017 World Baseball Classic

– Cuba went to the Gold Medal Game of the first World Baseball Classic in 2006 but fell to Japan

– World Baseball Classic history…2017: lost in second round, finished 7th…2013: lost in second round, finished 5th…2009: lost in second round, finished 6th,….2006: lost gold medal game to Japan, finished 2nd

– The Cuba baseball team has been the most successful Cuba national team at the Olympics bringing home three gold medals and two silver medals.

For more information on Cuban baseball history, click here.

QUOTABLES

Dave Nilsson, Team Australia manager:

“I’m extremely proud of the whole group, not just the players, support staff but everyone that’s been involved along the way. It’s good to get through the second round and there’s a sense of relief because we worked really hard.”

“First of all, I have good players, and I think we prepared really well. I think there’s a belief in this group that if we prepare very well, which we did, we are going to put ourselves in a good position and over the last four days you’ve seen that we have played really well and that’s off the back of just some really hard work from all our players. Our preparation I think was right on point.”

Tim Kennelly, Team Australia captain:

“We are going to you to the quarterfinals. I’m super excited for the playing group and yeah, we worked hard to get to this point and excited to get through to the quarterfinals.”

“We’re not done yet. It’s cool to get through the quarterfinals, and if we get through to Miami, the last four teams, that’s going to be pretty cool”

“There’s a lot of people, a lot of Australian baseball fans back home that are watching, a lot of family and friend that are here that have flown all the way to Japan to watch us play. You’re representing your teammates and you’re representing your family and you’re representing everyone that follows Australian baseball back home. A lot of kids are watching the games, there’s a lot of Australian Baseball League fans watching games. It’s cool, and if it’s something that they can aspire to be part of this team and know that the quarterfinals, the semifinals is not out of our depth and we can play baseball.”

“[Cuba is] a talented bunch of baseball players and we have played against them a lot. We haven’t gotten over the line in recent times but we’ve been around the mark. Super excited with this playing group we have got. We are going to go out and play with no fear and give it everything we’ve got. Getting to the quarterfinals is cool, but getting to Miami would be cooler.”

Robbie Perkins, Team Australia catcher

“Our playing group has always played with resilience. Typically, we’re not expected to win games like that, but we always have belief in ourselves that we’re going to go out there and we’re going to shock the world.”

Mitch Neunborn, Team Australia pitcher

“Super excited to be part of a team like this, and the boys were very resilient, great at-bats. We stuck it out, did really well. At the end of the day we are trying to do something pretty cool here and make some history happen, so to go to the quarterfinals and be the first team in the WBC history for Australia is something very, very special.”

by Eric Balnar, photos by SMP Images

Australia is going to the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals.

That’s a sentence that’s never been written before.

But it’s real. It’s happening. It’s damn fun to write.

Australia defeated the Czech Republic 8-3 in a Monday afternoon thriller to improve their record to 3-1, secure second spot in Group B, and advance to the final eight of the world’s biggest international tournament.

They’ll have a date with Cuba in the quarterfinals in Tokyo on Wednesday 13 March.

But let’s talk about this one. The scoreline does not indicate how close the game was. It was tight all afternoon.

Entering the seventh inning, the two teams had combined for just three hits and the score was tied at one. A late offensive explosion masked the narrowest of margins.

Brisbane’s Logan Wade broke the tension by delivering in the tightest of situations. With the scores knotted at one, runners on first and second, two outs and a full-count, Wade drove a hanging pitch off the top of the right field wall. His two-out double cashed in a pair of runs.

3-1 Australia. Bedlam in the dugout.

It’s not the first clutch international moment for Wade. The shortstop had the crucial triple at the 2019 Premier-12 that sent Australia to the super round.

This is next level. This is the World Baseball Classic. This is the best of the best of the best.

“Out of respect for past players, I can’t say where that hit ranks,” says manager Dave Nilsson. “But I can tell you it was a significant one. A big one. Right near the top of the tree.”

The Australian Baseball League MVP Alex Hall also had one of the biggest of days on the biggest of stages.

Hall’s solo home run in the first inning put Australia up first. His 2-RBI triple in the eighth provided some crucial insurance runs and put Australia up 5-1.

Insurance runs that were needed, too, because the Czechs fought back late.

He had his fourth RBI in the ninth.

Tim Kennelly had a good one, too. The co-captain made highlight reel plays in the field, scored a critical run and had an RBI.

It’s been a magical run for the Aussies at the World Baseball Classic.

Australia stunned world number four Korea in the opening game of the tournament and used that moment to advance to the final eight for the first time.

Entering the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Australia had only won two games. They won three in the opening round are rubbing shoulders with the sport’s elite.

It’s one of the biggest moments in this country’s baseball history. It ranks right up there with the 2004 Olympic Silver medal in Athens.

“This is significant on so many levels,” says Nilsson. “This means a great deal to players who have represented Australia before us, to the current group and to future players. I hope people are inspired by this group’s breakthrough.”

The game itself was a tense, tight, wild and emotional affair until Australia started to run away with it late.

Two baseball nations with a chance to advance to play finals baseball. This is what the World Baseball Classic was made for.

The pitcher’s duel that unfolded matched the gravity of the game.

Martin Schnieder, a 37-year-old firefighter, was superb for the Czech Republic in his start. He went 5.1 innings of one hit ball, conceding just a solo shot in the first to Alex Hall.

“He was really good,” says co-captain Tim Kennelly of Schnieder. “He kept us in check for most of the afternoon but I was really happy with our approach at the plate. It was enough to break through late.”

Pitching for Australia, the Adelaide pair of Jack O’Loughlin and Mitch Neunborn opened it up. The duo combined for five nnings of two-hit baseball, allowing just one run. Neunborn struck out five while O’Loughlin whiffed three.

Dan McGrath was sensational in the following two innings in relief for the Aussies. He allowed a couple base runners in the eighth, which were both cashed in by a Marek Chlup base knock off Sam Holland.

Jon Kennedy registered the final three outs.

Nilsson says Australia’s focused preparation ahead of the event was crucial to the success.

“Well, first off we have good baseball players,” says Nilsson on the success of the team. “But there’s a belief in this group that we can have success if we prepare well.”

Australia benefitted from sensational defense throughout the afternoon.

Tim Kennelly was a highlight machine in right field.

The co-captain made two sensational catches. The first was a diving effort vs the first batter of the game.

The second was an over-the-shoulder catch off Australian club baller Martin Muzik in the fifth.

Australia opened the scoring when Hall homered just minutes into the game to put his country up 1-0.

The Czech’s offensive response came in the third inning when MLB infielder Eric Sogard slashed a ball up the middle to score a run and tie the game.

Wade’s two-out knock in the seventh scored a pair of runs.

Australia then piled it on in the eighth. Alex Hall had an RBI triple and Robbie Glendinning drove in a run. Australia’s three run eighth inning pushed the advantage to 6-1.

The Czech responded with a pair in the bottom of the eighth.

Tim Kennelly’s RBI single made it 7-3 in the ninth. Alex Hall then made it 8-3 to complete his 4-RBI afternoon.

Australia will enjoy the victory and grab a much-needed rest day on Tuesday. The biggest game of their lives is coming up on Wednesday.

“We’re not done yet,” says Tim Kennelly. “I’m really proud of this group and the way we’ve prepared.”

The winner of the Australia – Cuba clash advances to the WBC Semi Finals in Miami.

FULL BOX SCORE: Click here.

History is on the line today as Australia’s World Baseball Classic fate will be decided with a critical clash vs the Czech Republic.

A win for Australia would improve their Pool B record to 3-1 and clinch second place in the group. A loss, and Australia will drop any potential tiebreaker scenario.
Czech Republic and Australia play each other at 2:00PM AEDT (12:00PM in Tokyo). The game will be broadcast across Australia on ESPN.

The Top 2 teams in each group advance to the final eight and play the Top 2 teams from Group A. The standings and schedule are below.

Assuming Korea beats China as expected, the Czech side will need to beat Australia and not allow more than three runs in nine innings of play to win a potential three-way tiebreaker.

If Australia win, they will play Cuba on 15 March in the Quarter Finals.

Australia opened the World Baseball Classic with an upset win over baseball powerhouse Korea on Thursday. They beat China 12-2 in the run rule before falling to Japan 7-1 on Sunday night.

Australia has never made the Quarter Final of a World Baseball Classic. In fact, they’ve already won more games at this World Baseball Classic than any previous edition.

The Czech Republic are playing in their first World Baseball Classic. They are made up of (mostly) 9-5 workers who play baseball out of passion. Two of their players play in Australian club ball.

Their story is beautifully detailed in this story by MLB.com’s Michael Clair. It’s worth a read. Click here.

Czech Republic opened up the tournament with a dramatic 7-5 win over China thanks to an electric Martin Muzik homer. Muzik plays club ball with Sturt Baseball Club in Adelaide.

The Czechs lost to Japan 8-2, but had a lead in the third inning. Korea beat Czech Republic 7-3 on Sunday afternoon.

For full news, information, stories and coverage make sure you follow our WBC23 Hub at www.baseball.com.au/wbc23.

STANDINGS

Group B
1. Japan 4-0
2. Australia 2-1
3. Korea 1-2
4. Czech Republic 1-2
5. China 0-3

SCHEDULE (AEDT)

Monday 13 March
2:00PM – Australia vs Czechia
9:00PM – Korea vs China

by Eric Balnar, photos by SMP Images

Team Australia felt the power of Japanese baseball on Sunday night.

A sold-out Tokyo Dome of 41,000 people in the baseball frenzied country of Japan asked for a “Sho” and boy, did they ever get one.

Not even 10 minutes into the game, baseball’s biggest star Shohei Ohtani crushed a monster three-run homer. The ball landed deep in the right field stands, and world number one Japan used that first inning shot to power to a 7-1 victory over Australia.

Ohtani had four runs batted in on the day before being pulled in the seventh inning. Alex Hall had a solo shot in the ninth inning for Australia’s lone score.

It was fun to be part of. The crowd chanted, hollered and sang throughout the evening in a special atmosphere.

Japan finishes Pool B play with a perfect 4-0 record and wins the group. They officially advance to the quarter finals. They outscored their opponents of Australia, Korea, China and Czech Republic by a score of 38-7.

They’ll face the runner up of Group A in a March 16 quarter final in Tokyo.

Australia’s record falls to 2-1 with one game remaining.

The equation is simple for Australia: beat the Czech Republic on Monday afternoon and advance to their first ever World Baseball Classic quarter final. If they win Monday, they’ll face the winner of Group A in Tokyo on March 15.

Monday’s game vs the Czech Republic will be played at 12:00PM Tokyo time (2:00PM in Melbourne).

It has the potential to be one of the more significant moments in Australia baseball history. No Australian team has ever made it past the group stage at the World Baseball Classic.

There’s no shame in losing to Japan. They are the world’s number one ranked team for a reason. Their team has a combined salary of $110,000,000 USD.

Japan’s 7-1 victory is the lowest margin of victory they’ve had in their four games.

The fans have been going mad for the World Baseball Classic in Japan. An estimated 46% of Japanese households watched the WBC opener, and Japan has a population of 125,000,000. You do the match.

It was surely an experience the Aussies will never forget.

20-year-old Will Sherriff started the game for the Green & Gold. After allowing the three-run bomb to Ohtani, he settled down by getting Japanese League home run king Murakami to fly out. He then struck out eight-year NPB veteran Okamoto.

Luke Wilkins took over from there. The veteran arm went the next 2.2 innings, allowing just two runs.

Japan added two more runs in the second inning to push their lead to 5-0. Lars Nootbar and Kensuke Kondoh had the RBIs off back-to-back hits.

In the fourth inning, Japan had bases loaded, nobody out, and Ohtani at the plate. But a timely double play anchored by Robbie Glendinning helped limit the home side to just one run off a bases-loaded walk.

Japan would cash in another run in the sixth to make it 7-0.

It total, Japan tallied 10 hits on the day.

Australia only had five hits on the night but there were a couple nice highlights that will be remembered for a long time. Alex Hall’s homer in the ninth was one of them.

Todd Van Steensel had a great moment on the mound. The ABL veteran struck out Ohtani swinging in the sixth inning. Van Steensel ended up going 2.0 innings without allowing a run and striking out three.

It wasn’t just the powerful Japan line-up Australia got a taste of. Japan’s pitching was pretty good, too.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the NPB’s highest paid player, tossed 4.0 innings of one hit, no-walk, shutout ball with eight strikeouts.

Keiji Takahashi, Taisei Ota, Atsuki Auesa and Hiroya Miyagi combined to blank the Australians.

For Australia on the mound, Mariners’ prospect Blake Townsend and Dodgers’ hopeful Liam Doolan seized some play time. Townsend worked two key outs in the fourth, while Doolan allowed one run in the fifth.

Van Steensel pitched the sixth and seventh.

Josh Guyer pitched a clean eighth. Sam Holland pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with a pair of punch outs.

Dave Nilsson took the opportunity to let his full roster play in the hectic atmosphere.

Other Australian players hit the field for their World Baseball Classic debut including Cubs prospect Liam Spence at third, who replaced Darryl George in the fifth. Ryan Battaglia came in for a pinch hit in the eighth. Jarryd Dale entered in the middle stages of the game, too, and even collected a hit.

Australia’s tournament continues on Monday with the big clash vs the Czech Republic.

BOX SCORE: Click here.

Sunday 12 March, 2023

Australia (2-0) plays Japan (3-0) at the World Baseball Classic tonight at the Tokyo Dome in a game that’s quickly become one of the biggest on the international tournament’s docket.
Pool B action continues on Sunday afternoon as Australia takes on number one ranked international baseball team in the world.

First pitch is at 7:00PM Tokyo Time (9:00PM AEDT) and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN in Australia.

If Korea defeats Czech Republic on Sunday afternoon, then this game will decide who wins the group.

It will all be played in front of a unique but passionate baseball atmospheres at the Tokyo Dome as well as a large TV audience.

The Japanese national team is made up of superstars in the Japan Big Leagues and Major League Baseball. It is estimated their combined salary is approximately $110,000,000 USD (165 million AUD).

Shohei Ohtani – one of the biggest athletes on the planet – will be in the line-up to face Australia. The Japanese star has won the last two MLB MVP awards while playing with the Los Angeles Angels.

He’s one of several international Japanese baseball stars playing on Japan.

Ohtani is one of the world’s best pitchers and hitters. He is playing in his home country for the first time in five years.

It’s a massive deal. People across the country are flocking to see him.

Other stars will be in the line-up too, including Japan’s starting pitcher Yomamoto who is the highest paid player in the NPB.

Murakami, a Japanese slugger who belted 56 homers in the NPB in 2022, is also in the line-up.

Can the Aussies upset the baseball giants? They are already on a historic run at the World Baseball Classic.

They upset world number four South Korea on Thursday afternoon 8-7. Australia used nine pitchers while Robbie Perkins and Robbie Glendinning each had a three-run homer in the win.

They followed it up with a 12-2 win over China on Saturday. Australia combined for 12 hits, 8 walks and 12 runs in an impressive team effort again.

Japan has won big in all three games they’ve played. They beat China 8-1, Korea 13-4 and Czech Republic 10-2. Japan has outscored opponents 31-7 in just three games.

The Top 2 teams in Group B will advance to the Quarter Finals on March 15/16. They’ll play the Top 2 teams in Group A. For full standings, click here.

The winner of Sunday night’s match between Australia and Japan will move into first place with one day of group play to go.

If Australia loses vs Japan, they will play Czech Republic on Monday with a chance to advance to the final eight.

Australia has never reached the quarter finals of the World Baseball Classic. In fact, they’ve already set an Australian record for most wins at the WBC.

An Australia win + a Czech Republic loss would clinch a spot in the quarter finals. If they lose vs Japan, Australia’s fate will be decided in a March 13 game vs the Czech Republic.

They’re about to enter a cauldron at the Tokyo Dome on Sunday.

Baseball frenzy is at a whole other level in Japan. It is their national sport.

Sell out crowds of 40,000 + people at the Tokyo Dome have flocked to watch their national team play each night during the World Baseball Classic.

It is estimated that 46% of Japanese households are watching the games. Japan has a population of 125,000,000.

Fans show up to games four hours early to watch batting practice.

Australia enters the game as hopeful underdogs vs the world’s best baseballing team made up of NPB (Japan Big Leagues) and MLB stars.

It should be a fun one to cheer the team on.

KEY LINKS

• Get more stories and information on Team Australia at our #WBC23 Hub: Click here.
• Japan Preview for World Baseball Classic: Click here.
• Australia defeats Korea 8-7: Click here.
• MLB’s World Baseball Classic: Click here.

WBC STANDINGS – POOL B

Top two teams advance to quarter finals.

1. Japan 3-0
2. Australia 2-0
   —-
3. Czechia 1-1
4. Korea 0-2
5. China 0-3

Up next Pool B:

• Sunday 12 March, 12:00PM Tokyo time – Korea vs Czech Republic
• Sunday 12 March, 7:00PM Toyko time – Australia vs Japan
• Monday 13 March, 1:00PM Toyko time – Australia vs Czech Republic
• Monday 13 March, 7:00PM Tokyo time – Korea vs China

by Eric Balnar, photos by SMP Images

On Sunday afternoon, Coen Wynne was pitching for Baulkham Hills, his Australian club ball team in the New South Wales State League Finals.

Six days later, the Sydney Blue Sox professional pitcher was throwing for the Australian national team at the Tokyo Dome at the World Baseball Classic in one of the game’s most pivotal moments.

Wynne entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning with one out, two runners on and the tying run at the plate. Australia was up 5-0 entering the inning but China had just pegged two runs back.

Wynne walked the first batter to load the bases.

Then? A strike out of Pei Liang – the Chinese slugger who homered vs Japan. He followed that up with a string out of Jin Yang – a professional player in Japanese Big Leagues.

Australia escaped the inning with a 5-2 lead and went on to win the game 12-2 to improve to 2-0 at the World Baseball Classic.

Coen Wynne? He then pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless baseball and gets credited with the win.

After being added to the roster late Wednesday night, manager Dave Nilsson sung the young pitcher’s praises.

“Coen has only been in Japan two days. It was a great effort. Kudos to him,” he says. “He put himself in that position. He had some international play previously in the 2023 World Cup, so I had a good feel for his make-up and his mindset.

From Baulkam Hills Baseball Club on Sunday, to the World Baseball Classic on Saturday.

What a week for the 22-year-old who didn’t arrive in Japan until Thursday. It was very emblematic of the Australian team so far.

“Hang in there, and stay ready,” says Wynne. “In baseball, in life. You never know what’s around the corner. Just hang in there and stay ready.”

Coen Wynne celebrating with catcher Robbie Perkins (PHOTO: SMP Images)

Wynne has joined an Australian team who is making waves in the international baseball world.

In just two games in 2023, Australia has equaled the number of World Baseball Classic wins it’s had in the last four World Baseball Classics combined. The two wins are the most by an Australian side in the tournament.

With two games to go, Australia now has a chance to advance to the quarter finals for the first time.

BOX SCORE: Click here for official stats. 

Saturday’s mercy rule win wasn’t as wild as Australia’s 8-7 win of world number four Korea on Thursday night. Once Coen Wynne helped Australia get out of that sticky situation in the third it was much more straight forward.

The bats were hot from the start. It was another relentless team effort from the Green & Gold with contributions from everywhere.

Rixon Wingrove opened the game with a bases clearing double to score Australia’s first three runs of the afternoon in the first inning.

Back-to-back doubles from Darryl George cashed in a pair of scores in the third to push Australia up 5-0.

With the score 5-2, and right after Wynne had his moment, Australia piled on five runs in the fourth inning.

Robbie Glendinning hit his second homer of the tournament – a two-run shot to push the lead back out to five.

Aaron Whitefield followed that up with an RBI-double, his second of the game, to score Darryl George. Wingrove drove in Whitefield four his fourth RBI of the day. Logan Wade capped it off by driving in Rixon.

Just like that, it was 10-2.

Darryl George finished the day with an RBI in the seventh to push the game into 10-run mercy rule territory.

There were a stack of Aussie players who had big days with the bat.

Rixon Wingrove had 4 RBIs – tied most in Australian World Baseball Classic history.

Wingrove, Whitefield, Glendinning and Darryl George each had two hits. Australia combined for 12 base knocks as a team and worked eight walks. They only struck out a combined three times. It was a relentless effort.

“It’s surreal,” says Wingrove of the WBC experience so far. “We’re just going to enjoy the moment at this point. We are happy where we’re at and every game that we try and go into, we try and win.”

Wingrove swings big at the WBC (PHOTO: SMP Images)

Pitching wise, Australia started with Kyle Glogoski. The Cincinatti Reds affiliate player had a bend-but-don’t-break performance. He allowed four base runners off three walks and a hit but had five strike outs to go with it and importantly no runs.

“Today was a great game. Kyle started out, gave us a good three innings, really just settled down and got through his nerves, and the first inning we had the big hit from Rixon here,” says Nilsson. “Both these guys here have a big future in these tournaments and it was great to see them both come through.”

Luke Wilkins followed Glogoski and pitched 0.2 of an inning allowing two runs. Coen Wynne took over from there, pitching 2.2 innings of shutout ball.

Todd Van Steensel pitched a clean 1-2-3 seventh.

GET MORE STORIES AT OUR WBC23 HUB: CLICK HERE.

Australia plays world number one Japan next at the Toyko Dome on Sunday night. It’s expected to be another sell-out in baseball-crazed Tokyo.

It has the potential to be one of the bigger moments in Australian sports history.

But Dave Nilsson isn’t getting ahead of himself.

“I’m not really worried about tomorrow. I’m just going to enjoy today’s win,” says Nilsson. “Obviously everybody knows who Team Japan is and they know they have a lot of good players. I’ll go home and have a good dinner tonight, spend some time with my family and then after that, I’ll start thinking about tomorrow.”

WBC STANDINGS – POOL B

Top two teams advance to quarter finals.

1. Japan 2-0
2. Australia 2-0
3. Czechia 1-0
4. Korea 0-2
5. China 0-3

Up next:

• Sunday 12 March, 7:00PM Toyko time vs Japan
• Saturday 13 March, 1:00PM Toyko time vs Czechia

by Eric Balnar

Australia (1-0) continue their World Baseball Classic campaign in Tokyo with a Group B game vs China (0-2) on Saturday afternoon.

The game is scheduled to start at 12:00PM in Tokyo or 2:00PM in Sydney time. You can watch every pitch in ESPN around Australia and Fox Sports 1 around the world.

Australia is coming off an electric 8-7 win over world number 4 Korea. They are looking for their second win in a row.

China dropped their first two games of the World Baseball Classic vs Japan and Czech Republic.

The Top 2 teams in Group B, one of four pools in the WBC, will advance to the quarter finals. Australia is in a group with Korea, China, Japan and Czech Republic.

REMAINING TEAM AUSTRALIA SCHEDULE / RESULTS

March 9 – Australia 8 def Korea 7
March 11 – vs China, 12:00PM Tokyo Time
March 12 – vs Japan, 7:00PM Tokyo Time
March 13 – vs Czech Republic, 1:00PM Tokyo Time

For more stories, visit our WBC23 Hub at www.baseball.com.au/wbc23

ABOUT TEAM CHINA

From MLB.com (via Mike Clair):

“Shortstop Ray Chang returns for his fourth World Baseball Classic and China will look to rely on his bat that has posted a .324/.324/.471 line in the previous tournaments.

Surrounding him are Angels prospect and amateur free-agent signee Alan Carter, who pushed his fastball into the mid-90s after transferring to Lee University; KBO reliever Kwon Ju (3.91 ERA in 50 2/3 IP last year) and NPB OF Yusuke Masago.

New South Wales pitcher Coen Wynne has been added to Team Australia’s 30-man roster.

He replaces Tim Atherton (personal reasons) on the list.

Wynne just finished a four-year career at Grand Canyon University in the NCAA. He returned to Australia for the 2022-23 ABL season.

The 23-year-old started 10 games for the Sydney Blue Sox, posting a 4.13 ERA in 48.0 innings pitched.

He has previous experience on the World Cup U23 national team.

Australia continues their World Baseball Classic vs China on March 11 at 2:00PM AEDT.

The Aussies beat Korea 8-7 on Thursday afternoon to open pool play.

by Eric Balnar. Photos by SMP Images

When Robbie Glendinning hit a three-run home run to launch Australia in front of world number 4 Korea, there was an audible roar throughout the Tokyo Dome.

A roar. For Robbie. For Australia. In Tokyo.

Before the biggest game of his young career, 22-year-old pitcher Jack O’Loughlin stood in front of the dugout talking to his dad who was hanging above in the stands.

“You staying warm?,” asked Ray, Jack’s father.

Jack responded with a simple and relaxed: “I’m ready.”

O’Loughlin went on to pitch a perfect two innings in his start vs Korea, made all the more special by his dad and mum being there in person at the Tokyo Dome.

It’s those little moments between father and son that make big moments easier.

“It’s so special, to be honest,” said Jack before the game. “Mum and Dad both flew from Adelaide last night, I’ve even got family friends from Tokyo. My parents have watched me play when growing up, in the USA and now they are here. They’re my biggest fans and it’s great I share this moment with them. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

They say memories are best shared.

How special would it have been for Team Australia players and their 200+ collective family members who were on hand to watch the iconic 8-7 win over Korea?

The win was big enough. To do it with family and friends around? Priceless.

“This is huge,” says Katie, Josh Guyer’s partner. “This is the first time I have been able to travel and support Josh and watch baseball in his first World Baseball Classic. He’s wanted this for so long.”

Josh delivered. He was the closing pitcher in the one run win over the international baseball powerhouse.

His parents were also on hand. Guyer’s father – Gordon – says it just brought flashback of seeing where this journey started.

“[I remember] when he was four, in his second game, playing short stop. He dove across his body and caught one in the glove and he was hooked ever since,” says Gordon. “Now he’s 28 and here.”

Surreal.

“It’s really cool to have family around,” says Josh Guyer. “We put in a lot of hard work – not just for the two weeks we were in Japan early – but over the course of the year and years prior. They are your biggest support network and it’s kind of nice to have them here in person to celebrate the wins together.”

The Australian baseball community is a tight one. Players all have a similar experience growing up playing the game.

Whether you are famous international relief pitcher Liam Hendriks, 20-year-old pitcher Will Sherriff, or an Under-11 infielder learning the game – the baseball journey that starts at a small suburban club is the same.

“I think that’s what makes this so special,” says Australia pitcher Warwick Saupold of the World Baseball Classic experience. “It was drilled into us that the biggest thing you want to do is play for your country. There’s no better feeling…because we’re all mates here. You grow up playing juniors with them and against them. Going through the system with them all…it’s just different.”

Families have to deal with a lot, too. They deal with their sons leaving home to chase a dream overseas, or in another ABL city. There is a lot of sacrifice.

When different baseball families get together, there’s a lot of shared experience to bond over.

“It’s pretty incredible being here with everyone,” says Anna Kennelly, Tims’ wife who came over with their kids. “It’s such a huge sacrifice that the players make and it’s just a proud moment for us – especially having the kids here. We can have them understand what a huge achievement it is to represent your country.”

The Kennelly kids must have been proud when they watched their super dad launch a homer in the fifth inning.

Players wives, partners, kids, parents and family friends made the journey to create the sea of green.

Chants of player names, a chorus of “Aussie Aussie Aussie” and a noticeable eruption every time Australia did something significant filled space in an intense environment at the world famous Tokyo Dome.

The players all say and wish there could be more people here too, and they play for everyone at home.

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But the photos and stories from players reuniting with their families after two weeks of training camp flooded social media. It was special to see. Coffee dates, walks, dinners, and special family times.

There was even a surprise arrival.

Todd Van Steensel’s partner flew in from Mexico to watch. To add another twist, his brother surprised him – and he’s never been to a game.

Todd says he was surprised to see his brother here but was so happy.

“You know everyone’s supporting you but it gives you the little extra boost having that tight knit family group here who are really there for you which is the most special part,” he says.

Sam, Todd’s partner, flew in from Mexico for the game.

“I’ve never experienced something like this. To see the fans have Team Australia play out in front of so many people, it’s a great experience.”

“I watched Todd pitch last month in the ABL finals on TV. He was able to close the game and that was something very special for me and for him.”

Todd’s partner Sam (left), and his mother and brother

Team Australia Manager Dave Nilsson talked a lot in camp about how the players are representing not just their country, but every player that came before, every person that helped them to reach this level, their baseball communities, their family and their supporters.

“It’s the reward. The families put in decades of support that goes unseen and there is only a few time in a player’s career where families can have this hands-on experience,” says Nilsson.

That Aussie spirt is alive in Tokyo.

Georgia Saupold has seen her husband Warwick pitch in the Major Leagues, the KBO, the ABL and two World Baseball Classics. She says this tournament is just different.

“This opportunity doesn’t come around that often,” she says. “When you come together it’s special because you don’t get these families together throughout a normal year. It’s nice to get together and meet new people. To actually be here, to watch, it’s a real privilege – especially because they are playing for their country.”

Australian families will continue their support as the team’s World Baseball Classic campaign continues. Australia (1-0) will face China (0-1) on Saturday 11 March at 2:00PM AEDT.

And there will be a crowd of Aussies to cheer them along.

For more information on Team Australia, visit us at www.baseball.com.au/wbc23