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Solomon Maguire let his play do the talking in Australia’s 9-2 win over South Africa on the final day of the World Cup.

Australia’s centerfielder went 2-for-4 with a home run, four runs batted in and a diving catch.

He had enough game changing moments today to create his own highlight reel, but Maguire says the team wanted to leave the tournament with a statement.

“After we had a few tough loses in the last few days it was easy for any of us to check out and think of home time,” he says. “I was impressed by the team today and shows the fight our country has no matter the situation. That’s what gives us continuous chances at all tournaments over and over again.”
Maguire may have played the leading role but there were contributions from everywhere. All nine players in the starting nine reached base. Four pitchers combined to allow five hits.

It wasn’t easy – at least early. South Africa took an early 1-0 lead.

Maguire installed an Australian advantage with a two-out, 2-RBI single up the middle in the bottom of the second to give Australia their first lead.

Australia muscled in a six run third inning to soar ahead 9-2. Maguire punctuated the damaging frame with a two-run homer.
He left his final signature on the game – and the tournament – by making an incredible diving catch in the outfield to end the game.

Maguire was quick to credit his teammates.

“Tournament play is about trusting what we have. Our whole team is good enough to get the job done in any of the situations that were presented in front of us,” he says. “I was lucky enough that my trust led to me helping out of team when we needed it.”

Once Australia had the lead they made sure not to relinquish it. Some tidy defense and excellent work from the pitching staff closed the door.

Left-handed pitcher Conor Myles was particularly impressive. In his third appearance of the tournament, Myles tossed 3.0 innings with five strike outs and no runs.

He finishes the tournament as Australia’s pitching leader: 7.0 innings with no runs allowed.

Chris Burke and Cayden Nicoletto joined Maguire with two hits.

Australia used four pitchers in the win – Zak Elvy, Dylan Clarke, Conor Myles and Lachlan Brook.

The big win marks the end of Australia’s World Cup campaign – with a 4-4 record vs eight different countries. They will finish ninth in the World Cup, and pick up a projected 207 World Ranking Points.

You can read about the game flow below.

BOX SCORE: Stats, scores & play-by-play
U23 WORLD CUP HUB: All your Team Australia news
WBSC PAGE: Official WBSC U23 World Cup Page

PLACEMENT ROUND STANDINGS

7. Netherlands 4-1
8. Chinese Taipei 4-1
9. Australia 3-2
10. Colombia 2-3
11. South Africa 1-4
12. Great Britain 1-4

Game Recap – As It Happened

After teams traded scoreless innings, South Africa struck first in the second.

They barely had to put a ball in play. Zak Elvy walked two batters before Dylan Clarke entered in relief. A pair more of walks, and South Africa scored a run thanks to four base on balls.

Australia responded with a two-out rally in the bottom of the second.

A single to Cayden Nicoletto, walk to Jake Burns and a Ben Fierenzi hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. Solomon Maguire knocked in a pair of runs with a checked swing that deflected the ball up the middle for a 2-RBI single.

Fierenzi scored on a double steal attempt to push the score to 3-1.

South Africa pegged one back in the top of the third.

But Australia did the bulk of their day’s damage in the bottom of the third.

Australia played six runs, punctuated by a two-run Solomon Maguire, to steam ahead.

Cayden Nicoletto started the scoring by driving in a run with an RBI double that was cranked off the top of the wall. JAKE BURNS followed with an RBI single.

Australia scored on a wild pitch and passed ball to push the score to 7-2. That’s when Maguire blew it open with his two-run homer – his second long ball in as many days and fourth RBI of the afternoon.

From there, it was one for the pitchers.

Conor Myles was particularly impressive, going 3.0 innings with five strike outs and no runs. Lachlan Brook pitched a clean final inning, helped by an amazing Solomon Maguire diving catch.

FINAL SCORE: Australia 9 def South Africa 2

Some pretty defensive plays, excellent bullpen work, and a pair of homers wasn’t enough for Australia as Chinese Taipei took Friday’s Placement Round game.

The win drops Australia’s record to 2-2 in the Placement Round with one game to play vs South Africa. Chinese Taipei improves to 3-1.

Australia’s opponent did all their scoring in the second inning. They rattled off four runs and Australia was on the back foot early.

Zak Skinner’s third inning solo shot and Solomon Maguire’s two-run bomb in the fifth accounted for Australia’s scoring. But that’s all she wrote for Australia, who out hit the Taiwanese by 6-5.

There were numerous nice defensive plays in the field, including Maguire throwing a runner out at home and some smooth infield work by BJay Cooke & Jo Stevens.

Australia’s bullpen of Stuart Tharle, Will Sherriff, Josh Beezley, and Lachlan Brook combined to toss 5.1 relief innings, allowing three hits, no walks and and seven strikeouts.

Chinese Taipei starting pitcher Jia-Hue Zeng turned in an almighty effort. He allowed just two hits in 4.0 innings and the lone run.

It’s the second one run loss in as many days for Australia, who fell 3-2 to Netherlands yesterday.

Australia will look to finish strong with a game vs South Africa tomorrow at 12:00PM AEST>

BOX SCORE: Stats, scores & play-by-play
U23 WORLD CUP HUB: All your Team Australia news
WBSC PAGE: Official WBSC U23 World Cup Page

Other Placement Round Scores
Day 7: Colombia 12 def South Africa 3….Great Britain 2 def Netherlands 1

PLACEMENT ROUND STANDINGS

7. Netherlands 3-1
8. Chinese Taipei 3-1
9. Australia 2-2
10. Colombia 2-2
11. South Africa 1-3
12. Great Britain 1-3

Game Recap – As It Happened

Taiwan scored first.

They put up a crooked number in the second, scoring four runs. A pair of walks and a hit-by-pitch put runners on all the bases with no outs.

Australian starter Ali Tanner was able to strike out a couple batters, but Chinese Taipei scored thanks to singles from Heng-Yu Ho and Chun-Wei Liu.

Four runs crossed the plate in total. It spelled the end of the day for Tanner, with Stuart Tharle taking the reins.

Zak Skinner crunched a solo shot to start the second to try to ignite the Aussie offence, but it remained their only hit until….

Australia’s defense tried to hold them in it.

Solomon Maguire threw out a runner at home from centre to help Australia complete a double-play and escape the third without allowing a run.

In the fourth, Will Sherriff entered the game with two runners on and one-out. He worked a strike-out and a ground ball to escape with no damage.

He also pitched a clean fifth. Sherriff’s final line read: 1.2 innings, 0 hits, 1 walk and no runs.

Chinese Taipei starter Jia-Hue Zeng finished his afternoon pitching 4.0 innings allowing two hits, two walks and just the lone run.

Kuan-Ying Chen took the ball from there.

Australia wasted little time to strike back closer. Solomon Maguire crunched a two-run shot of Chen over the right-field wall to move the scoreline to 4-3.

Josh Beezley then entered the game as the fourth Australian reliever of the game. He manoeuvred through 1.1 innings, registering three strikeouts, one walk and no runs.

Lachlan Brook took the baton from there – recording two outs including a big strikeout in the seventh with a runner in scoring position.

Australia went down in order in the seventh.

Australia outhit Chinese Taipei 6-5.

FINAL SCORE: Chinese Taipei 4 – Australia 3

Please note: from the original roster published on August 19 there have been the following changes.  ON: RHP Zak Elvy, RHP Blake Barlow, LHP Conor Myles & LHP Lachlan Brook…OFF: LHP Blake Townsend, LHP Kailen Hamson, RHP Adam Bates, RHP Jack Waters. The new additions profiles have been updated in each respective position.

Team Australia has named its squad ready to compete in the 2024 Under-23 Baseball World Cup in September in China.

From September 6-15, 24 Australians from across the country will battle it out in the 12-team competition.

Australia finished sixth in the last Under-23 World Cup in 2022.

This particular team is rich with depth and international experience.

Of the 24 players on the initial announcement:
– 9 return from the 2022 U23 squad;
– 2 competed in the World Baseball Classic;
– 6 have played in the Asia Professional Baseball Championships;
– 12 played in an U18 World Cup;
– 6 have played NCAA Division 1 baseball;
– 7 have played minor league baseball in the USA;
– 16 have Australian Baseball League (ABL) experience;

Team Australia worked closely with MLB professional clubs, colleges, coaches and athletes with regards to their availability for the September tournament.

Australia’s Under-23 manager Shayne Watson says the depth and talent of the team will be a strength.

“There’s a lot of familiarity between the squad already because so many of them either grew up with each other or played with each other,” he says. “I think we’ll be able to come together as one collective, confident group.”

Australia has nine players returning from a sixth placed finish at the 2022 Under-23 World Cup, and ten from the team who finished fourth at the 2019 U18 World Cup.

“We have a lot of pure athleticism, a lot of talent and a lot of depth,” Watson adds. “We have confidence in all the players.”

Australia is scheduled to arrive September 4 in China ahead of their first tournament game on September 6.

Fans will be able to watch on WBSC’s streaming platform called GameTime Sport.

Australia is in Group A with Colombia, Puerto Rico, Japan, Great Britain and China. They will need to finish in the Top 3 of their group to advance to the Super Round – a place ten of these players ventured to in the 2022 World Cup.

“This team is an important part of the Team Australia journey and our goals internationally,” says Watson. “The goal for everyone is to play well and win.”

Among the return players is 23-year-old Chris Burke. He brings six seasons of ABL, three years in the minor leagues, and an Under-23 World Cup batting champion to the fold.

“As a collective group, the expectations are to come home with Gold,” says Burke. “We’ve been so close in previous years but it’s time to rewrite the narrative that we haven’t won at the Under 23s level. We have the group to do it.”

Burke says the make-up of both the coach and playing group gives him confidence.

“This group feels special. The coach and playing group have considerable experiences at the world, professional and college stages. Each of the players I know has the will to win and we’ll put that on display in China next month,” he says. “It’s very exciting.”

Team Australia will be guided by manager Shayne Watson, pitching coach Josh Tols, and assistants Damian Shanahan and Nathan Van Der Linden.

Watson has experience on the senior national team squad, and is the current head coach of the Brisbane Bandits. Shanahan is a longtime member of Team Australia’s coaching staff and is a coach with the Melbourne Aces.

Josh Tols makes his Team Australia coaching debut after spending nearly a decade as a pitcher with the senior squad. He is the current pitching coach of the Adelaide Giants and in the Minnesota Twins’ minor leagues.

Nathan Van Der Linden also makes his national team coaching debut. He was an assistant coach with the Adelaide Giants in 2023-24 and a long time ABL player.

Coaches: Shayne Watson (Manager), Damian Shanahan (Assistant Coach), Josh Tols (Pitching), Nathan Van Der Linden (Assistant)

Staff: Robert Moden, Kevin Rand

C – Jake Burns (Junior Club: Cronulla (Giants), NSW) – 21-year-old Burns makes his U23 national team debut. He previously represented Australia at the 2023 APBC, the 2019 U18 World Cup, and at the Little League World Series. Burns spend two seasons as a professional player in the St. Louis Cardinals organisation.

C – Zak Skinner (Junior Club: Preston Pirates, VIC)  – 22-year-old Skinner is coming off a standout year at Lamar University in NCAA Division I where he hit .339 with a .994 OPS. He transferred to Lamar after lighting up the junior college circuit at Vernon College. Skinner has not played in a World Cup before but has played for Australia in an U18 exhibition series vs Canada.

1B – Blake Cavill (Junior Club: Cronulla, NSW) – 22-year-old Cavill just had a season where he hit .313 with eight homers and 47 RBI in NCAA Div. 1 for Western Kentucky. He has experience at the 2019 U18 World Cup and is coming off a season with Falmouth in one of the best summer college leagues in the USA.

INF – Byron Armstrong (Junior Club: Wanneroo Giants, WA): 23-year-old Armstrong is a versatile infielder who has played parts of three seasons with the Perth Heat in the Australian Baseball League. Armstrong played a crucial role in Australia’s fourth place finish at the 2019 Under-18 World Cup.

INF – Jo Stevens (Junior Club: Hornsby, NSW): Stevens is coming off a red-hot season with Purdue University in the NCAA. He hit .307 and was a mainstay in the infield. He just signed a contract with his hometown Sydney Blue Sox where he will make his ABL debut this summer. Stevens played for Australia at the 2019 U18 World Cup.

INF – BJay Cooke (Junior Club: Swan Districts, WA): 21-year-old Cooke is in his third season as a professional with the Oakland Athletics. He’s played mostly in Single-A this season, his first full healthy season in the minor leagues. Cooke has shown versatility playing multiple positions. He has experience with the Perth Heat. He returns for a second U23 World Cup.

INF – Ben Fierenzi (Junior Club: Cheltenham, VIC) – 22-year-old Fierenzi hit .324 with Long Island in NCAA Div. 1 competition this year. He had 10 stolen bases in 42 games. Previously he had a standout career with Arizona Western Junior College. This is Fierenzi’s Team Australia debut.

UTIL – Jaylin Rae (Junior Club: Manly, NSW) – 23-year-old Rae returns for his second U23 World Cup campaign. Rae hit .274 in his final year of NCAA Div. 1 Baseball with Western Kentucky. He has experience with the Sydney Blue Sox and has signed on for the upcoming ABL season. Rae, known for his athleticism, has also played for Australia at the 2019 U18 World Cup.

OF – Chris Burke (Junior Club: Waverley, VIC) – 22-year-old Burke is back for a second U23 World Cup Campaign after he took home the Batting Champion award in the 2022 campaign. He brings a lot of experience. Burke has six seasons of ABL experience with the Melbourne Aces and three years of minor league time with the Phillies and Royals. Burke also played for Australia at the U18 World Cup and the 2023 APBC.

OF – Solomon Maguire (Junior Club: Castle Hill, NSW) – A second U23 World Cup for 21-year-old Maguire, who is in his first season of minor league baseball in a level above Rookie Ball. He’s playing every day for Class-A Bradenton (Pirates) but is making a name for himself by making tremendous defensive plays in centrefield. Maguire, a mainstay in the Sydney Blue Sox line up, has experience playing for Australia at the 2022 Sapporo Series vs Samurai Japan. He has experience with Australia at a U23, U18, U15 and U12 World Cup.

OF – Alex Skepton (Junior Club: Windsor Royals, QLD) – 23-year-old Skepton plays for the Brisbane Bandits was perhaps the story of the ABL season in 2023-24. He hit for a .330 average with 8 homers and 23 RBI, taking home Rookie of the Year honours and was a finalist for league MVP. Skepton played for Australia at the 2023 APBC and the 2019 U18 World Cup.

OF – Cayden Nicoletto (Junior Club: Rockingham, WA) – 22-year-old Nicoletto had a season to remember in the NAIA in the US College system this year. He hit .412 with an outstanding 27 homers in 55 games with Colombia College Cougars in 2024. Nicoletto’s performance earned him a transfer to strong NCAA Div. 1 Baseball school Missouri for 2025.

RHP – Adam Bates (Junior Club: Macarthur, NSW) – 19-year-old Bates pitched for Australia at the last two U18 World Cups and his performance earned him a contract with the Boston Red Sox. He has a sub-4.00 ERA in his first year of Rookie Ball. Bates also has experience with the Sydney Blue Sox in the ABL.

RHP – Dylan Clarke Junior Club: Penrith, NSW)– 22-year-old Clarke has pitched the last two seasons with the Sydney Blue Sox. He has Team Australia experience at the 2023 APBC and the 2022 U23 World Cup.

RHP – Kieren Hall (Junior Club: Morley, WA) – 23-year-old Hall made his ABL debut in 2023 with the Perth Heat. Hall also pitched two years of Division 1 NCAA baseball at Evansville College. Hall has experience at the 2023 APBC and 2019 U18 World Cup.

RHP – Ky Jackson (Junior Club: Ku-Ring-Gai Stealers, NSW) – Jackson has been playing baseball in Japan’s Industrial League for the last couple years, tapping into his Japanese heritage. Jackson plays for the Nippon Express. He was on the last U23 World Cup team and the 2019 U18 World Cup team.

RHP – Maddux Stivey (Junior Club: Swan Districts, WA) – 20-year-old Stivey spent last season in Junior College pitching with San Jacinto. He pitched at the last U23 World Cup in 2022 as one of the younger members of the team. He made his ABL-debut as a 16-year-old with the Perth Heat.

RHP – Ali Tanner (Junior Club: Kensington Cardinals, SA): 18-year-old Tanner is the youngest member of the squad. He starred for Australia at the 2023 U18 World Cup and soon committed to powerhouse NCAA Div 1 school Arizona State. He pitched four scoreless ABL innings for the Adelaide Giants this past season.

RHP – Jack Waters (Junior Club: Coomera Cubs, QLD) – 23-year-old Waters returns for his second appearance at an U23 World Cup. He just finished his first year at Eastern Kentucky University in NCAA Division 1 where he tossed 27.0 innings.

RHP – Stuart Tharle (Junior Club: Kambah Eagles,  ACT) – 21-year-old Tharle just finished a standout Junior College season at Three Rivers University where he was relied on for 48.2 innings of work. He’s pitched for the Canberra Cavalry in the ABL before.

RHP – Josh Beezley (NSW) – The 22-year-old was added to the Australian roster on August 26 and brings with him impressive relief pitching numbers from college. In 2024 at Little Rock Arkansas University in NCAA Division I, Beezley appeared in 21 games, all out of the bullpen, posting a 4.85 ERA in a hitter-friendly conference in 39.0 innings pitched. He often pitched high-leverage situations for the Trojans.

LHP – Kailen Hamson (Junior Club: Redlands, QLD) – Hamson had a breakout season this year with the Cumberland Patriots in the NAIA of US college baseball. The lefty produced 79 strikeouts in 56 innings. This tournament will be Hamson’s Team Australia debut.

LHP – Cooper Morgan (Junior Club: Weston Creek, ACT) – In Morgan’s debut season in the NAIA with Cumberland Patriots, he compiled a 4-1 record with a 4.03 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 38.1 innings.  He was on the 2019 U18 World Cup Team.

LHP – Will Sherriff  (Junior Club: South Perth) – One of the more experienced players on the World Cup squad. Sherriff pitched for Australia at the 2023 World Baseball Classic vs Japan in front of sold out Tokyo Dome crowd. He pitched again for Australia at the 2023 APBC. Sherriff was part of the 2019 U18 National squad, is a former affiliate player with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a long-time member of the Perth Heat. He is currently training with the Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan.

LHP – Blake Townsend (Junior Club: Traralgon Red Sox, VIC) – Update: Townsend is no longer able to play for Australia at the World Cup due to requirements with his new professional team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. 23-year-old Townsend, a return member from the 2022 U23 squad, brings World Baseball Classic experience to the fray. He also pitched five seasons in the Seattle Mariners minor leagues. His last season, in 2024, he accumulated a 2.40 ERA. Townsend has three seasons experience with the Melbourne Aces and is signed to the Adelaide Giants.

UPDATE – THURSDAY 29 AUGUST

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond control, Blake Townsend (Pirates), Kailen Hamson and Adam Bates are no longer able to partake in the Under 23 World Cup.

UPDATE – September 3 – Unfortunately Jack Waters has sustained an injury and is no longer available.

Their replacements are:

RHP – Josh Beezley (NSW) – The 22-year-old was added to the Australian roster on August 26 and brings with him impressive relief pitching numbers from college. In 2024 at Little Rock Arkansas University in NCAA Division I, Beezley appeared in 21 games, all out of the bullpen, posting a 4.85 ERA in a hitter-friendly conference in 39.0 innings pitched. He often pitched high-leverage situations for the Trojans.

LHP – Conor Myles (Junior Club: Cheltenham Rustlers, VIC) – Myles played two seasons of Junior College at Odessa in Texas, where he compiled a career .331 average. He transferred to NCAA program University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) where he converted to a pitcher. Myles appeared in 19 games out of the bullpen striking out 17 batters in his first full year as a pitcher.

LHP – Lachlan Brook (Junior Club: Macarthur Orioles) – A product of the NSW baseball system, 21-year-old Brook impressed as a development player with the Sydney Blue Sox in 2024. He pushed his way into the regular bullpen options for the Sox, pitching 4.2 scoreless innings in the last half of the season and has dominated locally in club ball.

RHP – Zak Elvy – The New South Welshman has experience pitching for Cochise Junior College in the United States. He pitched for Australia at the Under-23 World Cup qualifiers last December.