Men's Softball World Cup Day 3 - Live Blog: ARG 1-3 NZL; Japan leads Denmark 3-0; Australia beat Venezuela 6-0; Cuba hold off Philippines 3-1; Czech Republic beat USA 6-3; Canada too good for South Africa 11-0

<!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Czech Republic beat five-time champions USA for the first time in a World Cup. George Harris pulls of a stunning catch.</li><li>Canada, Japan and Australia also win. </li><li>Cuba beat Philippines 3-1 with the world No. 21 scoring their first run of the tournament.</li><li>After a rain-hit Sunday, Monday is sunny and dry. <a href="https://www.metservice.com/towns-cities/regions/auckland/locations/north-shore"><strong>Weather Forecast</strong></a></li><li>Australia, USA, Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba and Canada all won on Day Two. Read the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/news/mens-softball-world-cup-2022-day-2-live-blog"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Day Two blog here</span></strong></a>.</li><li>Six games per day over two fields</li><li>12 teams split into two groups. Top three teams from each group advance to the Super Round</li><li>Seven time champions New Zealand, title holders Argentina and five-time winners USA in Group A</li><li>Five of the top-11 teams in Group B</li><li><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/home"><strong>Tournament Website</strong></a></li><li>Watch Live on&nbsp;<a href="https://gametime.sport/"><strong>GameTime.Sport</strong></a></li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Day 3 Schedule</span></strong></a><br>Canada 11-0 South Africa <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/103041"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Box Score and Photos</span></strong></a><br>USA 3-6 Czech Republic <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/103042"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Box Score and Photos</span></strong></a><br>Cuba 3-1 Philippines <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/103043"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Box Score and Photos</span></strong></a><br>Venezuela 0-6 Australia <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/103044"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Box Score and Photos</span></strong></a><br>Denmark 0-3 Japan <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/103045"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Play by Play</span></strong></a><br>Argentina 1-3 New Zealand <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/103046"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Play by Play</span></strong></a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Group A Standings</strong>: Argentina 2-0; USA 2-1; Cuba 2-1; New Zealand 1-1; Czech Republic 1-2; Philippines 0-3<br><strong>Group B Standings</strong>: Canada 3-0; Australia 3-0; Japan 2-1; Venezuela 1-2; Denmark 0-3; South Africa 0-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Argentina v New Zealand</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wow, first pitch from Daniel Chapman and Alan Peker homers over centre field. But cometh the an, cometh the hour. Black Sox skipper Cole Evans replies with his first swing to tie the game up at 1-1. Thomas Enoka then also repeated the feet to score his brother Ben who was previously walked to stretch the lead to 3-1 putting star Argentinian pitcher Huemul Mata.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Japan v Denmark</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things were looking ominous for Denmark with Kaisuke Kitazawa and Ryoyu Une scoring off a Yusuke Morita single to right field in the first innings. But Demark dug in and fought toe to toe with the world No. 2. It was only in the fifth innings when Yusuke Sakuraba scored after a triple to left centre.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Venezuela v Australia</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off the back of a tight 3-2 loss to four-time champions Canada and a 12-1 win over South Africa, world No. 9 Venezuela were expected to give Australia a good contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>World No. 4 were on a high after a sensational come-from-behind 6-5 win over Japan in extra innings on Sunday and a 7-0 win over Denmark on day one, and they started superbly with three runs in the bottom of the third forcing a pitching change for Venezuela - Eudomar Toyo replacing Erick Urbaneja. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:ve30/twitter-iframe {"url":"https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597076915591868417"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-ve30-twitter-iframe twitter-tweet" allowtransparency="0" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" width="auto"><a href="https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597076915591868417"></a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:ve30/twitter-iframe --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toyo seemed to have tightened things up but soon got rattled, loading the bases on a wild pitch with a full count. Marshall Kronk then singled to right centre, scoring Julian Jemmott and Callum Beashel to put Australia up 5-0 in the bottom of the second.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jemmott batted in Hayden Mathews to take the lead to 6-0, a lead which Australia kept thanks to a no hitter Jack Besgrove. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/news/australias-jack-besgrove-tosses-no-hitter-in-6-0-win-over-venezuela"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Read Match Report</span></strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Cuba v Philippines</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a close defeat to Argentina and a win over the Czech Republic, world No. 12 Cuba were expected to be too good for the winless Philippines, ranked 21st in the world, however the first three innings proved very cagey. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It took a Yesander Rodriquez homer to centre field to score Anibal Vaillant to put Cuba 2-0 ahead in the top of the third inning and with Alain Roman on fire on the mound, having given up no hits and striking out eight batters across four innings, it looked like Cuba was taking the ascendency.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:ve30/twitter-iframe {"url":"https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597056831456776194"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-ve30-twitter-iframe twitter-tweet" allowtransparency="0" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" width="auto"><a href="https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597056831456776194"></a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:ve30/twitter-iframe --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the Philippines, who lost this game 11-2 at the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup 2019, fought their way back into the game, celebrating their first run of the tournament with Julius Diaz, who had stolen second base, stealing home on a passed ball in the bottom of the fifth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:ve30/twitter-iframe {"url":"https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597064409255661568"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-ve30-twitter-iframe twitter-tweet" allowtransparency="0" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" width="auto"><a href="https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597064409255661568"></a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:ve30/twitter-iframe --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rodriquez scored again in the top of the sixth to give new pitcher Guber Plutin a further insurance run before Cuba closed it out for their second win of the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/news/yesander-rodriguezs-homer-powers-cuban-3-1-win-over-philippines"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Read Match Report</span></strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>USA v Czech Republic</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Solid start from Czech Republic's Michael Holobradek with one hit in the first inning before Mikulas Klas scored for Czech Republic on a Vojtech Buchner single un the middle. Marek Maly tried to get home as well from second but was tagged out at home. Czech Republic up 1-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:ve30/twitter-iframe {"url":"https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597029990075609088"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-ve30-twitter-iframe twitter-tweet" allowtransparency="0" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" width="auto"><a href="https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597029990075609088"></a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:ve30/twitter-iframe --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Centre fielder then homers over centre field to put the world No. 5 up 2-0 over the five-time champs. That called for a pitching change with Jon Gwizdala, who opened for USA against New Zealand on Sunday, coming in for Jerlin Rutt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some sloppy fielding from USA saw Czech Republic extend the lead to two. Lukas Kubat singled to shortstop but then made it to second after there was no one on second base. The next play, Marek Volf tripled to right field scoring Kubat. Czech Republic up 3-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Czech Republic playing on fire, a superb diving catch in centre field from George Harris in the top of the third kept the score at 3-0. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:ve30/twitter-iframe {"url":"https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597038419045404673"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-ve30-twitter-iframe twitter-tweet" allowtransparency="0" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" width="auto"><a href="https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597038419045404673"></a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:ve30/twitter-iframe --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ron Hackett called another pitching change, bringing in USA's hero against New Zealand Bradley Kilpatrick but that didn't change the Czech Republic's momentum.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Tomas Klein homer which hit the top of the right field fence scored Martin Magula and Mikulas Klas for the Czech Republic in the bottom of the fourth to put them insight of their first ever win over the US at a World Cup. The two countries have played four times previously with USA prevailing in 2013 (at Rosedale Park), 2004, 2000 and 1996.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:ve30/twitter-iframe {"url":"https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597045705155436545"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-ve30-twitter-iframe twitter-tweet" allowtransparency="0" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" width="auto"><a href="https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597045705155436545"></a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:ve30/twitter-iframe --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jonathan Lynch pulled one back with a homer over centre field before Yusef Davis singled for Zachary Shaw to get home and suddenly the Czech Republic's lead was cut to 6-2. Erick Ochoa scored in the seventh on a Matt Palazzo double but the Europeans were soon celebrating after Jonathan Lynch flew out for a famous victory. A victory where pitcher Michal Holobradek went the distance, allowing eight hits, three runs and three walks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/news/michal-holobradek-goes-the-distance-to-pitch-czech-republic-past-usa-6-3-in-historic-win"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Read Match Report</span></strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>South Africa v Canada</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rosedale Park was bathed in lovely sunshine as South Africa, ranked 11th in the world, took on four time champions Canada on Field 2. Canada, who won this contest 10-4 at the 2019 Men's Softball World Cup, were up 1-0 in the first before Colin Walsh hit his second homer of the tournament, just out of reach of left fielder Mandla Matswenyane in the top of the second.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:ve30/twitter-iframe {"url":"https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597008128134230016"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-ve30-twitter-iframe twitter-tweet" allowtransparency="0" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" width="auto"><a href="https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597008128134230016"></a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:ve30/twitter-iframe --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cory Jones and Tyler Pauli also scored in the second innings to give the world No. 3 a 4-0 lead after two. Ty Sebastian was on fire on the mound, keeping the South African batters quiet with no hits, six strikeouts and one walk across two innings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Canada scored two more in the third with Colin Walsh scoring a second and Ryan Boland also crossing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A right field line drive from Justin Laskowski scored Pauli and Boland in the top of the fifth to extend the lead to 9-0. Derek Mayson then singled to deep left field to score Quinten Bruce and Laskowski to put Canada ahead 11-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Sebastian continued his great form, completing a no hitter, with 12 strikeouts as Canada wrapped up the win 11-0 via the run-ahead-rule in the fifth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:ve30/twitter-iframe {"url":"https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597007141293813760"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-ve30-twitter-iframe twitter-tweet" allowtransparency="0" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" width="auto"><a href="https://twitter.com/WBSC/status/1597007141293813760"></a></blockquote> <!-- /wp:ve30/twitter-iframe --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stunning day's play on Sunday with plenty of drama throughout. Rain delays, lead changes, massive home runs and record scores was the order of Sunday. Looking forward to more of the same on Monday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/news/canada-beat-south-africa-11-0-behind-sebastians-dominant-pitching"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Read Match Report</span></strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results"><strong>Day 2 Results</strong></a><br>Cuba beat Czech Republic 7-0&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/103035" target="_blank">Box Score and Photos</a></strong><br>Denmark beat Canada 10-0&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbsc.org/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/103036"><strong>Box Score and Photos</strong></a><br>Venezuela beat South Africa 12-1&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/103037"><strong>Box Score and Photos</strong></a><br>USA beat New Zealand 7-0&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/103038"><strong>Box Score and Photos</strong></a><br>Argentina beat Philippines 6-0&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/103039"><strong>Box Score and Photos</strong></a><br>Australia 6-5 Japan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2022-mens-softball-world-cup/schedule-and-results/box-score/103040"><strong>Box Score and Photos</strong></a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->