USA win U-18 Men’s Softball Pan Am Championship, qualify for World Cup with Venezuela, Canada, Argentina
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<p>The top four Americas teams in the <a href="https://rankings.wbsc.org/en/list/softball/men"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WBSC Men’s Softball World Rankings</span></strong></a> - Argentina, Canada, USA, Venezuela - secured their place in the <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2023-u18-mens-softball-world-cup/home" target="_blank">WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup</a></span></strong> - to be held in Hermosillo, Mexico, from 11 to 19 November - by finishing in the top four at the Pan Am Championship in Sincelejo, Colombia. <br><br>World No. 5 USA defeated No. 8 Venezuela in the final , while Canada overcame Argentina in the bronze medal game.</p>
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<p>After the round robin, USA and Venezuela tied in first place with a 4-1 record and moved to the final game. Argentina and Canada posted a 3-2 record and qualified for the bronze medal game. The four teams booked this way their ticket to the World Cup.</p>
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<p>In the final, USA beat Venezuela, 6-1, to finish on top of the podium. The U.S. combined for seven hits in the gold medal victory – three of which came in the bottom of the first inning – with Logan Boom tallying the only multi-hit performance at the plate with two base hits. </p>
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<p>Getting the start in the circle for the champions was Cody Gibbons who limited the Venezuela offence to three hits through seven innings while tossing his way to a career-high 15 strikeouts. Gibbons was named the MVP of the tournament.</p>
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<p>In the game for the bronze medal, Canada came out victorious from a pitching duel against Argentina with a 1-0, eight inning win. Cohen Christner went the distance for Canada. </p>
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<p>The hosts Colombia beat Peru 9-7 in the fifth-place playoff.</p>
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<p>USA, Venezuela, Canada and Argentina will play the WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico, from 11 to 19 November. They join No. 2 Australia, No. 3 Japan, No. 6 Czechia, No. 7 New Zealand, No. 10 Mexico (hosts), No. 12 Singapore and No. 17 Israel in the competition, with one wild card still to be awarded.</p>
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<p>The tournament will be played at Mundialistas Hermosillenses Stadium and Fernando M. Ortiz Field.</p>
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