China beat Australia, earn historic Super Round berth
World No. 24 China defeated No. 15 Australia, 4-1, and earned a historic WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024 Super Round qualification. China had never been in the top six of a WBSC Baseball World Cup.
The hosts played solid game behind masterful left-hander Wei Zhao and made the most of four hits.
Australia took the lead in the top of the second. Jo Stevens turned the first pitch from left-hander Wei Zhao into a triple and scored when Zakary Skinner singled on the following pitch.
Chinese shortstop Yi Zhou homered on the first offering by Aussie starter Ky Jackson to lead off the bottom of the second and tie the game.
Zakary Skinner singled to lead off the fifth, becoming the first runner to reach base since the end of the second. Zhao retired the side in order to end the at-bat.
Aiqi Zhang became the second Chinese runner to reach base when he led off the bottom half of the frame with a single. China bunted him to second.
Jackson loaded the bases with back-to-back walks. After a coach visit, China scored on Shuai Wang's chopper to the left side, but Stevens at third prevented more damage with a diving stop.
It was it for Jackson and Australia handed the ball to left-hander William Sheriff to face lefty Xudong Zhu. The reliever's first pitch went away from the catcher's glove for a passed ball and caused a run. Zhu perfectly executed a bunt on Sheriff's second offering, squeezing in the 4-1 run.
Zhao faced only three batters in the top of the sixth.
Left-hander Xiang Wang took the mound for the seventh. He allowed an infield hit to first baseman Cavill Blake, then retired the side in order and earned the save.
In the Super Round China will start with a 0-2 record. Australia will compete for placement.