By: Pat Healey

SUMMERSIDE – Summerside continued to be good to Australia on Thursday night as they went to 7-0 (won-lost) thanks to an error-filled, close-calls game against the host Canada before 2,000 fans at the ISF VII Junior Men's World Championship at Queen Elizabeth Park's VIV Field on Prince Edward Island.

With the win the Aussies lock up first place and force a three-way tie between Japan, Canada, and New Zealand at 5-2 heading into action Friday.

One of the possibilities could see three teams – Japan (5-2), New Zealand (5-2), and Canada (5-2) – finish in a three-way tie for third. It could get even stickier, should Japan lose to the United States, which would make both teams 5-3, with the outcome of the New Zealand-Canada game at 7 p.m. deciding where they all finish and who will be eliminated from further play.

Action on Friday will determine who goes where and plays who come the semi-final games on Saturday, for a chance to play Sunday in the bronze game and the gold medal final.

In Thursday's action, Argentina got their second win of the tournament, at the expense of Denmark, 19-0; Japan run-ruled New Zealand, 8-1, in an upset; and the United States used extra innings to put away the pesky Mexicans, 5-3.

Australia took advantage of a Canadian error and close calls by the umpires to remain perfect with a 3-1 win in the final game of day seven. The close calls came after Canada tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth inning, and Canadian head coach Kelly McGiffin became hot after a Canadian player was called out at the plate and a close play at first base that had Aussie Adam Raptis called safe, much to the dismay of the close to 2,000 fans at the park, who thought Chris Lewis had got him out.

There was also a ball that appeared to land in foul territory right on the line in the glove of Mark Lewis.

The Aussies committed a championship-high five fielding errors in the game, which saw just eight hits accounting for four runs.

Leading the Aussies was Raptis (3-for-4, run scored, stolen base, RBI), Ryan Van Coevorden (1-for-2, run scored), and Andrew Ratten (1-for-1).

For Canada, who had an error, Lee Lucas (1-for-4, RBI) and Tyler Hawes (2-for-3, run scored, stolen base) led the charge.

The inning could have been over had Chris Lewis been able to handle a hot squiggler, but he couldn't and the inning continued.

The game had an intense atmosphere between two rivals right from the first pitch of the game as both tried to remain in the top four and hope for a playoff position.

Adam Folkard went the complete game allowing a run on three hits, walking three and fanning 14 in earning the win. Losing pitcher Tyson Barkman went seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out two.

In their game against Denmark today, Argentina scored three runs in the first, before their biggest inning of the championship as they plated 13 before adding three more in the third to pick up their second win of the championship.

Leading Argentina was Emiliano Anea Tristan (2-for-2, two runs scored, two RBI, double), Sebastian Bevilacqua (1-for-1, two runs scored, stolen base), Lucas Latorre (1-for-2, RBI, run scored, double), Jonathan Dorella (1-for-1, two runs scored), Nelson Ruiz Diaz (1-for-1, two RBI), Federico Eder (1-for-3, three runs scored, two RBI, triple, two stolen bases), and Gaston Wilsen (1-for-2, two runs scored, RBI, triple), who did the damage as Argentina scored 19 runs on eight hits with three errors and nine walks.

Frederik Terkelsen (1-for-1, stolen base) was all the never-quit Danes could manage.

Mauricio Boss earned the win with two innings of one-hit ball and five strikeouts, while German Sacks struck out six in two innings of relief.

Terkelsen picked up the loss allowing 10 runs on five hits, walking four, and fanning one in one and one third innings. Valdemar Terkelsen pitched one and two-thirds innings, allowing nine runs on three hits, waking five.

Japan used the small ball and a four-hitter from Toshiyuki Sakamoto to down New Zealand, 8-1, before about 450 fans. The loss was the second straight for the Kiwis, who started off strong at 5-0, but suffered a 1-0 loss to Australia last night.

Leading Japan (5-2), who has a crucial game against the U.S. set for Friday, were Koji Ito (1-for-4, two RBI), Shigeru Higashi (2-for-3, two runs scored, RBI), Takuto Tsutsui (2-for-4, two runs scored, RBI, triple, stolen base), Masaki Sawada (2-for-4, two runs scored, triple), and Norihiko Aoyama (1-for-3, RBI, stolen base).

For the Kiwis (5-2), Bernard Hale (2-for-3, stolen base, RBI), Tyson Byrne (1-for-3, triple, run scored), and Jonathan Munden (1-for-1) led the team.

Sakamoto walked one and struck out four in the win to keep Japan ahead of the United States and almost certainly eliminating Mexico from the mix of making the top four. Losing pitcher Penese Iosefo went five and one third innings, allowing six runs on nine hits, walking two, and striking out five. Aiden Cocker pitched one third of an inning in relief, giving up two runs on three hits and walking one.

In other action, United States designated hitter Camden Decker towered a three run home run in the top of the eighth inning as the United States prevailed 5-3 over Mexico.

Decker (2-for-4, three RBI, run scored, reached on an error), Evan O'Reilly (2-for-3, run scored, home run), Jason Loe (1-for-2, two runs scored, double) were tops as the U.S. scored five runs on six hits.

O'Reilly started the U.S. scoring binge with a solo shot in the third inning. Mexico rallied with a pair of their own in the bottom half of the sixth, sending it to extra innings. The U.S. had Loe start on second base as a result of the international tiebreaker rule.

Mexico, who finishes the tournament at 3-5, will enjoy a well-deserved day off on the last day of play Friday. Jesus Barrerra (2-for-4, RBI), Gustavo Benitez (1-for-4, two runs scored, RBI, home run), and Alonzo Melendez (2-for-4) led the way.

Zach Warne pitched three innings in relief to earn the win, allowing a run on two hits, striking out one. Starter John Kelly went five innings, giving up two runs on seven hits, walking one and fanning two.

Losing pitcher Sergio de la Rosa pitched a complete game, allowing five runs on six hits, walking three, and sitting down two.

Daily recaps
Event website
View event photos