HOUSTON — Squad USA progressed beyond the group stage in the World Baseball Classic and is set to contend with Canada on Friday in the tournament’s elite eight, preventing a calamitous early exit thanks to Italy’s dominant 9-1 triumph over Mexico on Wednesday night.
The Americans’ defeat against Italy on Tuesday, a shocking 8-6 setback, rendered their WBC fate contingent upon the result of Pool B’s conclusive match. An Italy win secured Team USA a berth in the elimination stage, and the Italian squad delivered, spearheaded by captain Vinnie Pasquantino’s inaugural three-homer performance in WBC history and five shutout innings from star pitcher Aaron Nola.
In front of a distinctly pro-Mexico audience of 39,894 at Daikin Park, Italy maintained its perfect streak through the tournament. This performance arranged a confrontation with Puerto Rico here Saturday night, vying for a spot in the semifinals.
Consisting of youthful, gifted Italian-Americans — many playing in the major leagues, with others being highly-rated prospects in the higher minor league tiers — Italy overwhelmed Mexico. This was achieved with a second-inning unaccompanied long ball from Pasquantino, a fourth-frame blast from veteran Jon Berti, and a three-run fifth inning that virtually secured Team USA’s progression.
Should a three-team deadlock occur, the two teams that conceded the least number of runs per recorded out would proceed. Italy accumulating five tallies in the first five innings would have necessitated the game extending deep into extra frames to lower both squads’ run averages beneath those of the United States.
Pasquantino, the Kansas City Royals’ powerful first baseman and one of the primary talent scouts for the Italian team, rendered the prior scenario irrelevant. Despite being hitless upon entering the match in 12 at-bats, he launched another long ball in the sixth inning and smashed his third long ball of the evening over the right-field barrier to extend Italy’s advantage to 8-1. Pasquantino had never achieved three round-trippers in a major league game.
Italy accumulated one additional point and rejoiced while Squad USA exhaled with alleviation, remaining in contention in a tournament it commenced with a more skilled roster than any prior WBC iteration. The Americans are anticipated to field San Francisco right-hander Logan Webb in the quarterfinals, while Canada intends to respond with Arizona right-hander Michael Soroka.
Canada secured its position in the elite eight with consecutive victories against Puerto Rico and Cuba, thereby rising to the summit of Group A.