Czech Republic – Spain 7-21 (Box score)
Spain, which edged out South Africa in the opener on Friday, celebrated a lopsided 21-7 victory over Czech Republic on Saturday afternoon to become the first team to advance to the first of two finals on Tuesday evening. Nine runs in the first three innings and twelve alone in the fifth blew the score open. Czechia only was able to avoid the early ending due to 15-run-rule. Edison Valerio hit a couple home runs and drove in six runs. Noelvi Marte had five RBI. Jesus Ustariz also went deep for Spain. Vojtech Mensik, Marek Chlup and Matej Mensik hit home runs for Czechia in the high-scoring affair.
Germany – Great Britain 1-8 (Box score)
Led by home runs from Justin Wylie and Harrison Ford Great Britain beat Germany 8-1 on Saturday evening to win also their second game of the tournament. Wylie went deep in the first to give the British a 3-1 advantage after the first. Germany produced many base runners, but wasn’t getting the crucial hits, as only Aaron Altherr was able to score. Ford and Wylie combined for six RBI. Bruce Maxwell had two hits for Germany. The game at the Armin-Wolf-Baseball-Arena was sold out on Saturday.
Alle information about the World Baseball Classic can be found at www.worldbaseballclassic.com.
Photo by Michael Schöberl