Japan, USA Remain Unbeaten as Five Teams Qualify for U-15 Baseball World Cup Super Round
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Japan and the United States continued their unbeaten runs at the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2026, with five teams securing places in the Super Round after Day Four of the tournament.
Japan defeated hosts Mexico 5-4 in a closely contested Group A match in Merida. Yuma Yamaguchi hit the decisive single in the bottom of the seventh inning to give Japan its fourth consecutive victory.
Japan improved to 4-0, while Mexico finished the opening round at 3-1. The Dominican Republic also moved to 3-1 after a 28-0 victory over South Africa. As a result, Japan, Mexico and the Dominican Republic secured the three available Super Round places from Group A.
Germany also recorded a notable result by defeating two-time world champions Cuba 3-2. Both Germany and Cuba now have 1-3 records, while South Africa remain winless at 0-4.
USA Secure Top Spot in Group B
In Cancun, the United States maintained its perfect record with a 7-1 victory over Chinese Taipei.
The win took the USA to 4-0 and confirmed the team as the top finisher in Group B. Chinese Taipei, despite the defeat, secured second place and also advanced to the Super Round with a 3-1 record.
The remaining qualification spot from Group B will be decided on the final day of the Opening Round.
Nicaragua kept its hopes alive by defeating Australia 17-5. The result moved Nicaragua to 2-2, while Australia dropped to 1-3.
Venezuela also improved its chances after recovering from a six-run deficit to beat Czechia 11-6. Venezuela scored 11 unanswered runs and moved to 2-2, leaving the qualification race open ahead of the final day.
Nicaragua Overpower Australia
Nicaragua produced a strong offensive performance against Australia, collecting 19 hits in the 17-5 victory.
The Nicaraguan side scored five runs in the opening inning and added another five in the second. Australia briefly reduced the deficit with a four-run fifth inning, making the score 8-5.
Nicaragua responded with five runs in the sixth inning and four more in the seventh to secure the victory.
Gabriel Mejia went 4-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs, while Edrian Solorzano also recorded four hits, along with two RBIs and four runs. Diego Vanegas contributed three hits, while Andres Sotelo added two hits and two RBIs.
Nicaragua pitcher Nestor Garcia earned the win after allowing four hits and one earned run over 4.1 innings. He also recorded five strikeouts.
For Australia, Jacob Tyler collected two hits, while Cruize Chase-Tukapua drove in two runs.
The match marked the first meeting between Nicaragua and Australia at a WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup in the modern era.
The final day of the Opening Round will determine the remaining Super Round qualifier, with teams competing for places in the next stage of the tournament.
