Despite not reaching the second round of the tournament,
Australia’s 2017 World Baseball Classic campaign had a multitude of highlights
and set the standard of Australian teams on the international stage for years
to come.
Australia’s trio of starting pitchers (Tim Atherton, Travis
Blackley & Warwick Saupold) only gave up one earned run across their
combined 12.2 innings of work, while with bat in hand, veteran catcher Allan de
San Miguel was one of Australia’s best, finishing the tournament with team
leading five hits, a .556 batting average and a .636 on base percentage.
The defence of the Australian team also was a highlight,
with only one error (lowest in the pool), and eight runs conceded (equal lowest
in their pool) across 27 innings.
The power of Australia’s hitters also shone through, with
four home runs in pool play, second only behind Japan. Luke Hughes, Allan de
San Miguel, James Beresford and Trent Oeltjen all nailed homers, with Beresford
nailing the first ever Grand Slam by an Australian at a World Baseball Classic
during the team’s 11-0 victory against China.
Australia blooded 11 debutants at the 2017 edition of the
World Baseball Classic, one of which was Tim Atherton who struck out four in
his four innings of work against world #1 and baseball powerhouse Japan.
The veterans of the World Baseball Classic team shone
brightly too, with the two Australian men to play at all four editions of the
World Baseball Classic (Brad Harman & Luke Hughes) both making solid
contributions. Harman finished with a .417 on base percentage and his defence
at short-stop was second to none, while Hughes finished with a .286 batting
average, a home run and a team leading four RBIs.
Australia’s victory over China sees them gain automatic qualification
to the 2021 World Baseball Classic, however a potential debut in the Premier12
tournament and the 2020 Olympic Games loom as Australia’s next assault on the international
stage.