OSAKA, Japan -- Australia concluded group play just as it began, with a 10-0 blowout win over No. 20 the Czech Republic in eight innings. That win, combined with USA's win over Brazil, means that the team finished in a 3-2 record and third place in Group A, and qualified for the Super Round.
The team's momentum increased over the course of the eight innings today, with Australia scoring in six of the eight innings. The Aussie side got the scoring started in the top of the second inning, when Dean Frew and Tristan King led off the frame with back-to-back singles. Two outs later, Ben Tsui drove in Frew with a single to left field and stole second base shortly thereafter. With two runners in scoring position, Nate Vankan drove in King on a single to first base. After Vankan stole his way into scoring position, Ryan Kift made the score 3-0 with another RBI single.
Australia added to the lead with one run in each of the next two frames, on George Callil's RBI single in the third and Kift's RBI double in the fourth. Two more runs crossed the plate in the fifth inning, driven home by an RBI single off the bat of Jess Williams and a Czech error.
Frew continued his strong day at the plate in the top of the sixth, driving in Australia's eighth run of the game on a double to centre field. He finished the game 3-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Two innings later, Frew picked up his third RBI on a bases loaded walk, making the score 9-0 Australia. King delivered the Aussies' final run of the day later that inning, driving in Mitch Holding on a sacrifice fly to right field.
Rhys Steedman picked up the win, tossing six strong innings and allowing just six hits. Josh Hendrickson and Jack Enciondo each contributed an inning of relief to seal the win.
The Super Round begins play on Thursday, 3 September. The schedule will be announced after the conclusion of the rest of today's games and can be found here.