Australia only needs a win this afternoon against New Zealand to seal qualification for the U18 Baseball World Cup in September this year, after defeating Guam 12-1 at Blacktown International Sportspark last night.
Jackson Riley got through six innings of work for Australia, striking out six and only conceding the one earned run. Local Hills lad Liam Holm came in and finished the job for Australia, striking out two in a perfect final inning.
Guam took an early lead in the third, but two quick runs in the bottom half of the frame saw Australia hold a narrow 2-1 lead.
Guam continued to threaten in the fifth inning, however Queenslander Dermot Fritsch turned a fantastic double play to kill the Guamanian rally.
The Australian bats exploded in the sixth inning, with 10 runs crossing the plate, and a number of Australian hitters getting two at bats in the inning. Jarryd Dale continued his incredible tournament, with another two hits and three RBI, while catcher Rixon Wingrove had two RBI from his three hits.
From here, a win against New Zealand seals qualification for the U18 Baseball World Cup, however a loss sees Australia match up with New Zealand again on Saturday, with the winner advancing to the U18 World Cup.