Australia were looking to continue their unbeaten WBSC U23 World Cup against Argentina, and they did it comfortably, claiming a dominant 15-2 win in Polideportivo.
With that victory, Australia have sealed qualification for the Super Round at the U23 World Cup, guaranteeing a top 6 finish for the second consecutive tournament.
Australia again raced out of the blocks, putting four runs up in the first inning. Guy Edmonds and Jacob Younis both drove in a run each, with Ben Leslie continuing his good form, claiming in a pair of runs from his first hit of the day.
South Australian Chris Horne hadn’t represented Australia at any level before this tournament, but looked totally comfortable in the green and gold. Horne was given the start today and threw five solid innings, striking out five and only giving up four hits.
The fifth inning proved the difference between the teams, with Australia piling on six runs. Jacob Younis began the onslaught with a solo home run, his second in as many days, before a number of walks and singles were capped off by a two-RBI double from the red-hot Aaron Whitefield. Whitefield finished with three hits and four RBIs.
Australia piled on another three runs in the bottom of the sixth, and the game was called off in the 7th because of the mercy rule at the U23 World Cup.
The final opponent in the group stage of the U23 World Cup for Australia is #1 ranked baseball nation in the world, Japan. The game gets underway at 4am AEDST tomorrow morning
To stay in touch with everything to do with the U23 World Cup, head to the Baseball Australia website.
Click here for the full box score.