Curaçao raced out to an early three run lead against Team Australia, but once again, the resolve and grit shone through, with Australia eventually running out winners over Curaçao 8-4 in a gripping extra innings encounter.
In his first appearance in national colours, Tom Bailey really found his rhythm after giving up a couple of early runs. The Perth Heat representative gave his all on the mound, retiring 16 of the last 17 batters he faced.
Team Australia manager Jon Deeble was really excited by Bailey’s performance.
“Tom was a little bit nervous but he’s got really good stuff,” Deeble said.
“I think we’ve found something there, this kid can pitch. He didn’t give up a hit through his last five innings and he’s really smart on the mound.”
Australia clawed a pair of runs in the second thanks to a pair of key hits from Mitch Nilsson and Aaron Sayers, both men claiming their first hit and RBI in international competition.
The scoring dried up in the middle innings as both pitchers found their rhythm, however Team Australia veteran Luke Hughes knotted the ballgame at three with an RBI sac fly in the fifth.
Team Australia Manager Jon Deeble always kept the faith with his team.
“No one panicked,” Deeble said.
“We just kept putting pressure on them with timely hitting and solid defence. Even when we were behind, we kept executing and got the job done.
From there, both teams traded runs, with an RBI single from Curaçao’s Mujica in the seventh cancelled out by a clutch Darryl George RBI in the 8th to again tie up the ballgame.
Aaron Sookee entered the ballgame in the seventh and threw strongly, striking out three and only giving up one earned run.
Curaçao couldn’t get the job done in regulation, so both teams entered the 10th with speed up rules in effect. Australia made their most of the extra base runners, with patient at bats rewarded with bases loaded walks, and an RBI single from David Kandilas and a perfect frame from Scott Mitchinson sealing the deal for another tense Team Australia victory.
"Our guys just don’t quit,” Deeble said.
“Whether we’re up or down, we keep playing the game the right way, which is a credit to the group.”
Team Australia resume their quest for Honkbalweek glory against host nation The Netherlands on Wednesday night at 7pm (3am AEST), with playoffs getting underway on Thursday.