Heartbreak for U23s after amazing fightback
It was heartbreak for GB U23 in a 13-12 loss to Australia in China this morning.
GB launched an amazing fightback after falling behind 5-0 at the end of the second inning scoring four runs in the top of the third to narrow the gap.
A double by left fielder Charlie Collins got the ball rolling and drove in Ray Mercer and Michael Flaherty.
GB U23s outfielder James Quinn-Irons in action against Australia this morning
A single from Tucker Stockman then scored Wallace Clark and this was followed by a ground out by Max Viera which scored Collins.
Australia then scored five runs in the bottom of the inning but GB showed their fighting spirit with another four runs in the top of the fourth.
Clark’s ground rule double to deep centre field drove in Ben Leid and Ray Mercer and then a single by Collins scored Clark.
GB kept the pressure on Australia when a single by right fielder James Quinn-Irons scored Clark.
Australia hit back with three runs but GB fought back again with four runs in the top of the fifth.
Leid led off with a single up the middle before a double by first baseman Flaherty drove him in from second.
Walks and a hit by pitch put runners on the bases with two outs. Second baseman Viera showed great plate discipline to get a walk which scored Flaherty.
Quinn-Irons then singled to centre field to score Collins and Stockman to reduce the deficit to just one run.
Eddie Taylor came in to pitch in relief, struck out two Australian batters and kept runs off the board in his two innings from the mound.
A scoreless sixth innings set up a dramatic finale but a crucial double play gave Australia an advantage with two runners on base.
Despite Wallace Clark reaching third, Australia got the final out of an amazing game of baseball which showed the character and fight of the GB team who never gave up.
"Wow what a game, congratulations to Australia, they're a very well coached outfit and I wish them success for the rest of the tournament. It'd be easy to look at the outcome and be down but our process has been top notch. Being a champion doesn't mean winning championships, it's a mindset, and these boys and my staff are champions every last man and woman. I feel immense pride to lead this group and can't wait for the opportunity to take on the world number 1 Samurai Japan tomorrow," said Jonathon Cramman, GB U23s head coach.
Tomorrow at 12 noon UK time GB face world number one Samurai Japan.
Games can be watched on Gametime and followed on the WBSC website
All photographs courtesy of WBSC.
