The Great Britain Baseball Men’s national team has made history this week, qualifying for the World Baseball Classic for the first time.
Team GB beat Spain 10-9 and now advances to the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Team GB will be joined at the World Baseball Classic, which will take place from 8-21 March 2023, by Czech Republic.
Writing about GB’s qualifying win for British Baseball, Chris Knoblock said:
“In the bottom of the 7th, Wylie singled, and after he was replaced on the basepath by Alex Crosby with a fielder’s choice, Knowles slammed a home run to right field, bringing GB within a run, 9-8.
“Donovan Benoit entered the game in the eight, pitching a pair of scoreless innings, while GB was unable to score in the eight. With two outs in the ninth, and GB down by one, Jaden Rudd stepped into the box, and launched a home run to deep right field to tie the game and send the qualifier to extra innings.
“After Tanaj Thomas held Spain off the board in the top of the 10th, Matt Koperniak took his place at second base under the extra inning rule, advancing to third on a close play at third – while originally ruled out, the call on the field was overturned after a challenge by GB manager Drew Spencer.
“With the winning run at third, GB veteran Alex Crosby lofted a ball to left field, deep enough to score Koperniak, and send Great Britain to their first ever World Baseball Classic.”
Full write-up and more information can be found here.
